No HRT patches, what can I get instead- transdermal only!

[TealSteal]

I went today to pick up my prescription for estrogen patches and utrogestan which I've used for 2 years. They said there was a shortage and no idea when the patches would be in. I've to contact my GP for an alternative. I have migraines so must use transdermal hrt as advised by my neurologist. What estrogen only transdermal hrt is there? I am a bit concerned changing my hrt will trigger migraines.

I've heard it isn't good health wise to run out of hrt, stop and restart so hopefully the hrt shortages will be fixed soon.

I got the utrogestan no problem but I see others have had difficulties getting that!

Oesteogel? The gel you rub in? That’s what I have and have no issues getting it.

I use oestrogel which is a small pack (1mg) of gel. Can be difficult to get hold of that too. Your GP will need to issue another prescription to allow the pharmacy to issue a biosimilar product.

I’m confused by this. My oestrogel is a large pump pack, I use 2/3 pumps a day and get 2 pump packs on prescription each month.

Like this -

Mine are little silver packs. Perhaps I've got the name wrong. I use one pack every morning which is 1mg and then 1 of the huge utrogestan at night.

Thanks for the advice, I will ask for the pump bottle of oestrogen and hopefully it will be in stock.

Could that be testosterone? I've heard that comes in little silver packs some women use.

I think there are other types - I’m just guessing off the top of my head without googling so the names might be a bit wrong but I think there’s a lenzetto or something like that.

The little silver packs of oestrogen (estradiol) are probably Sandrena sachets. I've just been given a load because the pharmacy can't get patches or Oestrogel pumps.

Definitely oestrogen.

Sorry, just been and looked . Sandrena is what it's called.

Hope you get sorted

Thanks for the name, I'll check it out!

You should be able to get alternative patches. So if you are normally on Estradot there could well be Everol or Estraderm available

@TealSteal There are lots of other estrogen only patches.

see here- all of those in the middle of The page are patches- under TRANSDERMAL
www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php

There are lots of different estrogen only patches. It might be a case of phoning around various pharmacies to see what's in stock. Which is rubbish.

Personally and through bitter experience I have found that they are not all interchangeable - I was fine on one brand of patches, absolutely hideous on the gel.

@Xrays the sachets are Sandrena not Oestrogel. Same thing pretty much. Oestrogen in gel form but done people prefer one over the other

What's the equivalent of a 75 patch?

See the previous link to the list of estrogens. There are at least two if not three other estrogen patches.

Your local pharmacist ought to phone their supplier and ask what else is in stock.

You should try other estrogen patches before swapping to another type (ie gel.)

There are at least 3 other estrogen only patches.