Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms User Reviews (Page 2)

• Mer...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2020

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?"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

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."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 2, 2013

Estradiol "Was on Vivelle-Dot 0.05 plus Prometrium for 4.5 years; felt great. Stopped for 1 year because I worried that being on HRT for 14 years (Prempro for 10 years) total was risky & maybe I was now 'beyond' the hot flashes, etc. Well... I felt lousy the entire time I was without HRT (1 year)... hot flashes, sleepless nights, brain fog, etc. Now I'm back on Vivelle-Dot & Prometrium... feeling so much better! I don't think I'll ever give up this. Plus, the estrogen helps my osteoporosis & vaginal dryness."

• doo...
• April 19, 2021

Estradiol "Sandoz patch... I don't find it effective at all. If I use the whole patch, it's like someone gave me speed for about 4-5 hours, I had a super racy heart, super wound up, then... nothing. The speedy feeling has made me remove the patch. I cut the 0.5 patch in half. It doesn't feel like it's doing anything particularly. Why does the US not sell Estradot? It is made in the US! Oh, and what is it with the permanent red marks???? Take a patch off and there's a red mark that is taking weeks and weeks to go away (if it does at all). It's like it's been tattooed to my skin. In 18 months of Estradot, I never had that problem. I never had a sticking problem or a tolerance problem, just an acquiring problem - which again, is completely idiotic. The boxes I got were labeled right on them 'made in the USA,' but they're sold in Australia. Why can't I get a US-made medication in the actual US??????? And why does it cost me a third to buy it elsewhere than any of these US acquirable patches cost?????"

• mom...
• December 5, 2014

"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!"

• Spi...
• November 21, 2017

Estradiol "I recently stopped bioidentical pellets and decided to try Vivelle-Dot 0.05 mg. It totally stopped my migraines; however, this dose did not help with insomnia or hot flashes, and I suspect my GP will increase the dose. Now, my insurance will not cover the cost at all because I am over 65. Through a friend, I found that the manufacturer Novartis makes this patch in Europe under the name of Estradot. I ordered it online with a prescription. The difference is $32/month compared to $286/month for Vivelle-Dot in the US. When I opened the packet, they appear identical and work the same. Once my dose is adjusted, I think these will be fine."

• A...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2016

Estradiol "I was on the Vivelle-Dot for about 8 years. It took away all the unpleasantness of menopause: the insomnia, the crying, the hot flashes, the dizziness, the panic attacks. And I had absolutely no side effects. Life was great. Then, I stupidly tried to use something different in order to save money (the estradiol pill) and all the menopause horrors came back, along with new ones (nausea, acid reflux, non-stop migraines). I went back on the Vivelle-Dot and felt so much better. Financially, it is a bit expensive, but I switched to the generic by Sandoz and it affects me the same as Vivelle-Dot. Pure bliss."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2020

Estradiol "I just started using the Mylan Estradiol patch after using the gel. I wanted to try something more user-friendly than the gel, though the gel worked well. I have had the same terrible skin reactions to the patch as I’ve seen commented on this site. I called Mylan to file a product complaint and plan to do so with the FDA as well. I will ask my doctor to write for another type of patch."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

Estradiol "I absolutely can't stand the Mylan brand Estradiol patch. For 3 years, I have been using the Sandoz brand and loved it. No issues. In January, when I picked my patches up, I realized the brand was different... okay, no big deal is what I told myself. A patch is a patch, right? Well, it makes a difference. The Mylan comes off in 2-3 days, and I am having to use Tegaderm to keep it on. Then the awful rash that is still on my skin after being off for 4 weeks now. I have searched high and low for Sandoz, and no one carries it anymore. What is a person to do?"

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2025

Estradiol "I'm 56, been postmenopausal since I was 46. I'd suffered such terrible hot flashes since I was 42. I just figured it was par for the course...but the hot flashes were so bad that I'd never had a full night's sleep since they started. Lack of sleep snowballs into a myriad of bad symptoms, brain fog, crappy memory, mood swings, zero libido...etc. I even lost my job because my memory was that bad! This went on and on until I seriously couldn't live like that anymore. So almost 2 years ago, I gave in and talked to my gyno, who immediately started me on the lowest dose Estradiol patch along with a progesterone gel cap. I felt relief after the first week! Hot flashes went away, and I felt like I had my life back. My dosages had to be tweaked along the way. Now the patches aren't strong enough, and I'm starting on a 2 mg estrogen pill. HRT is NOT the horrible drug they assumed back in the 70s. It's a lifesaver! And it's covered 100% by Wellpoint Insurance (NJ Medicaid), so there's no excuse!"

• Lul...
• October 1, 2020

Estradiol "The worse estradiol patch is the Dotti and the Mylan brand. What is going on! Why the sudden shortages in Vivelle dot? I've been on for 20 years. Don't they understand their versions are not working for us? We are trying to tell the manufacturers, but no... no one is taking our advice. I really don't like being at the mercy of them and doctors."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

Estradiol "I'm 58, started full menopause at 56. I started using Climara 25 low dose after suffering nearly 2 years without a restful night of sleep. This patch is like a miracle, 7-8 hrs sleep nightly. I apply it roughly where my ovaries are and it never falls off. Menopause symptoms were ruining my day-to-day life, my internal temperature was always uncomfortable. I feel like a 10kg Gorilla has been lifted off my back. I am generally very sensitive to most medications."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2022

Estradiol "I definitely can tell these patches are not working. I own a pharmacy and can tell you that the entire insurance market will now only pay for low-cost generics, and this is the result...you will get garbage medication. You need to insist that your insurance pay for the brand name."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 5, 2017

Estradiol "I have been using the 0.45/15 patch for 30 years and feel great. I am 75 and I am strong, work out, and look good. Compared to other women my age, no one can guess my age. I attribute my bone strength, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being to Climara. I know that there may be issues for some women, but for me, it has been a lifesaver."

