Estradiol and Hot Flashes: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2019

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Really smells like sunscreen spray. I switched to compounding pharmacy estrogen back in June because of an Estrogel backorder, and it didn’t work. My doctor gave me a sample of this. Using 2 sprays because I was having severe hot flashes. I don’t know how long it’s supposed to take before those get better, but 4 days in, they haven’t gotten better yet, and I smell like I’ve covered myself in unscented sunscreen. Bleck."

• Hap...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 24, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been on estradiol for probably 10 years. Years before, I had a hysterectomy but kept ovaries. Eventually, I started getting hot flashes, and my doctor put me on the Vivelle patch, which included coupons for a reduced price for the first year. Then, a dramatic price increase. When I told my doctor, he was surprised but said I could use a pill instead, which is drastically cheaper. I did and have had no negative impacts at all. No weight gain, and I feel great. Due to concerns about the length of time I have been on the drug, I started thinking about going off. After doing research and discussing with a new doctor, I have decided to stay on it. Reading all the negative comments about the patches makes me wonder why others are not taking a pill. I found it worked well. I take 0.5 mg daily."

• bev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2023

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I came to this site because I was searching for reviews of this estradiol patch. I felt it was reducing the severity of my hot flashes, but not as much as I expected. Reading these reviews has confirmed my belief that this patch is not very effective. I'm going to search for an alternative."

• Rel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I’ve recently started Estradiol! Not one to generally write reviews, but if I can help someone else in a similar situation that I was, then it’s well worth it. After suffering menopause symptoms for at least four years, I visited my gynecologist, who prescribed Estradiol. I noticed a difference within a week. Sleeping so much better, hot sweats have reduced considerably, aches and pain reduced, concentration and tolerance so much better. Overall, generally feeling more like a normal person again."

• Car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 9, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I’ve been using Femring for many years and absolutely love it. It controls hot flashes, mental fog, irritability, vaginal dryness, and anything else menopause-related. Easy to insert and very comfortable, don’t know it’s there. I’ve tried several times through the years to stop using it and just give my body a break, so far, menopause creeps back."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "I started using this patch after surgery and have used it for 18 months. I just recently started noticing an increase in hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and not being able to sleep. My doctor switched me to Premarin and a capsule for the dryness. I'm 48."

• Est...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2022

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am suffering past 6 years because of peri-menopause, menopause, and now post-menopause symptoms. I have so many hot flashes (I feel too hot and too dry), palpitations, fatigue, etc. Initially, my gynecologist prescribed a generic patch—estradiol transdermal system, USP, twice a week one—0.025 mg, then to 0.05 mg. It was also not working well because its effects wore off within 2 days and I felt different. Then my doctor changed to a once-a-week patch in the same generic version. I felt a little better, but got lots of bleeding on and off, and she increased the dosage to 0.75 mg/day. My other symptoms were 75% better, but bleeding was present. I tried Divigel 0.75 mg/day, that didn’t work. The doctor did an ultrasound and told me my uterus lining is thinner, that may be the reason for the bleeding. I lived with that for 2-3 years. Then the doctor wanted me to try again the 0.05 mg/day patch. This time, other symptoms were 75% better, but bleeding continued. Then I got Climara transdermal system 0.05 mg/day, now no bleeding, 90% of all symptoms gone."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

Estradiol "I have been on the patch since my hysterectomy four years ago. I have gradually decreased the dosage and have tried to get off it totally. I am on the lowest dose now, and after trying another time to stop, I had hot flashes. The only downside to the patch is that it is large and beige, but it works!!"

• Che...
• August 2, 2018

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I tried it for 4 days and couldn't take it, I only used 1/2 (I cut it) because I have had issues with the pill in the past causing weight gain and depression and wanted to start out slow and experiment. Also, my sister's doctor told her to start out with just 1/2, and that worked for her. I thought it might be different now since I am postmenopausal, but it really wasn't that much different from when I used to try birth control pills. My anxiety itself may have lessened, but it basically traded itself for depression, and it did not help my hot flashes at all. Maca and Dong Quai actually work better for me. I had more hot flashes on Climara than off. I slept well the first couple of nights, but last night I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. I removed nearly all of the patch today (I left 1/4 to see if that will do anything, and also I don't think it's good to go on and off abruptly) and am going back to Maca and Dong Quai. Too bad it didn't work for me."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2016

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "A few months ago, my periods stopped, and the hot flashes, night sweats, and crying jags hit me like a swarm of hornets. I knew it would happen eventually, but I had imagined they'd arrive solo, with polite introductions and a getting-acquainted period. But, no. This was a full-bore onslaught. After a few weeks of torture, I bowed down to the pharmaceutical gods and secured a Climara Rx. I'm sensitive to meds, so I cut the patch in half. After just three days, my symptoms were completely gone. Worried about side effects, I removed the patch. Two months later, and I'm still symptom-free. Two days ago, I got my period. Did it forestall my menopause?"

• Lal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

Estradiol for Atrophic Vaginitis "I went into full menopause at 45 due to radiation for colon cancer. I did not know that was going to happen so suddenly. I've been on Estring for over a year with okay results. Still extremely painful intercourse, sweats, and hot flashes. My gyno switched me to Femring this month. Hopefully, it works better for me. I will update in a few weeks and let everyone know how it's working for me. Take care!"

