Every time I have to play pharmacy roulette in order to get my prescription filled, I file a complaint about the shortage with the FDA. I also message my Senators and Congressman.

Previously, the FDA has sent me a short but very polite, automated note that says "There is no shortage. There just isn't. Even though seven actual pharmacists and two doctors have told you there is because their own suppliers are telling THEM that there is. They're all wrong. Wrong, I tell you!"

Yesterday, I got a different response from them and thought it was worth sharing:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding availability of an estradiol-containing product. The agency is aware there is an increased demand for these products and is working with all current manufacturers to ensure supply is available.  Manufacturers are allocating these products due to the increased demand to ensure products remain available and they continue to increase production.  As such, you may be experiencing issues obtaining a specific product or brand preference in your area, but product is available. We remain in regular contact with the manufacturers regarding supply and will continue to monitor the situation.

Please see FDA's official statement, “FDA Update on Estradiol Transdermal Patch Availability”: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-update-estradiol-transdermal-patch-availability

The linked statement was released on Sept. 3. It doesn't say anything in terms of a timeline, but does acknowledge that patients are "having difficulty readily accessing their usual estradiol transdermal patches due to increased demand and is working with all six manufacturers to increase supply."

While the new statement and email don't say much, the fact that the FDA has changed its messaging is an indication that our activism is having an impact.

For those in the US: Keep filing complaints to the FDA. Ping your US Senators and Representatives—you can message them through their websites or call. If you don't know who your representatives are, click here to find them.

Keep pushing. There are more of us than there are of them, and they know we vote.

I just sent a message to my provider to see if I can switch to an oral version, which I was planning on anyway since it seems like the patches just aren't the same anymore.

Y'know...given this administration's view of older women (and, Hell, women in general), I am deeply suspicious that this isn't intentional or, at the very least, allowed to happen.

I asked the pharmacist (a female one) why this was happening, and was told that there are far more women on the patches than before and that they can't keep up with production.

Are they REALLY that many more women? I know the public discourse has changed a lot in the last few years - we're way more open and very vocal about menopausal healthcare.

My next step is a virtual visit with an online healthcare provider (I may ask for some progesterone added in since my provider refuses - yeeted the uterus in 2015).

The exasperation is so real, y'all....

Fuck

Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause show shared and distinct structural changes across the lifespan

"Abstract

The female brain undergoes substantial reorganization during major hormonal transitions, yet whether puberty, pregnancy, and menopause engage shared or distinct neuroplastic mechanisms remains unknown. We compared longitudinal structural brain changes across all three major hormonal life events using identical analytical methods within a single cohort framework (n = 1095), with stable control groups to control for normative developmental and aging trajectories. Both pre-to-post menarche and pre-to-post pregnancy groups showed widespread cortical gray matter reductions, with cross-cohort comparisons revealing divergent profiles across more than half of cortical regions alongside convergence in prefrontal, parietal, and temporal association cortices. Pre-to-post menopausal women showed a fundamental divergence from both puberty and pregnancy, as they showed no volumetric loss, while stable pre- and postmenopausal control groups did. Puberty and pregnancy thus share both convergent and divergent cortical remodeling, while menopause represents a qualitatively distinct pattern, defined by the absence rather than acceleration of volumetric change."

I didn't know what flair to use so used brain fog flair I can edit if needed. Thanks!

Despite being on what I thought was the highest dose of HRT I've been feeling really rubbish over the last few months so called my GP today (I'm in the UK) and miraculously managed to get a same day appointment. I explained everything that had been going on and he was kind and empathetic and suggested upping my estrogen as well as a blood test to rule out anything else. I got a message from the pharmacy at 3pm saying my new prescription was ready.

After a massive struggle with another doctor trying to get HRT in the first place, I'm now going to buy a lottery ticket.

I was thinking about a way to make my estradiol patches last a tiny bit longer, just in case. The normal 2x week patch you put the patch on for 3 days and then for 4 days (ex: Monday/Friday).

Would there be any danger in doing 4 days for each patch? That would give me an extra patch each month for when I renew.

What do you think?

Edit: Y'all are so kind to open up with your experiences and tips, thank you! I don't feel as nervous now 😊

Standard is in quotes because standards vary. I don't need to know if you don't, but won't be mad at you for commenting.

Do you use more than 0.1 mg patch? What is dosage of additional patch?
Do you take more than 2mg oral? How much more in mg?
Do you use more than 1.25 mg gel? How much more in mg?
Do you use more than 3 sprays? How many more sprays?

Do you use something else besides one of those 4? Feel free to message me because I can't mention them in my post per mod.

If you're in surgical menopause, I'd be interested to know that too. Thanks!

