Estradiol Patch for Oophorectomy User Reviews

• SEA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2023

"I'm an RN who has worked in OB/GYN and has used bio-identical hormones and has been wearing patches since having an oophorectomy in 2006. Twice I have tried generic estradiol patches after running out of Vivielle Dot, and just recently ran out due to the pharmacy not sending my Climara 0.1 mg on time. Both have worked very well for me, but they don't sit well if I've bathed or worked out. Tegaderm may be the best answer. Here is my big concern. Each time I have tried the generic (recently) MYLAN brand, which is generic, I've had an instant return of low estrogen migraine with the added side effects of extreme agitation. So it is worse than nothing. Why!!?? If a drug company can't make something that helps them, why make it at all? Furthermore, shouldn't they consider the adage in the medical field 'first do no harm'?? Why is this okay? Shame on MYLAN company. Disgusting. I'm very disappointed. Oh, and to add insult, I wasted $155 dollars-the cost of the med. Beware. Please use brand-name products."

• Ann...
• June 2, 2020

"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."

• Swi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2020

"I have been on the Mylan Estradiol patch only since March 2020 and have patch-sized, round, burn-like spots in every single place I’ve used this patch. The medication itself works fine for me, but I hate the patch! It’s on the larger side and is thick and catches in clothing easily. If it gets wet at all, it’ll peel right off. The material it’s made of holds moisture, and halfway through the week it’s wet underneath no matter how long it has been since I’ve been in the water. I started putting Tegaderm over it first thing, but even still, when I take it off, it’s wet underneath and smells. It is unfortunately the only one my insurance will cover, however, my doctor is working on changing it to a combo patch. Hopefully, insurance will approve it because I’m so tired of this one!"

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

"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."

• KDS...
• October 8, 2020

"After my hysterectomy, I was having post-menopausal symptoms. My gynecologist mentioned options, and I chose the transdermal patch. Initially, I used Climara because the generics were not on the market. Climara was great. Eventually, I was switched to the Sandoz-manufactured patch, which also worked great. This year, my prescription was filled with the Mylan-manufactured patch, and those patches just fall off. It is ridiculous-a HUGE waste of money, plus all of the symptoms returned. So, I asked my pharmacy if they could get the Sandoz brand, but it was on backorder until I believe this month (Nov. 2020). They recommended I check with other pharmacy chains, so I did. I eventually found a pharmacy with Sandoz patches in stock. Each pharmacy that did not have the Sandoz brand told me it was on backorder. So, I was lucky to find a pharmacy that had the Sandoz brand available. As soon as I started wearing their patch again, my symptoms vanished. I do intend to report the Mylan brand to the FDA."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2019

"I cannot believe how terrible this patch is. I was on the 0.05 mg Estradiol Transdermal System by Noven, which was incredibly helpful after the removal of my ovaries at age 31. It eased some of the depression, anxiety, and complete lack of energy. My insurance changed, and instead of being filled at CVS, now I have to go to Walgreens, and this is the new patch. I've been on it 3 days and feeling crazy. It's a large, awkward foam patch that flapped off on the second day. The hot flashes all night are back, digestion issues, crying all day, and the emotional volatility. I'm relieved I found that I am not alone and will be attempting to switch to any other brand."

• Hat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 13, 2019

"I’d been using the estradiol patch (generic for Climara), I think, after reading these comments, for years, but my pharmacy said they stopped carrying it. They didn’t tell me it was discontinued! WHY? It was small, transparent, practically invisible. The Mylan patches I get are white, huge, thick, itchy, and unacceptable! Does any generic drug company make a small transparent patch? I’ve asked pharmacists, and they don’t seem to know."

• Ent...
• January 11, 2019

"This review focuses mainly on the Mylan brand weekly patches as a generic for Climara. They are awful. Cons: They don't stick. They don't deliver a consistent dose of estrogen. They don't appear to deliver the advertised level of estrogen. They are huge. They are thick foam. They are stiff foam. They show underneath your clothes. Pros: They seem to be the only available patch in my local market, possibly due to a surplus because they suck and nobody will voluntarily buy them if given a choice, so they are easy to find. I have been on Vivelle Dot for 10 years with no issues, but switched to a weekly patch for a smoother delivery. I used the Alvogen brand generic for 2 years with no problems but was switched to Mylan 12/2018. My first patch fell off in 24 hours. My second patch stuck, but I was experiencing non-stop hot flashes. I decided they sucked and drove 45 minutes to the nearest pharmacy that still had a box of Alvogen brand. My symptoms stopped within an hour."