• 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."

• Jan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 29, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Vivelle dot .0375 worked great for me. Then pharmacy switched to Mylan, which was visually similar, clear, small, and 2 x week. Worked great. Not an awful foam. Did Mylan produce two different versions of the patch? Pharmacy then dropped Mylan in April 2021 and now offers Dotti. Same 2 x week, small transparent patch (but with brand printing all over it :( My hot flashes returned! But only with “some” of the patches, so I’m concerned about Dotti’s quality control. Anyone else have issues with Dotti?"

• Nig...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Not sure where to start. Had a partial hysterectomy on 8/20/19. Two weeks after, started the estrogen (estradiol CLIMARA), they stopped most of my hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia with adjustments. I do have issues with it staying on too. But, since COVID-19... my old pharmacy started having issues with filling the prescriptions like it was an issue with the doctor (long story). Anyway, having this happen several times... decided to switch pharmacies. Now, I have started taking the Syndos or Sandos version and now having nausea, night sweats, and insomnia. OMG, no break here... SMH. I have been through some ups and downs with taking both medications. Thinking of asking the doctor for the Milan. It seems to work better for me. Ladies, if you’re going through this all well, keep talking and asking your physician for help! Do not give up!"

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was on Premarin for 20 years, insurance stopped covering, so I was switched to estradiol. The change was horrendous - I lost half my hair, severe dry skin, hot flashes - it is not equivalent to what I was taking. I buy my Premarin from Canada now and feel so much better. The plant-based substitute articles are stating doctors are not keen on them anymore. Ladies, do your research…Canada is an option for what works for “you”."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Dotti estradiol transdermal by Amneal 0.025 is not effective compared to Vivelle Dot or Mylan. My agitation, hot flashes... everything I felt before being on the hormone patch. I’ve given them 6 weeks, and I feel awful."

• oak...
• January 14, 2011

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "After all the unpleasant, typical menopausal side effects, my MD decided to try 'Evamist'.... One spray each night. So, after 1 week, I noticed my hot flashes were way worse and I felt really awful. Took me 3 or 4 days to get back to 'normal'. Now, after suffering for another few months, I decided to try it again. Only this time, start with a smaller dose. I'd spray it on and immediately rub off half of it before it dried. Same reaction as the first try. What a bummer... Any suggestions now? I have tried every pill, cream, gel, acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy treatments with worse side effects than the originals... 8 years of suffering. What next?"

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 26, 2021

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I've been on this Estradiol patch since I had a full hysterectomy in 2003. No issues until my pharmacy ordered the Sandoz patch manufactured by 3M Drug Delivery Systems instead of the one from Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Both are 0.0375 mg/day. The 3M patch is much larger, doesn't stick, causes a rash, causes hot flashes, bad breast tenderness and growth, migraines, and loss of sleep. I had to cut the patch since it was too much estrogen. The Noven patch seems to be identical to Vivelle Dot and works as directed for me. Beware of the manufacturer! I rate 3M a ZERO and Noven a 10."

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2018

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Severe hot flashes and mood swings every time I tried to get off Premarin. My doctor introduced me to the Estradiol Patch, and I love the way my symptoms vanished. My only negative is at rare times the patch will not stay on. If I use a new one, I fall behind in treatments and cannot replace refills within the time space."

• Swe...
• January 2, 2018

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was put on estradiol when I was 38 after a hysterectomy. I had no problems with it. I recently weaned myself off of it. I have felt horrible ever since: hot flashes, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I was on it for almost 17 years."

• kca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2021

Estradiol for Oophorectomy "Sandoz does not work. I am back to experiencing breast tenderness and hot flashes since switching to Sandoz. Sandoz does not stay on for more than two days. You can expect to go through an entire box in only 1.5 weeks. Huge disappointment."

• Anonymous
• February 13, 2010

Estradiol for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I use the vaginal cream. I started it a couple of years ago for vaginal dryness during the menopause transition. I was not properly advised about the dosage - which I had stepped down to 2 mg twice a week, and started to menstruate again. Many tests later, it was determined I was using too high a dose. I stopped for 4 months or so, but have recently restarted at a lower dose. The dryness has improved, but my hot flashes are back. They had subsided when I wasn't using it."

• BXB...
• June 28, 2017

For Primary Ovarian Failure "I am 18 and was diagnosed with primary ovarian failure. The patch is okay, but I don't get enough estrogen and have to take an extra pill every day. At first, I gained weight from taking this estrogen, and I got super moody. I have been able to control my mood for the most part, and I don't think I will gain any more weight. If I forget to put a patch on, my hot flashes get really awful. My periods are now about 4 months apart, and the patch was the safest option in case I try to get pregnant. Overall, the patch is alright. I would recommend it to women older than me."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Gyno suggested using wiping skin with alcohol, then let it dry, then apply patch. Once patch is applied, blow on patch for 15 seconds with a hair dryer. I am on .075, still having hot flashes and night sweats, but it's only been a week."

• pmb...
• November 26, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I've been perimenopausal since I was 24. The patch I wore in my 30s was great. Wish I remembered what it was! This estradiol patch might as well be a placebo for all the good it's done me. Meanwhile, the hot flashes, the mood swings, good grief!"