I thought I’d try this instead of Oestrogel which I’ve been using for some time now. It’s a real hassle and I just don’t have the time or patience anymore. I also need to use 3 pumps and I have to separate them out between morning and afternoon. It takes atleast 15 minutes to dry each time.
Our local pharmacy said it cannot source it from anywhere. Is there a shortage? If so how long has this been happening?
Hi Serendipitous Yes there is a UK shortage of estradot patches at the minute.
I was taking estradot 37.5 mcg patch and I must admit I'd had no problems getting the prescription fulfilled by my local chemist, however i was advised to drop to estradot 25 mcg patches and they can't get them at all.
I emailed the manufacturer Sandoz and they replied that the patches will probably be in short supply till 2026 as demand is greater than they can produce.
I changed brands to evorel 25 and there seems to be no problems with that
Hope this helps
Susan
Hi Blackcat122,
Thanks for the response. I thought Estradot only came in 25, 50, 75 and 100?
How do you find Evorel compared to Estradot? Is it as sticky? It doesn’t fall off does it? I’m changing from oestrogel to patches and I’m wondering if there will be a difference between continuous compared to applying gel which is 1-2 hits of oestrogen at a time.
Hi Serendipitous You can get estradot in a 37.5 mcg size.
In comparison to evorel the estradot are much smaller, but I've noticed since the manufacturer changed to Sandoz they have a tendency to fall off. To minimise this, change your patch after showering or bathing when your skin is cooler.
The evorel patches only come in 25, 50, 75 and 100 I think, but they stay put a lot better.
If you still have a womb I think you will have to take some form of progesterone with this, but best to check with your gp as some patches are made containing both estrogen and progesterone.
The evorel and estradot are estrogen only.
I would suggest you try the menopause matters forum as they are very helpful
Hope this helps
Susan
The evorel and estradot are estrogen only.
Evorel Conti is combined estrogen and progesterone. Stick on well.
Thank you but it contains a progestogen and not body identical progesterone. They are very different in their effects.
Update 14/03/25 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® 50micrograms/24h…
Source: Community Pharmacy England
37.5mcg Estradot patches are not affected so you need to pester your pharmacist to get them.
BTW. The so called shortage is only a shortage as far as the NHS is concerned. As far as Sandoz is concerned they are producing the same amount as they normally do but the demand for the product has gone up. It seems that all the supplies are available in private clinics or in pharmacies if you’re prepared to pay for it. Therefore it would seem that the NHS are not prepared to pay for any supplies of it and have opted instead to pay for the other two alternatives which they have obviously done a deal with which Sandoz was not prepared to do as they can get what they want via the private market. Supply and demand which isn’t fair to those of us who have used Estradot for years. Blame people like Davina who has advertised it so much and now we can’t get it! Until Sandoz finishes there new manufacturing plant in Germany in 2026 and boosts its supply, things won’t change but then maybe they will put the price up and the NHS still won’t buy it 🤷♀️
instagram.com/reel/DGlGQRjI...
Diane Danzebrink often updates people on instagram regarding any information on HRT and women’s health problems…if you’re on there, I’ve included a link above to one update I saw, but I’ve not listened to this to say if resolved but believe there has been some historical issues.
Re oestrogel you can spread the gel out eg use night and morning if you are using more than 2 pumps.
I started finding it difficult to get Estradot last summer. It gradually got harder to find until in December I was switched to Evorel. The Evorel patches are much bigger and I also find them very sticky - it's difficult to remove the glue residue marks. I think I prefer the glue on the estradot ones but I'm ok using the evorel.
Farrugia,
Did you notice a difference in your oestrogen levels or absorption after switching to Evorel? Were you ever on Oestrogel? If so how was the switch from gel to patch for you?
I haven't noticed much difference between the two different types of patches in terms of how they make me feel but I haven't had my levels tested recently. They feel very similar to me, it's just the glue feels a bit different. I used oestrogel quite a while ago and I think I had more side effects than with the patches so switching to patches from gel was good for me. Everyone is different so you might just have to give it a try. The patches are easier because you only have to change them twice a week. The downside is they leave a grubby glue mark on your skin, I find the mark left by the Evorel patch is harder to remove than the Estradot.
What kind of side effects did you experience?
I think my own oestrogen levels are changing or dropping so that’s not helping and perhaps if they are low and I’m on 200g of Utrogestan which was probably okay 2 years maybe I’ve got too much progesterone compared to oestrogen. Who knows. Before I see a private doctor I’m wondering if trying a patch might help.
