Which brand estradiol patches have worked well for you? Or which haven't?

[Anonymous]

I am on the generic patches from Sandoz. I'm not absorbing the estrogen, for some reason. My doctor wants me to switch to another brand. I will call insurance tomorrow to see if there are any other generics they will cover, or how much a name brand would cost me. Have you had good or bad experiences with any? CVS also carries Dotti. Any experience with that?

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. I haven't even noticed the brand of my generic estradiol, and it never occurred to me that I might not absorb it. I guess I have been because my hot flashes haven't come back. Mine is Sandoz.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm. I haven't even noticed the brand of my generic estradiol, and it never occurred to me that I might not absorb it. I guess I have been because my hot flashes haven't come back. Mine is Sandoz.

This is OP. I think it's quite possible the problem is going to turn out to be my body and not the patches at all, to be clear. But she wants to try a different patch as an experiment. She did say she has had other patients have problems with not absorbing (from various brands) but it's usually because the patch un-sticks. Mine are sticking just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm. I haven't even noticed the brand of my generic estradiol, and it never occurred to me that I might not absorb it. I guess I have been because my hot flashes haven't come back. Mine is Sandoz.

This is OP. I think it's quite possible the problem is going to turn out to be my body and not the patches at all, to be clear. But she wants to try a different patch as an experiment. She did say she has had other patients have problems with not absorbing (from various brands) but it's usually because the patch un-sticks. Mine are sticking just fine.

Hmmm. Update us.

[Anonymous]

How do you knew you’re not absorbing it? Just curious.
I’m on Climara pro and my dr was very insistent to use this over generic.

[Anonymous]

Menostar low dose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you knew you’re not absorbing it? Just curious.
I’m on Climara pro and my dr was very insistent to use this over generic.

Did they say why? My doctor was insistent that I get the generic to save money.

[Anonymous]

I'm using the gel because I am allergic to the adhesive in patches. I wonder if absorption could be better via gel or cream?

[Anonymous]

Started out with Sandoz .0375 early April 2024 (already was on 100 mg progesterone nightly and vaginal Estrace cream 2x week) since UTIs increased. Have put on 1 lb/week since I started (and eating habits did not change). Gained 8-10 lbs since the beginning So I wrote to GYN asking to switch to lower dose estrogen patch (.025?) and CVS filled the script 2 days ago (Mylan brand). (GYN said metabolism does slow down as we age so patch dose might not make a difference). I put the Mylan patch on and now have had weak period-like cramps and gasiness last 4 days (and I've already had a total hysterectomy/kept ovaries 19 yrs ago). So am going to go patch cold turkey until my annual exam (8 weeks from now) to see if I can get rid of both the weight gain/period like cramps/bloating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you knew you’re not absorbing it? Just curious.
I’m on Climara pro and my dr was very insistent to use this over generic.

Blood draw. My blood estradiol is a 10 even though I'm on the .075 patch. It should be much higher.

[Anonymous]

Yes interesting. I’m on .05 Sandoz, and I did feel more like myself again when I stated the patch - though I still get bouts of poor sleep and occasional hot flashes. No issues with the patch sticking