Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms User Reviews
Brand names: Estrace, Estradiol Patch, Estrogel, Dotti, Climara, Divigel, Vivelle-Dot, Lyllana, Femring, Minivelle, Estraderm, Delestrogen, Alora, Depo-Estradiol Evamist Elestrin Menostar Estra Pellets …show all brand names
Estradiol has an average rating of 5.6 out of 10 from a total of 413 reviews for the treatment of Postmenopausal Symptoms. 45% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 41% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Estradiol
- 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 a coupon 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."
- 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Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "So first, the information is outdated on the risks and more than likely based off of the WHI study which ended up not being accurate.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 0.75 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 the area with alcohol, and then drying on a low setting of a hairdryer, then sticking it 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 the estrogen patch. And there will always be negative reviews first. I want women to have a positive review that doesn’t terrify them."
- 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."
- 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."
Are you taking this medicine?
- 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)"
- Patch...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- April 6, 2024
Estradiol Patch (estradiol) "I suffered premature ovarian failure where my hormones fell off a cliff; hot flashes, night sweats, migraines, mood changes. I was prescribed 0.0375 mg patches 2x week (along with a low dose progesterone pill to balance), and the Sandoz brand filled by my pharmacy worked wonders right away. I’ve used it now for 8 years, been very comfortable on it, have regular screenings that are good. I’ve never once had a patch come off (and I’m a swimmer). The pharmacy filled once with Grove Pharmaceuticals brand and my skin got very dry and irritated, so I asked to fill again with Sandoz. My insurance doesn’t cover prescriptions, and patches are pricey, but coupons cuts the price by more than 65% and pharmacy always accepts them (just pulled up on my phone). Hope someone finds this helpful, and best wishes."
- 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 70s. 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 doctor has mentioned this. I do not agree with this recommendation and am looking for a new doctor. The doctor who prescribed Divigel is retiring. I don't mind taking a lower dose, but when everything is going 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 70s 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 her 60s. So that is my story for now...Divigel has saved my life after a hysterectomy in my 40s 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 boss's office! I tried so hard for so long to do nothing and let it run its 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!"
- 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 on 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 it's 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!"
- 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."
- 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."
- DOTTI...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 28, 2022
Dotti (estradiol) "My plan stopped paying for the brand Vivelle Dot, and I was switched to Dotti. The round patch seemed nice, but OMG, major vasomotor symptoms, which I hadn't experienced in years. Wish the FDA would have more oversight on the quality of these offshore generic products. All generics are not equal!!!"
- Thought...
- November 8, 2020
Vivelle-Dot (estradiol) "I would not recommend generic estradiol patch by Mylan. It is a total waste of money. I was given Vivelle-Dot after surgery. It worked great, the brain fog and the mood swings disappeared. I could tolerate myself and my family. My husband and kids would tell me that I seemed happier. I really felt like a brand new person. Over the years, the cost, even with insurance, just gradually went up and 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 I had to tape it on. The feelings of being on edge, anxiety, mood swings, anger, fatigue, and 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 doctor put brand name only so the pharmacy will fill it, and I have to pay out of pocket for them at $206 a box. The pharmacist keeps 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?"
- Jay
- October 14, 2020
Climara (estradiol) "First of all, I think I live in a lucky country, Australia, and only pay $22 for a 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 for 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!"
- 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."
- 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."
- Ihate...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 14, 2021
Dotti (estradiol) "At the start of this year, my pharmacy began sending me Dotti patches instead of the ones I had been using. Gradually, my symptoms reappeared: unprovoked bouts of anger and irritability, mood instability, hair loss, and 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."
- 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?"
- 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."
- Shaz
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 15, 2021
Estraderm (estradiol) "Absolutely awful. This patch comes off after 24 hours 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."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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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 do that to 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!!"