• Maj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2019

Estradiol "I have used the estradiol patch but will probably have to change to something else. I initially did fine and was happy with the patch. However, this past month, something has changed. The patch areas have become itchy, red, and irritated. I called my healthcare provider, she is also on the same patch and has experienced the same issue this past month. Obviously, the Mylan company has changed something...adhesive? Something that isn’t working. I made a call to customer service, and they didn’t seem too concerned. Houston...we have a problem. Mylan...fess up to what changes you made and fix it!"

• nwi...
• February 16, 2016

Estradiol "I have been on the estradiol patch (Vivelle) for three weeks, and I feel like a new woman! Gone are the hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog. Hello energy, I've missed you immensely! I also take 100 mg progesterone at bedtime. This combo is a game-changer! Just wondering why I didn't pursue it sooner."

• NJ ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2015

Estradiol "This refers to the Mylan estradiol twice weekly patches. After 16 comfortable years using Vivelle Dot estradiol patches, I was supplied by Express Scripts with the new, supposedly 'generic' Mylan estradiol transdermal dot patches in the same strength, 0.025 mg. During the 4 1/2 weeks I used the Mylan product, I developed hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and urinary tract infections. I could not understand what was wrong until I recalled that my symptoms began when I started the Mylan product. I found out that Vivelle Dots are still under patent. Mylan patented its own competing transdermal patch in order not to infringe the Novertis patent. It is NOT the same product. A return to Vivelle Dots solved my problem."

• Mrs...
• August 23, 2016

Estradiol "I was caught in a vicious cycle of soaking wet hot flash after soaking wet hot flash, which caused me to become agitated, which caused my heart to race ALL NIGHT LONG, which then caused me to be irritable, and I could barely focus during the day. My doctor started me on the estradiol patch 0.05 mg, and within a few days, I felt like a new person. I now go through the entire night with maybe one minor hot flash, and the resulting anxiety is gone. I sleep now better than I ever have. The only side effect I have noticed is that my breasts are a little tender, but not enough to make me stop. If I wind up gaining a few pounds, who cares, I am a human being again."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2022

Estradiol "Horrible! Like having a cheap crisp packet stuck on your skin - except they don’t stick! Crinkly - sounds like you’re wearing a nappy! Itchy, uncomfortable, and pathetic adhesion. Not sure if they actually help with symptoms as my anxiety and rages are raised by the awfulness of using these patches! No more!"

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2011

Estradiol "Eliminated hot flashes, slept through the night, mood was great, mind sharp, no more brain fog! Lost weight because I am not craving sweets and salty foods all the time. Energy up, feel 20 years younger! The bad part is that it is so expensive, but it has no side effects for me and works quickly. Love it."

• BSB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2017

Estradiol "The Vivelle-Dot 0.05 mg has greatly helped with the symptoms of menopause with minimal side effects. However, every insurance company I have been with these past 6 years has tried to put me on a generic version, which has terrible side effects for me. Reading about other women's experiences with the generic versions, I am not the only one suffering from the side effects of generic brands. Why do insurance companies keep forcing us to use mediocre replacements? Why can't the brand name be available to us at a lower cost? I have to go through an aggravating process to try and get approved for the brand name, and in the end still end up paying full price because it goes against my deductible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2012

Estradiol "I have gallstones. This medication bypasses the liver because it is topical. I also lost 4 pounds after only a week and a half. I started on the lowest dose. Next week, I will try a slightly higher dose. Although my night sweats have decreased, I am still experiencing some hot flashes. Sleeping through the night is great, no more getting up three times to pee. It works great for vaginal dryness and urethral atrophy. Thanks, Divigel!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2015

Estradiol "What a godsend! After menopause at 50, I first thought 'Yes, no more periods!' Then the fun started: night sweats, hot flashes at the worst times like during business meetings. My doctor started me on the patch .50, and within 2 days, it was like a miracle - I could sleep without a towel on my pillow, and the hot flashes disappeared. After a year, he dropped the dose to .375, and it's still working. If you are having to fight the sweats and flashes - talk to your doctor. This stuff works!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

Estradiol "Dotti 0.05 patch claims to be equivalent, but the stated amount of estrogen is less than the estradiol 0.05 patch. Six weeks after I was switched to Dotti by a pharmacy, I had horrible symptoms. Went back on the estradiol patch, and I am better. Safeway, Humana, and Costco are all using the Dotti patch. This patch should be pulled from the market."

• Hap...
• June 12, 2019

Estradiol "Mylan Estradiol Patch 1.0 seems to be ineffective! Suffering from menopausal symptoms due to a complete hysterectomy. Booted off the good stuff... Minivelle. Due to change of insurance, even though I have full coverage! Insurance won’t pay the $450 cost for a 3-month supply. I wonder what’s even on the Mylan Estradiol Patch, is it even real?"