Estradot poor availability driving me mad

[Clothesmoths]

Estradot shortage (again) is stressing me out. Have had a good few weeks lately when it had come to back into supply (initially with very sore and hard breasts but then feeling much more ‘me’) but previously to that I had maybe a year or so struggling along with using Estraderm which I don’t absorb properly due to rashes under the patch.
I hate using the gels for sensory reasons and just want Estradot to come back into circulation. Getting appointments to take to anyone about changing the prescription is a nightmare. I don’t want to give up of Estraderm because they really work for me. Anyone know if that’s likely they’ll sort out the supply issues?

Nobody else? Maybe others don’t find it a big deal to swop brands. I find it wierd that estraderm haven’t responded to women wanting much smaller sized patches and that Estradot the one brand of relatively small sized patches is in such short supply. Not just in my area in which Boots at least is totally out of Estradot.

It’s a big problem. I’ve basically given up
on getting it on the NHS (despite having shelled out for a pre-payment certificate) and buy it privately. Just spent £150 today on 3 months supply of Estradot and Utrogestan.

The GP prescribed me Evorel but I had terrible psychological side effects and lots of skin irritation so I’d rather just pay to get what I need now.

I’ve read that it isn’t a supply problem, as @Pendapala says, it’s easy enough to get if you pay for it.

sorry in my post above I think I have mixed up Estraderm (the massive rash-causing patches) with Estradot (the more manageable sized ones which presumably use a different glue). It’s not good for my brain trying to deal with swooping brands!

Yeah, I gave up last year as so fed up not knowing if I’d be able to get a prescription filled and traipsing round pharmacies - I just don’t have the time. Evorel doesn’t work for me - I don’t absorb it - so switched to gel which I like actually. Have you thought about Lenzetto? I’ve also had good experience with that, although the wastage/plastic involved irks me somewhat.

I was googling today whether it’s still in shortage (according to my search 50s are low stock until Dec26) as I’m reacting to my current patch’s. My pharmacy are excellent though at swapping when irritation starts with whichever replacement patch they’ve given me!

Thank you all for posting. it’s good to hear your experiences. I guess I will go back to the pharmacy. It’s driving me nuts though how variable my response to these patches is, which the GP and pharmacist seem to feel are totally interchangeable,
I tried the gel a few years ago and didn’t like it but I haven’t thought about spray. Thanks for mentioning that. I hated the plastic waste of the bottle of gel with the pump too.. hopefully in future this can be looked at. Medical single
use plastic is very prevalent.

do you have to get the GP to represcribe to swop or can you just ask the pharmacist?

I’ve just had some on prescription online from Pharmacy2U. I couldn’t believe it!!

It was a bit of a faff to get it - I had to name it as my preferred pharmacy on the NHS app, then had to wait while my GPs sent the prescription to them and they approved it, then it took a few days to actually be delivered to me.

I called in at my local pharmacy to see if they had Estrodot in stock and they did have the 75mcgs on the shelf, so I am hoping it means it is coming back into general circulation; I need the 100mcg ones.

According to cpe.org the latest SSP is to the 10th of July, but we all know to take any dates with a pinch of salt.

cpe.org

I have had this problem for the last couple of years and yes it's highly frustrating. The last few months I have managed to get it ok. I hope it's not going out of stock again.

My pharmacy won't make the decision to swap it and every time I was having to go through the rigmarole of speaking to the pharmacist and reminding them that there is a Serious Shortage Protocol which allows then pharmacist to swap for a like product such as Evorel without me having to go back to the doctors and ask for a replacement. It's worth bringing this up with them if they ask you to go back to the doctors. You can check if there is an SSP here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps

Same here @Clothesmoths . I've had a steady supply for a while but just got told last week that the pharmacy is out of stock. Tried a few others and got same answer. It's really stressful. I wish they would sort it out!

@Clothesmoths the first time I had to go back to GP and ask them to reissue (I emailed them while stood in chemist and they dictated the wording). Had to do this again after 12mths and did it by phone call.

The prescription still says Estrodot 50 but from memory there is a line about an equivalent replacement.

I loved estradot but gave up due to not being in pharmacies. Am now on the gels and they work fine if not better. Just more of a faff as put them on every day and wait for them to dry.

Oh yes, I am going through hell at the moment because my pharmacy gave me gel in May and it just doesn't work as well. I am currently experiencing headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and stomach problems, and my energy levels are non-existent. The HRT nurse at the doctors surgery tells me that it doesn't make a difference whether you have gel or patches as they all work the same! The next available appointment to see someone is 17th July.

I have tried Estraderm in the past but that wasn't great for me either, it's horrible when you have been prescribed something that will make a massive difference to your life but you can't get hold of it!

Guardian has a story about this today. Says Estrodot is one of the drugs worst affected by shortages.

Thanks just found it www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/18/nhs-patients-face-worst-drug-shortages-on-record-say-pharmacists-and-gpswe

‘A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The overwhelming majority of medicines licensed in the UK are in good supply and patients should know that when visiting the pharmacy, their prescriptions will be available.

“Ensuring there is robust supply of medicines is vital and this government is making significant investments in the UK medicine manufacturing industry to strengthen it.’

Hollow laugh.. ‘patients should know that.. their prescriptions will be available.’
In an article about the UK’s worst drug shortages on record..

I just got two boxes of Estradot 100 patches from my pharmacy and it feels like Christmas! It’s really rubbish-why can’t the company sort it? They must be losing money as patients have to switch brands.