The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with all six manufacturers of estradiol transdermal patches to increase supply after patients reported difficulty finding their usual products amid a surge in demand.

 

In an update dated Sept. 3, the FDA said estradiol patches remain available, although supplies of specific brands and products can vary by pharmacy and location.

 

The agency said it is closely monitoring the situation and offering manufacturers assistance to ramp up production, including expedited reviews of submissions aimed at increasing supply when appropriate.

 

Over the past year, the supply of FDA-approved estradiol transdermal patches has nearly doubled, according to the agency. Manufacturers are taking additional steps to get more patches onto the market, including adding production shifts, expanding capacity, increasing batch sizes, installing specialized equipment and manufacturing lines, and prioritizing estradiol patch production.

 

But the FDA cautioned that while some measures can boost supply quickly, larger manufacturing expansions may take longer because the patches require specialized equipment and manufacturing processes.

 

The supply squeeze comes as more women seek treatment for menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.

 

The FDA said demand for menopausal hormone therapies increased following its November 2025 action asking manufacturers to change labeling and remove boxed warnings concerning a probable risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and probable dementia for patients receiving menopausal hormone therapy products for menopause.

 

The agency said the labeling change gave women and their healthcare providers updated information to support individualized discussions about the benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy.

 

The FDA described the growing interest in menopause treatment as an important development for women’s health, while acknowledging the challenge of keeping estradiol patch supplies ahead of demand.

 

Patients struggling to find their usual estradiol patch should first contact their pharmacist. Pharmacists may be able to locate another FDA-approved estradiol transdermal patch that can be substituted for the current product, when appropriate.

 

Patients should also speak with their healthcare provider if their usual patch is unavailable. A provider can discuss alternative treatments and determine whether another estradiol product may be appropriate.

 

The FDA specifically advises patients not to stop or change their medication without consulting their healthcare provider.

 

If a patient cannot obtain their usual medication, the agency recommends contacting their healthcare provider for guidance and checking back with the pharmacy, since availability may change as manufacturers get additional products into pharmacies.

 

The FDA said it remains in regular contact with manufacturers and will continue closely monitoring the supply of estradiol transdermal patches.

 

The agency said it will keep working with manufacturers to increase availability and support patient access as demand continues to grow.

 

The FDA also encouraged patients to discuss the potential benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy with their healthcare providers and determine whether treatment is appropriate for their individual needs.