Overview
- Doctors and patients report trouble finding certain estrogen patch brands and doses even though the FDA has not added the products to its shortage list.
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists lists 14 patch brands or strengths in shortage, and pharmacies in places such as Northeast Ohio and West Texas describe spotty supply that forces brand switches or extra trips.
- Use of estrogen therapy has climbed since the FDA lifted boxed warnings in late 2025, with Truveta data showing a 184% rise in prescriptions for women ages 45 to 54 since 2018.
- Manufacturers are trying to catch up, with Sandoz saying it shipped extra supplies to the U.S., but batch scheduling and a small field of producers can slow any rebound.
- Clinicians say most patients can pivot to another patch, adjust dosing, or use gels, rings, or pills, and some experts expect supplies to improve later this year while others caution the squeeze could last longer.