Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms User Reviews

• lorib...
• February 19, 2016

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "this medication saved my life...I actually like the mylan better than the vivelle as far as the way I feel, the vivelle caused sinus problems and gassy bloat, the mylan product did not for me, however the mylan product doesn't stick as well or last as long....OVERALL: I love estrogen replacement and it is a TRAGEDY that women are suffering and their docs are not offering HRT when it is now proven that HRT prolongs life and has a protective influence on heart, bones and brain. I want to tell every woman out there do not be a hero, do not suffer, and do not be afraid. estrogen is good for you and can give you your life back. why do none of the women I talk to know this? crime!!"

• JDL
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2023

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "So first, the information is outdated on the risks and more than likely based off of the WHI study which ended up not being accurate. So please find a good doctor who is knowledgeable. Second, I use patch .75, for perimenopause. I change it every three days so if it’s not working for you make sure you have a high enough dose, make sure you’re also using progesterone if you have a uterus, and make sure you give yourself at least 8 weeks for your system to adjust. If it’s not sticking, switch brands and require they fill that brand. I have learned that changing in the morning BEFORE my shower, wiping area with alcohol, and then drying on low setting of hair dryer then sticking on. Yes you’ll get the ring around but to me that’s whatever if it makes me feel better. You can try a tagaderm patch over, just slightly bigger than estrogen patch. And there will always be negative reviews first. I want women to have a positive review that doesn’t terrify them."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 10, 2024

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "I used Vivelle patch for years until it was discontinued. Then, with research, I found that Estradiol by SANDOZ is a generic for Vivelle. I use the 0.05 mg every 4 days and I am pleased. I apply the patch at night and take my shower in the morning, and have never had one fall off. I am 77 years old now, and I have been using it since I turned 50. My Medicare D has never covered it, so I use Good Rx and pay around $78.00 for 3 boxes of 8 patches. I am healthy, take no other medications, my weight is good, and my skin gets compliments on looking healthy. That is my personal experience, I hope it helps someone. PS: This HRT helps me sleep well."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2014

Estrace (estradiol) "Love it, no hot flashes or mood changes and feel like having sex again. Breasts have enlarged but are not painful. Taking 1 mg tablets, hope I never have to give up my wonder pill. Have been taking it for years and I am 70 years old."

• Khatg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "I've been using these patches for several years now. They work much better than the pills did. Once in a great while I would have one unstick a day or 2 early, so I would just replace it with the next one in the box. But due to the pandemic, I got a 3 month supply, and they are drastically not sticking (even after 4 days), and I am short 2 weeks before my insurance is willing to refill my script again. And my last one completely fell off this morning! Mylan needs to get a better adhesive for these. (I would give the drug a 10 rating if it stayed on)"

• Donna
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "The Sandoz brand estradiol patch is absolute garbage. It stops working for me after about 6-8 hours, and it's supposed to last 7 days. My gyn told me to prep skin with acetone ( !!! ) and to dry skin with hair dryer then apply patch and hold 10 seconds. Women deserve better than this rubbish - in all forms, from having to apply acetone to skin, to patches that don't live up to what they're supposed to do."

• Ray
• August 22, 2020

Divigel (estradiol) "I have used Divigel for many years and am now in my 70's. I am in good condition for my age. I am active taking care of my house and yard, feeling good and sleeping well. My new NP gynecologist says I have to go off the Divigel because I am on Eliquis for AFib and the two are at odds with each other. No other dr has mentioned this. I do not agree with this recommendation and am looking for a new doctor. The dr who prescribed Divigel is retiring. I don't mind taking a lower dose but when everything is doing well WHY do I stop the med that saved my life? I'm mad and I'm not going to take it. Just because you are in your 70's does not mean you should dry up and die. I think that the NP was mad that I looked so good for my age...she was in 60's. So that is my story for now....Divigel has saved my life after a hysterectomy in my 40's with ovaries remaining. I had menstrual problems all of my life until the surgery and subsequent Divigel HRT therapy."

• Dish
• January 29, 2014

Climara (estradiol) "Insomnia, night sweats, moody, uncontrollable crying in the bosses office! I tried so hard and so long to do nothing and let it runs it's natural course. If I didn't work and could take naps, I'd still suffer and deal with it. Not the case. Have to be on my toes at work. Quality of life was bad. Climara saved my life. It was a tough decision but I tell you, it works. I feel human again!"

