Estradiol and Headaches: What Users Say

• mom...
• December 5, 2014

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "A life saver! I was crying all the time, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats. Everything blissfully went away pretty quickly after I started taking 0.5 dose in pill form. At first I noticed a bit of breast tenderness and headaches but after a week or two they were gone. My breasts have filled out a bit which is a bonus! My only regret is that I didn't start this 5 years ago instead of suffering through it. Wonderful stuff!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2019

Estradiol "TEGADERM!!! - won't help with Mylan generic because the patch is horrible - worthless. For years, I've had hormonal headaches. No headaches for 10 years while on the estrogen patch. Headaches were back almost immediately after applying the Mylan patch. Sandoz generic seems to work okay. TRICK!!! I learned as a hospital nurse. Use Tegaderm (clear/transparent film patches). Clean the skin with alcohol and then rinse with warm water, and dry it, warm, and dry the skin slightly with a blow dryer. Apply your patch and hold for 10-15 seconds. Then apply the Tegaderm patch over your estrogen patch. Amazon has all sizes, and it's cheap. So worth it. It keeps your patch secure. My jeans don't rub it off, and swimming or bathtubs are no problem. (Submerged in hot water/jacuzzi does increase estrogen delivery with the patch, and it may not last as long - so I've been told)."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I started having hot flashes that were preventing me from sleeping, and my hair was falling out at my temples, and I had had a headache for 6 months. My skin actually hurt. I read the book *Estrogen Matters* to get ready to talk my doctor into giving me hormones. If your doctor believes the scam *Women's Health Initiative* study that says HRT is detrimental, you would probably find a different doctor. I started out at 0.5 and felt some relief. I moved quickly up to 0.75, more relief, and now I am at 1 mg, and I would say I have almost total relief. Hair is even partly coming back. I have a uterus, and so I am also taking progesterone, and periods are coming monthly-who cares? I sleep again, I have maybe a hot flash a week, and they are mild, and I plan to take this medication forever."

• Tru...
• September 14, 2016

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 50 years old. I had a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy in April and have been suffering wicked hot sweats. I would sweat so badly that my hair, legs, feet, hands, and face would get wet... so disgusting. It would take me a while to dry off. I started this patch on Monday and within 12 hours, I noticed a difference, and within 24 hours, the wet sweats were gone. I have to keep all the fans on in my house and have an industrial fan that I would stand in front of during my flashes. Yesterday (day 2), I did not have to turn on a single fan, and my wet sweats are completely gone. I only had a headache the first night, and now I feel fantastic and normal. I still have the occasional hot flash, but it is short, and I don't break out in a sweat."

• Ann...
• June 2, 2020

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I had a hysterectomy/bilateral oophorectomy in February 2019. Immediately after surgery, I had hot flashes and high blood pressure. I was put on Climara, and everything was better. My employer changed insurance providers 1/2020, and they no longer covered Climara. They substituted Sandoz. I started Sandoz in March 2020 after Climara ran out. I noticed right away that the Sandoz patches do not stick. After being on them a few weeks, I’ve had a 20 lb weight gain, pitting edema in my legs, hot flashes, and headaches. I went to my doctor, and all blood work was normal. Thyroid function is okay. The problem is the Sandoz patches. They are faulty. They curl even under hydrocolloid dressings. The inconsistent hormone level is wrecking havoc on my body. I filed a complaint with Sandoz. I now have to pay $150 for Climara instead of the $25 for Sandoz. If Sandoz isn’t working for you, file a grievance with the company. They are putting out an inferior product. I’m also filing a complaint with the FDA."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2023

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I used this convenient little patch for a week, and I began to experience symptoms related to blood clots: ankles were so swollen, I couldn’t see my ankle bones, so my doctor prescribed compression socks. Other symptoms were dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and headaches. I removed the patch, and within 24 hours, all symptoms disappeared. I’d have ended up in the emergency room if I had kept using this patch."

• kda...
• May 2, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I switched pharmacy and was given the Dotti patch rather than the Sandoz patch like I had before. Immediately, my energy level dropped, chills, headache, and drenching night sweats. This is not for me!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2016

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "After using Vivelle patch for a number of years following a complete hysterectomy, my insurance company refused to pay for it at the same level due to the Mylan generic. Within a few weeks of switching to the generic, I began to develop adverse symptoms (insomnia, breathing difficulties, anxiety, constant headache). When I made the connection and switched back to Vivelle, the symptoms subsided. Unfortunately, my insurance company refuses to pay for the brand name at the same level, but this is not the same drug. Now instead of paying $40 for a 3-month supply, my cost is over $150 to obtain the brand name product."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had a terrible vasomotor reaction. First and last time I used it, after 18 hours, the patch bottomed out, and I started having hot flashes. I was shaking, had a brain-buster headache, and severe nausea. Fortunately, I still had some of my generic Noven patches left over. I ripped off the Dotti and put on the one I usually used, and within 30 minutes, I was fine. Dotti is garbage, yet pharmacies are pushing it right now. Must be getting paid to do so."

• Anonymous
• May 27, 2023

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I normally use Estradiol 50, but had to change to this as it was not available. Not only do they peel off and are incredibly uncomfortable, but for 2 weeks I have been experiencing all the symptoms I started HRT treatment for again: heart palpitations, very low mood, tiredness, headaches, and memory problems, all of which had disappeared when I started using HRT in the form of Estradiol. Something is not right, and these are awful. 0 out of 10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2015

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had a hysterectomy 6 weeks ago. For the first two weeks, I was on Estradiol pill 1 mg. It was horrible, I cried every day, was depressed, didn't eat, and didn't feel like me at all. I felt like a zombie. I wasn't sleeping and had heart palpitations with hot flushes. My doctor switched me to the patch, and I change it twice a week. The patch and pill are like night and day for me. I now feel like myself again and also finally get to sleep. I haven't really had any side effects except for a few headaches the first week. I will stay on this as long as I possibly can. It's working well for me. The pharmacy at first gave me the $15 generic patch, but I returned it for the Minivelle name brand and paid $45."

• Epa...
• June 9, 2009

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I have been on the patch for a month now, and it works. No more hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings. It stays on all week, and the only side effect I have experienced is mild headaches. The convenience of weekly application is great."

• Bik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 24, 2015

For Oophorectomy "Here's what I had done when I was 38 years old, a surgeon removed my ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or BSO. Together with a total abdominal hysterectomy, this is referred to as a TAH/BSO. He left me with a gash about 8 inches long and told me I'd be on HRT the rest of my life, but I would be fine. The one thing I know for sure is I CAN NOT be without medication, believe me, I have tried, and the results are unbearable: hot flashes, insomnia, mild headaches, and the list is long. Started on oral HRT and eventually switched to a patch. The only patch that I have been successful with is the Mylan patch. I use 0.05 mg/day, and if I am consistent, it works well. I am 63, so that's 25 years on HRT."

• kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 6, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Vivelle Dot worked for me for hot flashes, headaches, and general crankiness, but the cost! $144 a month is considerable and annoying, given what it's made of. BTW, these coupon ads do not reflect reality, in that I have taken them to all the pharmacies listed by them, and not once were they worth more than $3.00, and most of the time, nothing at all. I did try Minneville and Estrodal patches, and neither one did a thing for my symptoms, and every time the pharmacist would tell it, 'it's the same thing.' Quite obviously, the generic is not the same thing."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have used a patch for over 30 years with no issues. Recently, when I had my prescription refilled, I was given the Mylan patch. Absolutely the worst results imaginable. The patch will not stay on. I am not getting the medicine that I need. Suffering from hot flashes, headaches, irritability, etc. Cannot get another prescription filled because I can't afford to pay out of pocket, and insurance won't pay for another three months. How this is on the market is a puzzle to me. So very frustrated. Wish I could give it a zero."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2010

Estradiol "My doctor prescribed the Vivelle-Dot patch 1.0 for me right after a total hysterectomy 10 years ago. In recent years, the dose was lowered to 0.075, then 0.05. Two months ago, I stopped taking it altogether without the doctor's permission (my doctor closed her practice). I tried to quit before but was not successful because I always got dull headaches. I was, however, able to stay off of it this time but experienced hot flashes and dull headaches. I never knew what a hot flash was before. I started back on the patch again, and I feel much better - no more hot flashes and headaches. Now, I see that there is even a lower dose, I will ask my next doctor to prescribe me a lower one yet."

• nha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Within 48 hours of putting on the patch at 0.05 mg/day, my blood pressure went up, I had head pounding, anxiety, and headache for 24 hours. I waited another 24 hours and removed it. Between 4-6 hours, my symptoms had completely abated."

• nha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Within 48 hours of putting on the patch at 0.05 mg/day, my blood pressure went up, I had head pounding, anxiety, and headache for 24 hours. I waited another 24 hours and removed it. Between 4-6 hours, my symptoms had completely abated."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "For about 1 year now, I've been taking natural menopause supplements. Unfortunately, my hot flashes and fatigue were still there. I went to a gynecologist, had blood work done, and she explained to me that I am in post-menopause. She put me on the estradiol patch, and after 2 days!! POOF, NO MORE HOT FLASHES, FATIGUE, OR HEADACHES."

• Suz...
• September 24, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Don't think it's for me. I felt okay the first few days, then the patch started to make me itch and wouldn't stick properly anyway. Then, four days in, I got a headache, body aches, and anxiety. They want me to stick it out for another ten days. That is very unlikely to happen at this point. I think I'll try other options."

• Sar...
• June 2, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been on Vivelle Dot for two months now, it was fine until the last few weeks. Constant headache, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas, also slight vertigo. I really thought this was going to work for me. I was on 0.0375, a tiny amount. It’s just not worth it, no night sweats, but not worth the trade-off. Will be looking into another HRT. Very sad. Wish they would make something gentle on stomachs."

• PBa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 14, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "From my understanding with the pharmacy, this is the generic for Climara transdermal patches. I am so allergic to this Mylan patch. Not all generics are the same! This foam patch breaks my skin out with blisters, plus the headaches are unbearable. I am now having to pay out of pocket since my Medicare insurance was billed for this brand that I cannot use. I have been on the Climara patch for years. Now on Medicare, and they only pay for generic. I did find the one made by Sandoz manufacturing, and it works great. But in a small rural town and limited."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 29 years of age and had to have an emergency hysterectomy in 2018. Initially, I was on a hormone replacement tablet, but I had severe headaches and became extremely irritated, frustrated, and aggressive. I stopped taking the pills until I started to notice that I am having muscle pains, bone problems, and backaches. Not to mention the hot flushes and sweats. I went to see my GP for help, and he did some tests, showing that I had postmenopausal arthritis. He suggested I go on the Estradot patches, and in 1 day (my body accepts and rejects medicine very quickly), I feel like my old self. I will definitely recommend this to anyone!"

• 50y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2016

Estradiol for Hypoestrogenism "I used the patch for nighttime hot flashes that wake me up every 2-3 hours. The size was great, and it stuck just fine. That's where the happy union ended. By the second day, the hot flashes seemed to triple, occurring all day and all night. And the flashes were hotter! I also began to have terrible headaches that woke me up earlier than my alarm clock and hung around all day. I never have headaches, so I removed the patch after only 4 days, and the symptoms all went away. Now I'm back to square one, better able to deal with my original symptoms, knowing things could be worse. I'm going to give the name brand Vivelle Dot a try and see what happens."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been using Femring for almost a year now. I have tried estrogen patches, which I am allergic to the adhesive, and had to switch to Divigel, which I was also allergic to its alcohol base and had to discontinue using it as well. I give Femring a 10 for the convenience of being able to use it for 90 days and not have to worry about taking a pill or changing something 2 to 3 times a week. I am not able to remove or insert Femring myself, and I have to visit my OB/GYN every 3 months for her to change it and insert a new one. Also, it is very expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance. It’s over $700 without insurance, and there is no generic. No side effects except for slight headaches when it’s close to changing time. Other than that, I have no hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, etc."