• CoC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2019

"My new doctor switched me to this massive thick sponge from Depo Estradiol that I had been using successfully for years. I now have constant asthma and horrible hot flashes, can't sleep, and am exhausted all the time. I took it off last night, and lo and behold, for the first time in a month, I woke up without asthma! The Depo never gave me asthma. As an aside, when I opened the first one, I honestly could not believe what I was seeing. It is ridiculous. Thick, huge, ugly. It really is the dumbest, cheapest hunk of garbage out there. Mylan, you can do better!!"

• CeC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2019

"Was on pills from 2002 to 2009 when I had a gallbladder removed - suspected the estrogen pills were involved. Switched to a patch - Vivelle 2/week and did fine until insurance pulled me off in 2018 mid-year - switched to Mylan - which do not work. Went back on Vivelle and all was fine until my insurance again refused and it is costing me $400+/month, so had to go back on Mylan. Started Sunday, and by Tuesday having hot flashes and put on a new patch Thursday (Sun/Th schedule), and by afternoon hot flashes were in full force. Mylan does not work."

• Sun...
• August 23, 2018

"My insurance only covers the generic patches. The first 2 months of use were fine. Then I noticed the patch started to peel up at the corners and the hot flashes were trying to come back. I contacted Mylan since I was due to refill my script. They told me to try the box with the same lot number as before, and if I experienced the same issues, to let them know. I contacted Mylan, Mylan contacted the pharmacy, and Walgreen told the Mylan rep that they already swapped the lot out for me, which they didn't. I called and talked to the pharmacist, and this issue had happened to multiple customers. But the pharmacist should have verified the patient the box was swapped out for, as it was not me. Today I get a letter from Mylan pretty much stating thanks for letting us know, but we don't have a problem. I will not get another refill of Mylan nor ever use another Mylan product. Mylan worked until they didn't, and if you let them know it doesn't, it's you and not their product because they do quality checks."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 6, 2019

"I have been on an Estradiol Patch for 19 years since I had a full hysterectomy and ovaries removed. I have other issues that warrant me to continue to stay on the patch for now. I was lucky the last few years to use the Estradiol Transdermal System 0.05 mg patch from Alvogen filled by CVS Pharmacy. Unfortunately, my insurance has changed and I have to use Walgreens now. They are filling my prescription with the Estradiol Transdermal System 0.05 mg patch by Mylan. Mylan is the worst! With 19 years of experience, it falls off ALL THE TIME! In hot weather, after a shower, just because. I am going to try to find a pharmacy in my network that does not use Mylan brand and see if I can get back to use Alvogen's brand. Alvogen is the best by far. The Mylan brand should be off the market, it is the WORST!"

• Epa...
• June 9, 2009

"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."

• Lou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 9, 2024

"I used Climara for over six years after my hysterectomy/oophorectomy. I routinely applied Tegaderm over the patch each week to aid in adhesion, as the patch often had tiny amounts of glue on the outer edges. When insurance no longer covered Climara, I was switched to Mylan. It was a very large foam-backed circle that simply did not adhere for more than one day. The pharmacist recommended a twice-weekly system by Sandoz - it is great! About 1/3 the size of the Climara patch, its adhesion is so effective I don’t need the Tegaderm anymore! On one occasion it was not in stock and they substituted the twice-weekly dot (even smaller and equally adhesive!) by Grove Pharmaceuticals. I like both! I am on 0.1mg, and am talking with my doctor about starting to titrate off this fall."

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

"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!!!"

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2020

"I was started on an estradiol patch after my hysterectomy. It was working well, and most of my symptoms had disappeared. My insurance made me switch pharmacies, and I was then given the Mylan estradiol patch. I had nothing but problems with it. It would not stick, and my symptoms started returning. I then started having a reaction to the patch. I would get large red welts (hives) where the patch was placed, and they would itch terribly. This is an allergic reaction, not a 'common side effect' like they list it as. I ended up switching to pills that don't seem to work as well as the original patch that I was started on."

• MoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

"I was on the Alvagen patch. Worked like a charm. This past week, my plan/pharmacist switched me to the mongo, tangerine-sized Mylan Estradiol patch. Mylan? All other dysfunctional aspects aside... who would want to wear that thick, monster patch on their skin all day? As it turns out, I'm also really allergic to whatever material gives the Mylan patch such bulk and heft. My skin flared within a day -- and the red, itchy rash lasted a full week, even after I pulled that sucker off. And I reckon that this didn't do much to deliver my estrogen fix, either... Earlier reviewers pointed out that clearly a dude must have devised the Mylan patch, and I can't disagree. A flaming misogynist, I suspect. :) Avoid."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

"Been on Mylan Estradiol transdermal 0.1 mg for 4 months. Apparently, it's the generic version of Vivelle Dot. Well, it's been great in handling the symptoms of surgical menopause. No headaches or migraines, no more brain fog, lots of energy. However, I have gained weight, have trouble sleeping (never had that issue in my life!), and feel like scratching my skin off everywhere I affix the patch. No matter how dry my skin is, this large, thick, ugly patch has trouble sticking, and moisture always gets under it. I end up with an angry, itchy red ring that lasts for a week after it's gone. So I'm switching to name brand Vivelle Dot. I hope to get the same benefits with a smaller, less ugly patch, and hope it resolves the irritation!"

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

"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."

• AG ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2018

"It had already lost its adhesive before I attempted to put it on. When I put it on, 1/2 was transparent and the other 1/2 stayed clouded. I was on this for ovarian/ovaries removed (oophorectomy). I was a crying mess after day 3. These patches do not work. We called the doctor to get a different kind. I'm sweaty, I'm irritated. Just not good medicine."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2021

"I have been on the Mylan brand of Estradiol weekly patch for a few years. In the last month or so, I have started getting one large welt under the patch with extreme itching. Even after I take it (or it falls off) and wash the area well, I still have the welt and severe itching for at least another week. I have tried taking oral allergy medication to help the itching, and it has not helped. One time, when the patch came off, I got the welt in exactly one-fourth of the area of the circle. Just like a clock face with the welt between 12 and 3. This does not appear to be a typical allergic reaction. I was an RN and am familiar with skin reactions. I have called the FDA about this, and I am completing an adverse reaction report for this product. (FDA.gov/medwatch). If the FDA does not know about this, they cannot do anything about it!"

• Haz...
• July 26, 2021

"I was switched several years ago from Climara to Mylan brand. I have found it does not stay in place well, leading to skin breakdown and waste of product. It is foam-based and larger than the Climara patch-this prevents adequate adhesion to the skin, allowing sweat to form underneath. It’s frustrating and uncomfortable. It takes my skin approximately 3 weeks to recover from itch/rash and associated redness."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2018

"I have used this transdermal patch for nearly 3 years after my complete hysterectomy. I have not had any side effects, nor have I experienced any menopausal symptoms. These patches are quite large, and I would like to see the manufacturer develop a smaller patch. I have only had a few instances where the patch came off on its own, but at the time, I was doing quite a bit of water activities while on a beach vacation. The sticky residue left behind after removing is rather annoying, but it helps to use an alcohol swab to get it off. Overall, I have been happy with this patch, but would really like it to be much smaller in size."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2022

"Had the Doti patch, which worked wonders, then my pharmacy stopped carrying it and switched me to Sandoz without notice. I wasn’t happy with the larger-sized patch but needed them, so I kept them. From the first Sandoz patch, I noticed that they weren’t adhering as well and didn’t want to stay on. Then, a couple of weeks into them, I started getting the occasional night sweat. A month into them, and I can tell my hormones aren’t staying consistent, as I’ve become emotional and started having bouts of crying. My skin is drying out as another indicator that these aren’t working properly, and my libido is all over the place."

• sad...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2021

"The Mylan patches caused welts, itching, and scars on me and often did not stay on for 3.5 days. The Sandoz patches worked better than the Mylan, but I cannot find a pharmacy that carries them. I've called all pharmacies near me, including grocery stores and big box stores. The Dotti patches cause itching and discolor my skin but are preferable to Mylan patches. I had used Minivelle and Vivelle-Dot for close to 10 years, and they worked great without any skin issues, but unfortunately, I cannot afford those brands now."