The FDA is working to address the ongoing shortage of estrogen patches.
This week, the agency released an update on the availability of estradiol transdermal patches, used to treat menopause-related symptoms. Nearly 50% of menopausal women have struggled to fill their prescription, resulting in symptom relapse and leading some to pay out of pocket.
Acknowledging the issue, the FDA said that it is actively working with all six estrogen patch manufacturers to increase supply:
“The FDA continuously monitors supply and is offering assistance to manufacturers seeking to increase production, including expediting the review of submissions related to increasing supply when appropriate. Over the last year, the supply of FDA-approved estradiol transdermal patches has nearly doubled.”
Manufacturers are working to increase availability via increased production, manufacturing shifts, production capacity, batch sizes, specialized equipment, and manufacturing lines.
Following the black box warning removal last year, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) demand has greatly increased, with usage up nearly 20% since July 2025. With efforts ongoing, providers like Midi Health expect women to continue facing challenges filling prescriptions.
In the meantime, experts recommend refilling prescriptions early, checking multiple pharmacies, asking about alternative brands, or considering other form factors, like topicals or pills.
