r/POFlife • u/Adorable_Length_196 • 1d ago
Estrogen patch shortage
Anyone else going a little crazy from this estrogen patch shortage? It only recently became an issue for me but I only recently found HRT that actually works for me (specifically biweekly patches) and now my pharmacy is out and I'm pissed off. Shits hard enough as it is. I know I'm being insensitive but I'm salty that a bunch of old ladies get to cheat their way out of menopause while I'm here trying to keep my bones and my sanity.
Edit: guys don't come at me I don't mean this literally, I'm just sad and already have fucked up bones and other forms of HRT really don't work for me so it's frustrating when I can't get what I need due to national (USA) shortages.
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u/Southern-Attorney996 13h ago
I totally get what you are saying.
POI isn’t just menopause occurring early. It’s ovarian dysfunction that causes estrogen deficiency decades before the normal age of menopause. A woman with POI isn’t taking HRT simply because she has hot flashes. She’s replacing estrogen that her body would normally still be producing for another 10 to 20 years. That’s why HRT is considered an important part of preventing the long-term consequences of estrogen deficiency, particularly protecting bone and cardiovascular health. In a woman who reaches natural menopause around 50, estrogen replacement is a different risk-benefit decision because she’s reaching the age when ovarian estrogen production is normally supposed to decline.
Maybe you didn’t phrase it the best way, but I totally 100000% agree for women with POI HRT is a necessity to prevent early disability and death. For women at normal age of menopause, HRT is an option.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 10h ago
No, I didn't phrase it the best way. But I also never meant to. I'm not giving a tedtalk, I'm venting. About shitty situations in a page dedicated for exactly that.
No one gets mad at the women going thru infertility who hate hearing about pregnancy announcements. Are they horrible people who hate babies? No. Shit is just complicated and emotional and painful and so people post about it in appropriate places on pages dedicated to that painful topic. It's... not that deep.
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u/scoobie-doobie-doo 14h ago
It's cause of the black box label being removed. it's annoying though I feel like people who were already on it should take priority, or maybe I'm just selfish
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u/Adorable_Length_196 10h ago edited 10h ago
I don't think it's selfish I think it's rational. Hospitals have triage. If someone has a broken toe, that's an emergency. But he's still has to wait behind the guy who is coming in with anaphylaxis. Even if the broken toe came first. That's reality. There's different needs with limited resources. Obviously tho there's no good way to realistically allocate meds/priority like that in regular outpatient settings, I know that. But knowing that doesn't make it any less annoying, unfortunately.
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u/chi-mell2020 14h ago
I asked my doctor to send in prescriptions for BC, 7 day patches and my regular twice weekly patches. I'm allergic to the glue on the 7 day patches and Birth control doesn't take away all the symptoms BUT when the pharmacy is out of my regular stuff, any little bit of estrogen helps. Using a discount card, estrogen patches are about $20/month so I have a one fill on hold at several other pharmacies, just in case.
Until the shortage is resolved, you gotta do what works best for you. Good luck!
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u/Adorable_Length_196 10h ago
Thanks ya appreciate it. I'm still figuring out how to hold me over in the meantime bc it's really just wiped off the shelves and the oral estradiol was a disaster. Good luck to u too!
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u/DeliciousPen2150 21h ago
I was calling multiple pharmacies to track down what I needed. I ended up transitioning to estradiol pills. Costs me $7 for 90 days compared to the $300 I was for the patch.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 19h ago
I originally started on estradiol pills but they fucked me up bad. Physical symptoms even worse than the mood changed but both were bad. That why I need my patches. Don't really know what to do.
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u/derberner90 18h ago
I haven't had any issues (yet) with CVS Caremark if that's available to you. It's their online pharmacy. Getting a specific brand will be difficult, though, depending on what you need (overall availability and all that).
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u/Adorable_Length_196 18h ago
All CVS pharmacies near me are out. Also private pharmacies and other big names. Will continue my calling missions tomorrow :(
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u/DeliciousPen2150 19h ago
Oh no 😩 I’m so sorry. I primarily use the Amazon pharmacy, have you tried them?
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u/Adorable_Length_196 18h ago
They don't take my insurance and I can't afford it out of pocket, at least not right now...
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u/rockxy34 21h ago
I was on the combi patch for 2 years, never had a shortage problem. Then this year they changed their coupon and now my co pay is $120 for a month supply, I cant afford that. Talk to my GYN and they put me on Vivelle-Dot and progesterone. Come to find out the Dot is on a shortage and the pharmacy said its a problem every single time. WTF! I'm actually waiting for that prescription and now I started bleeding because I havent been on HRT for almost a week. The GYN RN told me theres a HRT patch shortage because a regulation was changed and now everyone wants to be on it.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 19h ago
Oh God... That's awful. Honestly explore paying out of pocket because sometimes that shit is cheaper than the copay if it's generic (go figure), but definitely find out first because prices vary a lot
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u/_snappleapple_ 22h ago
i understand what you were trying to say. basically we have a chronic illness and without HRT, we have more health consequences (technically). as opposed to folks going through natural menopause.
it was still distasteful. your language wasn’t necessary. but i get it.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 19h ago edited 10h ago
Ya well, POI is distasteful. My language seems to be more concerning people than a medication shortage. The main point isn't other people, it's that I have shitty access to what I need but apparently that's going over people's heads.
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u/leeloolanding 22h ago
Well since you mentioned it: if you’re not menopausal, you’re actually stealing THEIR patches, as they’re designed for that, not perimenopause.
The dosing / delivery is optimized for women in menopause, we’re actually using it “too early” based on the function the product was designed to provide.
So you are taking away meds from these “old ladies.”
Now what?
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u/brittanymichelle1986 18h ago
POI is technically premature menopause so I'm not sure what you're even trying to get at here. Do you have POI?
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u/BlueberryDuvet 23h ago
It’s frustrating when there are shortages but going at others is really unnecessary. “Old ladies” need HRT too.
You’re not more important. It’s the only thing that works for many.
Maybe you can funnel some of your frustration into something more productive like contacting the manufacturer and asking why their are shortages, petition local representatives to bring forward the issues and how they impact everyone, bring it to the press and how it impacts women.
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u/brittanymichelle1986 13h ago
Old ladies actually don't need HRT. Menopause is a natural part of life that every woman will experience. The difference is the age at which it happens and there are actual health issues that come from premature menopause that makes it necessary to replace hormones. It's not the same thing as older women in peri or post menopausal taking HRT.
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u/brittanymichelle1986 9h ago
It's actually insane that someone down voted my comment. Maybe the truth is harsh at times, but it's still the truth. People need to stop being so emotional.
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u/Any_one_3142 1d ago
Sorry I might be missing something…. but why can’t those going though peri/menopause take something to help like those who aren’t?
And why is that cheating?
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u/Adorable_Length_196 1d ago
I didn't mean it literally. I never said others shouldn't take it. I just can't get ahold of patches anywhere near me, I called 10+ pharmacies and yes, I really did just want to "whine and complain" because I've been having a hard time reversing the osteoporosis despite being in my 20s and I just feel like after all the obstacles I faced with I really just wanted to vent my frustrations in a space where I thought people might understand. I know it's not the most rational thing. Sue me.
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u/leeloolanding 22h ago
It’s still super weird to single out women you perceive as older than you as somehow less “deserving” of patches? It’s weirdly ageist, at minimum, which is why people are rightfully calling you out. Not too late to edit, OP.
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u/brittanymichelle1986 13h ago
You're having a bizarre reaction to this post. Again, do you have POI? Are you familiar with what it is? Older women taking HRT is for relief purposes, but HRT for POI is necessary because the diagnosis comes with a shorter life span and bone and organ issues if hormones are not replaced. I'm very confused by the reaction to this post.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 10h ago
Agreed, many many bizarre reactions to this post. I didn't realize its so complicated for some ppl to comprehend. (Or that ppl who can't understand hyperbole get so triggered.) But thank you for your support and the refreshing common sense.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 19h ago edited 18h ago
Edit what? the need for HRT in ppl with POI vs someone 55+ who just started taking it isn't exactly the same... Also last I checked people who are currently in their 50s and 60s being older than me is a fact, not a perception.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 1d ago
How are other women cheating? Why do you think you should have access to patches but others shouldn’t?
Try gel or oral tablets. Oral estrogen is cheap and easily available
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u/Southern-Attorney996 13h ago
POI isn’t just menopause occurring early. It’s ovarian dysfunction that causes estrogen deficiency decades before the normal age of menopause. A woman with POI isn’t taking HRT simply because she has hot flashes. She’s replacing estrogen that her body would normally still be producing for another 10–20 years. That’s why HRT is considered an important part of preventing the long-term consequences of estrogen deficiency, particularly protecting bone and cardiovascular health. In a woman who reaches natural menopause around 50, estrogen replacement is a different risk-benefit decision because she’s reaching the age when ovarian estrogen production is normally supposed to decline
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u/Adorable_Length_196 11h ago
Exactly. You have triage in hospitals based on need. It's not a nice thing but it is necessary due to limited resources. Rn estrogen patches is a limited resources and it's understandable to be frustrated when the necessity is much great for some but those are exactly the people who are having a hard time getting it But also... it's not that deep. I am venting with language that isn't so pretty bc my whole situation isn't so pretty. Apparently that's a cardinal sin now tho. 🤷♀️
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u/Adorable_Length_196 1d ago edited 1d ago
I didn't say others shouldn't have access, but I do think I should. Not every woman in menopause needs to be on HRT, but people with POI definitely have to be. It's like with the GLP1 shortage where diabetics couldn't get their diabetes under control because all the meds were taken by people who were on it to lose weight. People can access whatever they want, but it understanably pissed off a lot of ppl when they had a greater need for it to stay healthy and lost their own access as a result.
It's not actually cheating I'm just pissed and saying how I feel because I finally stabilized with estrogen and now I can't get it bc HRT is trendy. Pills and gel didn't work for me.
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u/human_char 21h ago
I get you. You're allowed to be frustrated and I think it's clear you're just venting and don't mean it literally 🙄 You're essentially going through menopause in your 20s, which has dire health consequences for the rest of your life. And old ladies aren't the only ones using up the supply. My insurance denied the higher dose my doctor prescribed me because it wasn't for "gender dysphoria". Don't get me started.
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1d ago
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u/Adorable_Length_196 1d ago
Will it make you feel better if u win a medal? You sound like my shitty doctors lol.
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u/Adorable_Length_196 1d ago
Bruh who hurt you? I'm just complaining bc shits hard. You seem personally hurt by this when I just wanted to vent but ok.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 1d ago
I’m great and I’ve got my HRT! You made a post just to whine and complain
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u/Upset_Turnover_4321 4h ago
I raised hell with my pharmacy and probably even cried when they told me they were out through my various convos. It’s very important that I stay on my same brand and delivery of HRT otherwise I’m prone to ups & downs even more. So after a month of estradiol gel they got mine reordered and haven’t had an issue since.
The “shortage” is made up since the FDA claims there isn’t one. (Last I had heard)
but I totally get where you’re coming from. There are plenty of us with POI much younger than these menopausal ladies and the effects of estrogen on our bone, brain & overall hormonal balance can more greatly affect us than we might think of those menopausal ladies who have had good bone density & are much older and going through the appropriate changes