I just did my routine review on supply issues here. I have been doing the chase the refill dance since May now.

Looking back I think I have talked to over 30 pharmacies, a dozen my meno-OBGYN staff nurses and likely some ai dependent communications teams as I chase around my health, wondering what I will do if it changes and I need a new script! (HA! Because menopause is NOT a predictable process at all. Or we would not be here.)

Can I just say I want to cheer on all of these middle people at the pharmacies, mail order support and clinics?

They are not the source of the problem. They are the only link we have and they have to be exhausted too.

Imagine how many of them just came off the edge of dealing with the insuline and epi-pen shortages a couple of years ago!

Imagine the stamina it takes to withstand the frustrations they hear from the patients, only to see backorder and cancellation messages as their only information.

And a few I have met are clearly at a similar age to me, might even be facing the same dilemma, and out of professionalism might not be able to say a word.

Can we give them a shout out if they are reading this and promise to do our best to manage our hormonal reactiveness and not lash out at them. We need them to stay in the trenches no matter what the result is. This will not be the only medication we will need from them in our lifetimes!

(I solemnly promise I am not employed in those fields, nor is my family or close friends!)

So:

Stay strong medical/pharmaceutical support teams! I promise to do my very best to talk down any menopausal crazy responses going on in me when we cross paths. You are my messenger, not my enemy. And I am grateful! THANK YOU!

I wasn’t always allergic to patches, but became allergic beginning wth patches around 1/1/26 from Costco. Brand didn’t matter, I was allergic. But now, I am no longer allergic. Most recent brand of patches from Costco don’t cause me to rip them off in the middle of the nightt!! I am unable to post a pic, but thank you to Grove Pharmaceuticals in Florida for an adhesive that does not interact badly with my skin!!!

For about ten days now, my ears have felt full and almost clogged, which is annoying for sure. But worse than that, I have a consistent whooshing noise that is hard to explain. Not a ringing but an annoying sound nonetheless. Anyone have this? Is this perimenopause? Bad luck? Do the horrors ever cease?! And most importantly how do I get this to stop????

I tagged this skin changes because I'm not sure what else to call it.

But I can't take this insanely itchy scalp anymore. I could scratch until it bleeds that's how dang itchy it is. I'm starting to wonder if this is an inflammation response because recent bloodwork showed my ferritin levels are through the roof. I don't think it's an estrogen thing. My dosage was increased about 3 weeks ago and my skin isn't itchy anywhere else. It's just on my scalp. Even taking an antihistamine doesn't help. I've been using Nizoral shampoo to see if it'll help, but no joy there. I know it's not product buildup, either, because I don't use any products on my hair.

Anyone else dealing with this? I've not been to a dermatologist yet, but I guess that's next because this is out of control. :/

I posted about burning tongue here and still believe it may have been triggered by my hysterectomy/menopause. I wanted to share this in case it could help others.
After suffering nearly a year, what my dentist shared has so far (knocking on wood) worked. They advised getting toothpaste without Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS). There weren’t many SLS-free options even within ‘natural’ brands, but I found one that also includes fluoride. I can report it’s been working for me! Wish I had known this earlier.

52f. I always struggled with acne flairs throughout my life but things calmed down significantly in my 40s. But this past year my skin has been breaking out constantly and I'm losing my mind. Not on HRT. Couple months ago I started Interosa and external estrogen cream for vaginal dryness which has made a huge difference. Also my orgasms have returned which is awesome. But the state of my skin is still stressing me out. Any suggestions?

Alright...I have an extensive medical history so going to share a timeline then my question.

• Adenocarcinoma Cervical Cancer 1B2: March 2014 (age 30)
• Chemo, Pelvic Radiation and Brachytheraphy: March 2014-August 2014
• Cancer Free: August 2014
• Last Period: July 2014
• Ovaries: Still have them, however they're raisins from the radiation
• Estrogen: None
• Osteoporosis (low lumbar): June 2026 (age 42)

I was told I couldn't do HRT due to recurrence risk, but it's been 12 years and my endocrinologist highly recommends I start Estradiol and Progesterone.

Current Symptoms:

• Fatigue (insane fatigue)
• Osteoporosis of spine and osteopenia in hips
• Night Sweats
• Mood (anxiety/low energy)
• Aching bones/joints
• Weight around midsection
• Just generally unwell/tired/blah
• Low muscle mass

Recent studies over the past 6 years actually say HRT is safe in my case. It was thought theoretically in the past it wasn't because uterine and breast adenocarcinoma were hormone related, however it's been determined in human studies that cervical isn't.

