Estrogen patch shortage as demand for menopause hormone therapy grows
CNN • • health
Key Points:
- Women in the U.S. are facing shortages of estradiol patches, a key hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms, leading to difficulties in accessing consistent treatment and causing a resurgence of symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia.
- The increased demand for estrogen patches is attributed to greater awareness of menopause care and recent FDA label changes that removed boxed warnings about risks, encouraging more women to seek hormone therapy.
- Manufacturers like Amneal and Sandoz acknowledge supply constraints due to complex production processes and rising demand, with some companies shipping additional products and expanding capacity to address shortages.
- Doctors report challenges in switching patients between different patch brands due to insurance formularies, cost differences, and varying dosing schedules, which can complicate treatment continuity.