• PitBull...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

Dotti (estradiol) "This experience has been extremely unpleasant. All of my cardiac, vaginal, urinary, sleep, agitation, and hot flash symptoms have returned. I strongly believe that this medication should not have been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The Prescribing Information says that "No studies were conducted," yet the medication uses a different adhesive to hold the micronized estrogen and has smaller dimensions than Vivelle Dot. As a retired pharmacist, I am angry that I am having to go through this situation again. It is frustrating that despite the ratio of surface area, mg's in the "glue," and dose being a 1:1 relationship, this medication was still allowed on the market with all of these differences. I have already made a formal complaint to the FDA, and I encourage others to do the same. Please call 1-800-FDA-1088 or report online at accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/. The struggle is real, and action needs to be taken."

• Momma...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 13, 2017

Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) "I experienced an extreme menopause at 50: hot flashes, crying, brain fog, night sweats for 4 years. My female GYN would not prescribe HRT. My family committed me to a mental institution. I refused to take psych drugs. Afterward I followed up with a neuro-psychologist who agreed to have my primary care Dr. prescribe Vivelle.dot. Increasing it to 1.0 relieved me of all those horrible symptoms! I have used it for 5 years along with generic (TEV) premarin. A book which saved my life (besides THE BIBLE) is "OUTLIVING YOUR OVARIES" by Dr. Marina Johnson. She rescues women in menopause and men in andropause through hormone replacement therapy! I gave copies to several doctors and stressed to them the NEED for classes on menopause!"

• Donna
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "Following up to my August 5, 2020 review of the Sandoz patch. My gyn switched me to a twice weekly patch - Mylan. This brand is worse than Sandoz. I applied a patch Friday night, and by Saturday evening I was sweating profusely. This is the second week on the Mylan patches. Again, women deserve better than being Guinea pigs for cheap drug companies."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "Used Sandoz brand for the first 8 estradiol patches. No problem. Pharmacy switched to Mylan, a horrible experience. I use twice a week. After the first 2 days, it starts to itch and turn red. Burning sensation by day 3 and its hard to remove and leaves deep red burn marks and continues to itch for a week. Marks remain on my body for over a month now. Not recommended!"

• DOTTI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2022

Dotti (estradiol) "My plan stopped paying for brand Vivelle Dot and I was switch to DOTTI. The round patch seemed nice but OMG major vasomotor symptoms which I hadn't experienced in years. Wish FDA would have more oversight on the quality of these offshore generic products. All generics are not equal!!!"

• Sylv
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

Estraderm (estradiol) "Avoid! Absolutely terrible patches. They don’t stick at all, had to use tape to keep them on, and then they came off in the shower. Had to reapply a new patch every day until I got hold of a different brand. This product should be taken off the market."

• FLKat
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2013

"Estradiol oral 5mg is the best decision I could have made. It was with much consideration due to all the bad press for hormone replacement in the past decade. I work full time, have a home and a life, I had to find something, nothing "natural or organic" was working. I started suffering night sweats 5 years ago, daytime hot flashes began 3 years ago. I was not sleeping through the night, tossing off the covers then putting them back on. I was exhausted, moody, and snarky. Within a month of starting Estradiol, I was sleeping soundly, the hot flashes were manageable, and not nearly as frequent. I'll use it for a year as prescribed and then take guidance from my doctor, but I truly am a new person."

• Thought...
• November 8, 2020

Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) "I would not recommend generic estradiol patch by mylan, it is total waste of money. I was given Vivelle dot after surgery. It worked great, the brain fog & the mood swings disappeared, I could tolerate myself & my family. My husband & kids would tell me, I seemed happier. I really felt like a brand new person. Over the years the cost even with insurance just gradually going up & now my insurance doesn't pay at all. So the pharmacy switched me to (mylan) the generic. This patch wouldn't stay on for more than a couple of hours before having to tape it on. The feelings of being on edge, anxiety, mood swings, anger, fatigue & hot flashes were unbearable. Vivelle dot by Novartis is the only one I have found that I can take. I'm now having to have my Dr put brand name only so the pharmacy will fill it & I have to pay out of pocket for them at 206$ a box. The pharmacist keep trying to switch me back to generic, I keep telling them it's like throwing money away if it doesn't work."

• Hrm
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "Absolutely AWFUL!! I have been prescribed Estradiol Patches made by Sandoz and I am supposed to keep it on for a week. I maxed out at 6 1/2 HOURS ....they are truly worse than generic cartoon Band-Aids that are overpriced & don't stick! How in the world did these ever pass quality control from the FDA?!?! A total rip-off!! I clean with alcohol, let air dry, used tape and they still come off. ANY amount of perspiration will make them bubble right off. Sorry, but we all perspire EVERY SINGLE DAY! How was that little tidbit overlooked?"