I’ve got brain fog, bad sleep, hair loss, dry skin, what feels like panic attacks at times, knee pain, a sprained ankle which won’t heal, heat and cold intolerance. Increasing weight gain around the hips and now abdominal area. The list goes on and increasing oestrogel caused more anxiety.
Do you think I would be okay with a 75mcg patch if I’m on 3 pumps of oestrogel?
I can't remember how many pumps of oestrogel I used to take - it was a long time ago. The main side effect from the gel was breast tenderness. At that time I had also been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and I was taking Levothyroxine and I had quite a lot of symptoms from that because the medication didn't work well for me.
I definitely felt better when I switched from oestrogel to the patches though. I've only ever taken 100 Utrogestan and I'm on the 75mcg patch.
My private GP told me it’s an NHS issue, they won’t pay up for Estradot basically. I’ve been struggling with my Estadot. I was absorbing ok ish and up to 230 p/mol oestrogen on a 50 mg patch then I encountered adhesive issues in a few boxes and my oestrogen has dropped to 180 p/mol and I feel rubbish. Just switched to oestrogel to try that instead but am going to try 2 pumps initially as I’m dreading the drying issues plus I’m on testosterone gel too which has to dry. I tried sticking my Estradot patches on with tape but still not absorbing them well and have tried them on abdomen, buttocks, thighs but that hasn’t helped absorption problem either. I hope you find a solution.
I’ve just received some Evorel 75 since like you say the NHS can’t get hold of it. Only had it on since yesterday morning and it’s already started to peel off. I am going to order Tegaderm clear tape to keep it on. Is that what you’re using? It’s supposed to be really good.
230 sounds low. My levels were that low after 12 hours post gel but that was last November. I should have picked up on it then. At least with oestrogel you can alter the dose. Why don’t you try a 3rd pump later on in the day if it’s not enough? I felt I was low on 3 but raising to 4 made me really anxious.
If Evorel doesn’t work then I’ll need to see a private doctor to help me work out what to do. Did you get the testosterone from the private GP too?
I’m using tattoo film which is similar I think. Not helping the absorption though. I actually felt ok on 230 p/mol, I noticed my mood panned as soon as my oestrogen levels dropped. I’m a poor absorber of everything unfortunately including thyroid meds and testosterone gel too. Unfortunately my private GP switched me to the gel, upped my thyroid meds by half a grain and increased my testosterone from a blob to one pump a day. It’s all been too much and I’m feeling jittery and weird. I’m going to drop the other meds back and just focus on the oestrogel. Yes, getting it all privately which is another (expensive) dimension.
Can’t you go for a higher strength patch if absorption is an issue? I would definitely change one thing and then see how you go. I wouldn’t change too many things at once. Hope you feel better soon.
I don’t know, maybe, once they don’t work or work less well though it’s concerning as I seem really sensitive to oestrogen dropping. Mentally and mood wise I fall off a cliff and only half function. I’ve managed to get two separate doses of oestrogel on without triggering the jitters and have dropped everything else back down. So 🤞 I get some oestrogen into my system and then can think and function a bit better to move things forwards. I hope you get some resolution with your patches too!
Yes same here, that's what a lot of peri and pre-menstrual symptoms relate to, fluctuations in oestradiol levels. However, I also think my brain doesnt cope well with low oestrogen levels. Not being able to think clearly makes me feel vulnerable, depressed and self conscious. I've been on this 75 patch since Saturday so far I dont feel any worse but I dont feel better either. Doesn't help that I'm under a lot of stress at the moment. Fingers crossed for you.
Gosh, I can relate so well. I do not function with low oestrogen. It’s a bit scary as you allude to. I don’t feel normal or right in myself and ‘vulnerable’ is a good way to describe it. I’m unfortunately trying to balance several sets of hormones as thyroid’s out of whack and I have no testosterone either as confirmed by blood tests. Currently I need another limb to apply all this gel to but I am feeling a bit brighter. I’m either crying into my cornflakes depressed or a bit crazy hyper. Hopefully we can both find a happy medium. Women shouldn’t have to go through this without better support and understanding!
Liothyronine medication shortage?
Is there a link???
Is there a lymphedema-thyroid connection? I
Vencamil ? a shortage
Is there a alternative to levothyroxine? 
