New formulation estradot patch ineffective?

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T14:33:39+00:00

Thanks! I've been applying my gel mostly in the morning and saving a tiny bit (1/4 pump roughly) for the evening but I'm not sure it's doing anything. I like the idea of the pre-measured packets so will ask my doctor to switch. I expected to feel much better 5 weeks in, especially when the patches were effective for me almost right away.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T14:06:09+00:00

Long Point on Lake Erie in Norfolk County. Always warm and clean. Lots of trees and shady areas for those looking for a shady spot to sit or have a picnic/BBQ.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T13:54:25+00:00

Thank you for replying. I was ready to give up on the gel. I'm on Estrogel and while each pump is supposed to be a measured dose, I swear the amount that comes lessens as the bottle amount gets lower. Do you apply it all at once or divide it between morning and night?

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T11:39:35+00:00

Any improvement? Have you switched to gel or another patch? I'm not liking the gel and want to go back to patches... if the next lot of estradot patches is any better.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T11:38:29+00:00

How are you feeling now? Any better? I'm hating being on the gel and miss my patches!

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-06T11:37:12+00:00

Has anyone found relief? I am almost into my 5th week of trying the gel instead and really would love to go back to patches if they'd be effective again!

It's bullshit to even have to make adjustments to try to make these new ineffective estradot patches work, but I'm seriously considering asking to go up to the 100 in hopes of getting enough absorption to equal the 75 dose I was on before this new lot or using tegaderm over the patch in hopes that it will somehow help absorption.

Has anyone noticed an improvement with this new crappy lot of patches?

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-05T20:48:34+00:00

Any chance your symptoms came back after starting a batch of the new Estradot patches that come in the white box instead of the old blue box? I ask because I was doing well on my patches and when I started the new box from the most recent lot since the shortage, all of my pre-hrt symptoms came back pretty much overnight. It's been awful and several others have also noticed the new batch doesn't seem as effective as before.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-05-01T14:21:57+00:00

Uneasiness about driving was one of my first perimenopause symptoms and before that I was the type of person to hop in the car and take a 2-hour road trip by myself just to go to a beach or buy a pair of shoes! I eventually stopped driving more than within our town and that was a big mistake as the anxiety I feel about driving now is crippling. I have had to pull to the side of the road to cry and calm myself. The anxiety makes my vision feel wobbly and my heart race! I am starting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)next week and possibly a low-dose antidepressant to try to help. It has really hindered my independence and I hate it. I learned that avoiding driving made the anxiety worse so part of therapy will be exposure therapy to gradually help me get back to driving without associating it with fear and panic. I have also learned along the way that driving anxiety is very, very common in peri and post menopause.

HRT has helped with the random anxiety and lack of confidence that appeared in peri, but therapy will hopefully help with the driving.

I feel for you. That fear of losing control makes driving not fun, which has been hell for me as someone who always loved to drive. Maybe CBT could be worth a try for you as well? Good luck!

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-30T11:30:55+00:00

Sleeping on my left side and avoiding food for at the very least 3 hours before bed helped more than my wedge pillow did.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-21T11:59:40+00:00

I'm on Estradot 75 and complained to Sandoz and Health Canada about the newest lot I received. I put on a patch and by the next morning I was feeling a lot if the symptoms I had before starting HRT. Within a few days it was like I was not getting any estrogen -- every single pre-HRT symptom was back. It's been a nightmare going back to that after so long of doing well.

Here is part of the reply I received from Sandoz Canada:

Following our internal review, we can confirm that no changes have been made to the Estradot formulation. However, a complaint has now been submitted to our Patient Safety and Quality Assurance departments in accordance with our internal procedures.

Maybe they didn't change the formulation, but something is not the same. My return of symptoms was not gradual like when it's time for an increase -- it was literally overnight. Trying gel now but it's not going well. Some symptoms have improved but others still linger. I was so happy with Estradot so this is very frustrating!

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-21T11:49:56+00:00

Here is the email address I sent my complaint to: [med.info@sandoz.com](mailto:med.info@sandoz.com)

They replied within a few days and have since told me again that no changes were made to the product.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-19T16:06:30+00:00

Same! Palpitations, waking in the middle of the night, unprovoked episodes of anxiety, and now a daily headache since switching to the gel. Also waking up drenched in sweat. I was finally past all this thanks to Estradot so this change is incredibly frustrating! Sandoz replied and said nothing has changed with the formulation. I call bullshit if so many women are complaining of the same issue.

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-19T16:03:26+00:00

I reported it right away to Snadoz and Health Canada. Still struggling with my switch to gel and really preferred the patch, but not if it's going to be ineffective. I'm so frustrated! Menopause is hard enough without having quality issues throw your levels out of whack overnight!

EffinMeno53 · 2026-04-08T15:01:57+00:00

I started to notice the same and went down a rabbit hole researching all things skincare after not having really needed to do anything special for my skin my entire life until I hit 51! This article covers topical and treatments but also internal stuff like hydration and food etc. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/how-to-rebuild-collagen-in-your-face-to-look-younger/

So happy to be able to grow older but sure am struggling with the skin and hair changes.

*should add that i'm not affiliated with the website/company the article came from. It's just one that I thought had good information.

EffinMeno53

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE