Estradiol and Hot Flashes: What Users Say (Page 3)

• swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was on Minivelle patches for 2 years when my insurance decided they would no longer pay for them. I was given the generic by Mylan, and it is bigger than the Minivelle patch. It helps some. When I was on the Minivelle patch, I was able to sleep through the night and did not experience any hot flashes. With the Mylan patch, I do not sleep through the night, and hot flashes are sporadic. My rating is based off of the Mylan brand. I would give Minivelle a 9."

• 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."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2019

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I did great on the previous estradiol patch! This one almost cost me my job! Angry, crying fits, hot flashes, not to mention the stiffness and itching from the patch! I'm so glad to see others have had the same issues! I want my old patches back!!!"

• Jad...
• June 24, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "My pharmacy replaced my Mylan estradiol patch with Dotti. Within 2 days, I had spotting and then hot flashes. Within a week, I was waking nightly at 4 a.m. and unable to sleep with constant temperature changes during the day. I had two remaining patches of the old brand that I had in my travel bag. I used them, and the symptoms abated. I've had to switch pharmacies, but my ob-gyn was able to help find a provider and specified the brand."

• Jod...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2015

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Stopped getting periods at age 45. Horrible hot flashes all day long, night sweats, dry skin, moodiness/depression/anxiety, painful intercourse, low libido. I was already using Prometrium, but it had stopped helping. Went to the doctor to ask for estrogen. She Rxed compounded bioidentical estradiol and testosterone cream. The testosterone was to help offset the SHBG effects of estrogen to boost my low libido. I have used BHRT for almost a year now, and it completely eliminated every symptom!! I will likely remain on it forever."

• 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."

• smb...
• October 16, 2013

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "At the age of 28, I had a hysterectomy. After years of taking different kinds of hormones, my doctor gave me Femtrace. In January 2013, I was told they quit making it. I have tried several other medications, but nothing works like Femtrace. I have put on 14 pounds, have severe hot flashes, mood swings, joint pain, and do not want to do anything at all. Just do not know what to do."

• Lau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 11, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been using the Estradiol patch, generic for many years by Mylan, and it has worked fine. My pharmacist recently changed to Grove Pharmaceuticals, and it is awful. They don't work, and they don't stick well. Hot flashes are every 10 minutes, and disrupted sleep. I called the pharmacist and requested a special order to go back to the Mylan brand."

• Hou...
• January 18, 2010

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Thanks for everyone's reviews. I have been suffering through so many of the same menopausal symptoms. Had a doctor's appointment today and just cannot take it any longer. Hot flashes, no sleep, irritability, anxiety, heart palpitations, and many more. Excited to give estradiol (mist-spray form) and Prometrium a try... wish me luck."

• 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."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had a total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral oophorectomy in 2/19. I had elevated blood pressure and severe hot flashes, hair loss, and irritability after surgery. My gym put me on a Climara 0.5 mg patch, and it worked to keep symptoms under control. In March 2020, my insurance switched to Sandoz. They are horrible! I’ve gained 15 lbs since switching in less than a month. My belly is bloated, and I have pitting edema in my legs and feet. The patches do not stay on! I’m a nurse, and I’ve used all of my tricks to keep them in place. I tried putting Tegaderm over it, only to have the patch scrunch up under the Tegaderm. My blood pressure is elevated, and the hot flashes are back. I would not recommend Sandoz."

• Gai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2021

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "Been using this patch for almost 20 years now. It has helped me tremendously! No hot flashes! No weight gain! No bad mood swings. After my surgery when I was 29, this patch has made my life through the years so much better. Thankful us ladies have this when our bodies can't make what it needs to."

• Kat...
• January 3, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I love Climara, it has saved my mental health by reducing night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety to almost nil. I use the .05 patch and only had to pay a copay through my HMO, so worth it. I gave it an 8 because of issues with it staying on. I lived in California with hard water, and it stayed for about 4 days if I put it on right after a shower and also used a bandaid over it for the last 3 days. I moved to Texas and only brought 3 months' worth. Here, I can't get it to stay past one or 2 days unless I apply a large bandaid at the beginning, and even still, only 3 to 4. I think it's because the water is soft and just takes the sticky right off. Or maybe because of the humidity, but I worked out twice a day in California and still didn't have this problem. Don't know what I will do in the future as I can't afford them without insurance... maybe Mexico. Lol! I will try the surgical tape and see if it can stand up to the soft water."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 49, peri-menopausal, and I was having hot flashes, but the worst part was the depression and moods of sadness and zero energy. I’ve been on the generic version of the Minivelle patch for about a month, and I feel a lot better already! I’ve had a couple of breakthrough hot flashes, but the depression and moods have improved greatly!"

• Fee...
• March 21, 2008

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "After 3 years of using the generic Estradiol patch, I cannot imagine life without it! First year of use, experienced an average of one hot flash a month, very few night sweats, and no more mood swings. The following year, put on a lower dose and haven't had a hot flash in over a year. Drastic improvement in my quality of life."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been using this product for 6 months, and it alleviated all my menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, restless leg, leg cramps, crankiness, and sleep problems. I felt like my old self again and slept like a baby. I had problems at first with getting the patch on, but I finally figured it out. At the beginning, I would put a tegaderm on top of the patch to keep it on. Now I don't need that. I do use bar soap and do not moisturize that area. Lately, I am starting to get my leg cramps and restless leg back. Not sure why. Will need to go back to the doctor."

• Buf...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 24, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Vivelle Dot worked great, but insurance stopped covering. Generic was okay until the last few months when Mylan was the brand I was given. It doesn’t stick well at all, and I’m having open blisters and redness that are painful and itchy. I’m not using them because I’m afraid of getting an infection. I’m also getting hot flashes and night sweats after 10 years without them. I called Mylan but still need to fill out the extensive paperwork for the customer complaint. Tried to get Vivelle again, but it would be $500 a month. I don’t know what to do. I really need the bone benefits from estrogen and don’t absorb oral meds well."

• ndk...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 16, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have used Femring 0.05 for many years. After my hysterectomy, I used estradiol tablets, but they really didn't work well, and I didn't like taking oral hormones. So, my doctor recommended Femring. What a difference, no more hot flashes, no night sweats, no moodiness. My insurance covered it, and yes, there is a high co-pay, but my sanity was worth it. THEN, out of the blue, with no warning, I go to refill it last December (2021), and BCBSTx took it off their formulary list completely. So, I tried suppositories, then eString. DIDN'T WORK. I called and called, and finally BCBSTx said I could appeal and possibly get it covered. I had to have my doctor document on a special form, submit WITH my patient notes stating when and what other meds were tried. It took 5 months! So, I ended up paying full price for one cycle. Then HALLELUJAH, it was approved. There is a coupon to help with co-pays, but only if you have prescription drug coverage. I'm going to try to use it this month."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

Estradiol for Primary Ovarian Failure "It's rather early for me to be rating this product considering it has been just under 2 weeks since I started it. However, I am very pleased with it so far. I was on Vivelle Dot for about 4 months, and after the first month, all my symptoms came back. I have just started this patch, and so far it is wonderful! I feel a million times better, my hair is better, no more hot flashes, and I'm starting to sleep again! The only complaint I have is that the patch is HUGE, and it's thick and beige rather than small and clear like Vivelle. But at this point, I could care less what it looks like as long as it works!"

• VNi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2017

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was on this for 3.5 months as directed, and it literally did not work at all at any dosage. I started with one spray, graduated to two after a few weeks, then three after about 8 weeks. It didn't seem to diminish my symptoms at all. I was having several hot flashes an hour and terrible insomnia. I switched to a patch 3 days ago and haven't had one hot flash, and I've been sleeping more soundly. Wish this could have worked for me. I'm not sure if it has to do with how thin my forearms are? No idea, but it was like I used nothing at all."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been using the Vivelle Dot for many years. It was a godsend... a true miracle, and I loved it. Then, out of the blue, my insurance substituted the Minivelle patch for my Vivelle. Within a couple of weeks, my hot flashes and irritability came back... my quality of life was awful! Needless to say, I went back on the Vivelle patch, and life was good again. Personally, I will never use the Minivelle again."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2020

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have horrible hot flashes! Turning 61 this year. I wanted Climara, but insurance didn't pay for it, $100.00... no, can't do that! I got Sandoz 0.0375 mg. Love everything about them, they are thin, they stay on, but I still have crazy hot flashes like 3-4 an hour. I'm supposed to put on twice a week, putting it on my calendar now! Maybe it will get better!"

• Tan...
• February 27, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Mylan patches are too big, gave me a bad skin reaction, and they just don't adhere to the skin. Alvogen was the best for a reasonable copay ($10.00)... now I can change to Climara, but it will cost $48.00 copay... I'll go broke! I'm going to try the Minivelle w/a ($10.00 copay). Hopefully I have success. I hope it works! I don't want to go through that hell again. Anxiety, depression, heat flashes, and fatigue. If not, I'm going to go to Climara and go broke."

• Joy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 28, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I used the Femring for over 6 years, with almost fantastic results. It was so easy to forget it was there. Took care of the hot flashes immediately, thank heavens, but still needed to use Premarin cream on occasion for a vulva itch. Problem was my insurance just kept upping my copay, then finally just quit paying for it, which made the price over $700, which I refuse to pay. Now I started using Imvexxy and not thrilled so far. Thank God the itch has disappeared, but the hot flashes are back with a vengeance! Still waiting for my body to adjust..."