• Mert
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "I’ve used lots of different patches over the years. My favorites have been the Vivelle Dot and the Sandoz patch. The Mylan estradiol patch is worthless - you’re supposed to wear it a week, but it only stays on lasts a day or two, it smells, and it causes skin irritation. Unfortunately, it’s the only one that I know that my insurance will pay for. I’ve been using Sandoz, but have to pay $65 a month for it. Does anybody have a suggestion on a patch estrogen that Priority Health pays for?"

• Jay
• October 14, 2020

Climara (estradiol) "First of all I think I live in a lucky Country Australia and only pay $22 for 1 month supply and that’s without insurance. I found clear adhesive surgical patches and whack em over the top and it does the job. Mine stays on all week. I do find by day 5 and 6 it’s wearing off, I’m an emotional wreck. I’m on 50 so might have to change it by day 4 or get a higher dose. Only been on the patches 8 weeks and if I don’t get this dosage right I might end up doing time lol.. All I know is in my next life I want to come back as a man!"

• KLS
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2023

Dotti (estradiol) "Dotti is horrible! Don’t let your pharmacy give you this junk. Rite Aid started substituting Dotti for my normal twice-a-week Sandoz patches, and within a couple of weeks I was back to urinary urgency and incontinence - my main reason for starting HRT. Everything had been going wonderfully with Sandoz. For what it’s worth, I checked the labels on both Sandoz and Dotti 0.05, and they actually are NOT equivalent in the amount of estrogen (estradiol) they provide! Sandoz provides .78 mg of estradiol per patch, Dotti provides .627 mg per patch. How can they be classified as equivalent?! Total rip-off and the FDA should do something about this."

• Shaz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

Estraderm (estradiol) "Absolutely awful. This patch comes off after 24hrs and it’s meant to stay on for 3 days! I’ve had different brands of patches and they’ve been great. How this made it to the market I don’t know"

• popatya
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2013

Estradot 50 (estradiol) "I started this medication and within 2 weeks my life changed, just feel so good, feel like 13 again, no hot flashes, my appetite returned back, my hair texture feels good, it's all good, heaven sent, amazing, highly recommend, just worried about long term use."

• Tiger
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2020

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "I was put on the minivelle patch several years ago. It worked great. A year ago my pharmacy changed to this estradiol patch made by Mylan. I didn't notice until I used it. The patch does not stay on, but the worst part is what it does to my skin. I have horrid red patches that hurt and itch. And, they do not go away. Now I am having trouble finding a place to place the patch because I am covered in the scars from using this brand. I use CVS pharmacy. they told me they cannot get the patch which is why they switched to Mylan. I am contacting Noven to see what is going on. I see my doctor next month. I cannot continue using this product. It is horrible."

• Ihate...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2021

Dotti (estradiol) "Start of this year my pharmacy began sending me Dotti patches instead of the ones I’d been using. Gradually my symptoms reappeared: unprovoked bouts of anger and irritability, mood instability, hair loss, extreme skin dryness. Then came bouts of darker depression. I wondered if it was the change in patch manufacturer, but brushed it off. Then came the hot flashes, and the night sweats; these progressed to full on night drenching. Finally I knew this wasn’t normal, began researching, and that led me to this review site. I am so grateful other women are reporting this, because I was starting to think I was crazy! Thank you to the women who took the time to post experiences here. I just picked up patches from my old manufacturer, thankfully, and slapped one on. For years, the other manufacturer gave me relief. I’m so happy to be back on that. Dotti was completely ineffective for me."

• doodl...
• April 19, 2021

Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "Sandoz patch... I don't find it effective AT ALL. If I use the whole patch it's like someone gave me speed for about 4-5 hours it had a super racy heart, super wound up, then.. nothing. The speedy feeling has made me remove the patch. Cut the 0.5 patch in half. Doesn't feel like it's doing anything particularly? WHY DOES THE US NOT SELL ESTRADOT? It is MADE IN THE US! Oh, and what is it with the PERMANENT red marks????? Take a patch off and there's a red mark that is taking weeks and weeks to go way (if it does at all). It's like it's been tattooed to my skin. In 18 months of estradot NEVER had that problem. Never had a sticking problem. Or a tolerance problem, just an acquiring problem - which again, is completely idiotic.. the boxes I got were labeled right on them "made in the USA" but they're SOLD in Australia. Why can't I get a US made medication IN the actual US??????? And why does it cost me a third to buy it elsewhere than any of these US acquirable patches cost?????"