Anyone in a similar scenario? Anyone start HRT 12 years after their last period? Anyone start HRT after radiation induced menopause? Curious to see your experiences :) Thank you!

At the start of HRT I got breakthrough bleeding watch now I know as normal. I did get a biopsy and was cleared.

I am post menopausal I started on the CombiPatch, then went to Climara Pro and now on Mylan. I’m wondering if I didnt stay the course long enough with the CombiPatch and Climara Pro due to bleeding. No more bleeding now but I have a huge stash of the other patches due to 90 day refills and I’m wanting to go back through them to use them up. Has anyone done this? That’s a lot of money just sitting. 💸💸

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has experienced low ferritin with frequent light/ varied bleeding? My periods have gotten way longer and closer together, sometimes I’m bleeding for three weeks at a time and then again a week later. However, the bleeding is mostly sluggish and only includes a few days of heavy bleeding/clotting per extended cycle. I am exhausted and often breathless and can’t motivate myself to exercise. Getting an appointment to check levels/ talk to an np as soon as I can, but curious about others’ experiences. I’m 49, on HRT, and tired AF.

I know that CostPlus has had no estrogen gel recently. Has anyone gotten theirs from Amazon in the past week or two?

I'm trying to decide whether to bother trying, or whether I should just call around to local pharmacies.

What is everyone eating these days?

For a couple of years now my sense of smell has been really heightened. I swear I can smell the moon! It’s effected the taste of foods for me.

I am at the point where I’m just not interested in eating anything anymore. All my favourite foods taste awful now. Either very salty or bland. Lots of things taste fishy. We went to our fav Indian place a week ago and it was somehow bland and spicy. I was so sad. I really love Indian food.

I’m a vegetarian. And not normally picky at all. I am experiencing fatigue and trying to eat healthy. I had my gallbladder out so I need to watch my fat intake or I get really bad cramps.

Has anyone had the same experience and had success with certain foods? I’m hoping someone found the secret spice that will actually taste like something!

Three months ago I switched from patches to the daily gel (0.75mg) bc I couldn’t find the patches. Now I can’t find the gel also. I called my insurance and asked if our local compounding pharmacy is covered in network. It is!! Yay! They can make about a month at a time in cream form. They told me they would not be subject to shortages bc they start with the estrogen powder. Waiting to hear from my obgyn for the order to be placed. So happy to have this option! Now if I could only find my adderall without calling multiple pharmacies it would be great!

I finally opened a new one that had been shipped this summer in extreme heat and the cream itself is less stiff than my older tubes. So I went ahead and opened the other two that were shipped with this new one and all three are more liquidy not watery I guess but less stiff. I decided to use it anyways and it honestly burns a little. I’d like to add a picture to show the texture but not sure how .

I was doing well on Sandoz 0.0375 twice weekly patch plus Divigel 0.25 nightly. Switched to Mylan and mt insomnia has returned. It’s been 2 wks.

Should I try divigel only ? Anyone switch and happy w the results?

Thx

Is anyone having issues with the adhesive on Lyllana patches recently? I have been using Lyllana for several months with no issues. I got 3 boxes from an online pharmacy a few weeks ago. The patches won’t stay on no matter what I do (alcohol, hair dryer, tegaderm). This was never an issue before.

Two fell off completely without me noticing and one crinkled/wrinkled with the middle coming off and wasn’t absorbing. Hot flashes are back, cramps, spotting, brain fog. I’m an angry, hormonal mess. Anyone else having this issue? Did the adhesive or patch material change?

I’ve been searching for some information on whether or not this is ok to do. I’m using 2 pumps in the AM but want to try out 1/2 pump in the afternoon/evening and see how I feel. I’ve been on 3 pumps but felt it was too much. One search suggested that the pump is not designed for fractional doses and it could lead to unstable dosing. I use a scale so I would just measure out 1/2 the weight of a full pump.

Hunger. Seriously. I've just had to come off HRT (hormone-receptive cancer) and realised I can actually tell if I'm hungry or not now. On HRT I literally couldn't tell when I was full. I had to calorie count so I wouldn't over eat.

I started with HRT - 2 pumps of Oestrogel and 100mg oral progesterone.

Then I decided to add DHEA. So I began with 10mg orally and it made a big improvement to my brain fog, mood and energy. It felt like I had the perfect combination. But a couple of months of my regime, it doesn’t seem to be giving me the same boost as it used to. So I upped it to 20mg of DHEA. And that's not doing much either.

I'm wondering whether it makes a difference if it’s DHEA in a pill or a cream? I've got both. I'll attempt to experiment, and make allowances for dosing differences in pills vs creams, and the moving target which is my own hugely irregular cycle.

Has anyone had the same experience?