Safety Information for Estradiol Patch

The estradiol patch delivers estradiol, a bioidentical form of estrogen, through the skin and into the bloodstream at a consistent level.

During the menopause transition, estrogen levels begin to fluctuate and progressively decline.

Estrogen regulates many functions in your body. So when these levels drop, you may experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

The estradiol patch can replenish your estrogen levels enough to reduce these symptoms. It may also help prevent long-term health conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.

Choose your site.
Apply to clean, dry skin on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or outer thigh.

Avoid the breasts and areas with cuts, irritation, or oily skin.

Prepare the skin.
Do not use lotions, powders, or oils before application.

Apply the patch.
Remove the backing and press the patch firmly for about 10 seconds.

Change weekly
Wear your patch for one week and then replace it. Try to change your patch on the same day each week.

When replacing your patch, use a different area of the skin to lower the risk of irritation. Try not to repeat areas for at least a week.

Each patch should last one week. If you forget to change your patch, change it as soon as you remember. You can stay on your schedule by applying your next patch at the usual time.

Keep your estradiol patch in a cool, dry place at room temperature (68–77°F, or 20°C–25°C).

Avoid extreme temperatures, and don’t freeze or expose it to direct sunlight or heat sources, like radiators.

• The estradiol patch is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and uses estradiol, a bioidentical form of estrogen that is molecularly identical to the one your body naturally makes. The patch has lower doses of estrogen than a birth control pill.
• Low-dose estrogen is considered safe and effective if taken as prescribed by your clinician. Learn more about Noom’s commitment to safety and transparency here.

• Risks
  • Taking estrogen can increase the risk of:
    • Endometrial cancer in women with a uterus, which can be prevented by adding progesterone.
    • Heart attack, stroke, or venous thromboembolism, which is largely avoided with transdermal formulations like this patch.
    • Dementia, according to some studies. Data from a large study indicated this risk is seen only in patients starting therapy at age 65 or older.
    • It can also increase breast density in some women, which makes it more challenging to detect abnormalities on mammograms and may require additional imaging. It may also slightly raise the risk of breast cancer when combined with certain forms of progesterone.
  • HRT and Breast Cancer: Taking estrogen with certain forms of progesterone may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer in some women. This risk has been shown to be less for women under age 60 starting HRT within 10 years of menopause as well as for women using micronized progesterone (what we prescribe). Learn more on our HRT Safety & Transparency page.
• Interactions
  • Estrogen may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your clinician know about any other medications or supplements that you’re currently taking.
• Side effects
  • All medications may cause side effects. However, many people experience only minor side effects, which usually resolve with time, or no side effects at all. Contact your clinician or get medical help if these or any other side effects bother you or don’t go away.
• Common side effects
  • Breast tenderness
  • Mood changes
  • Bloating
  • Irregular vaginal bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Headache
• Rare adverse events
  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Heart attack, stroke, or venous thromboembolism
  • Breast cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Severe headaches
  • Liver abnormalities
  • Vision changes (e.g., retinal vascular thrombosis)
  • Severe mood changes or depression
  • Unusual breast changes (e.g., lumps, severe tenderness)
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Endometrial hyperplasia or cancer
  • Skin reactions (e.g., erythema multiforme, urticaria)

Try to avoid applying the patch at your waistline, as tight clothing can cause the patch to fall off.

After you remove your patch, fold the sticky sides of the used patch together before throwing it away. This helps prevent exposing other people to any medication left on the patch.