Estradiol Patch Shortage:
A Women's Healthcare Crisis
Women across the country are struggling to fill prescriptions for estradiol patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to relieve menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. Interruptions in treatment can seriously affect women's health and quality of life.
Why is there a shortage?
Growing awareness of HRT benefits and the FDA's November 2025 decision to remove certain safety warnings have contributed to increased demand. Manufacturers have failed to keep pace, leaving women searching multiple pharmacies, switching medications, or going without treatment.
Despite documented supply disruptions, the FDA has not officially declared a nationwide shortage.
What can we do?
We Can Lead Change calls for immediate action
by the FDA and Congress
to address this shortage and
ensure reliable access to essential medication.
Women should not have to fight for the healthcare they need and deserve.
TAKE ACTION!
Women across the country are struggling to obtain estradiol patches prescribed for menopause treatment. Despite documented supply disruptions, the FDA has not officially designated these medications as being in a nationwide shortage.
Contact the FDA and your members of Congress.
Here is what you can do:
1) Email the FDA at drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov and contact your members of Congress.
Urge them to formally reassess the estradiol patch shortage, demand accountability from manufacturers, and take immediate steps to restore reliable supplies.
Ask them to:
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Formally reassess the shortage designation for estradiol patches.
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Require greater transparency from manufacturers about supply and production.
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Take immediate steps to improve reliable access to these essential medications.
See below for a template email you can use.
2) Share your story. If you have experienced difficulty filling your prescription, share your experience with the FDA or with others HERE. Your voice matters!
3) Contact your elected officials: Find your U.S. senators and representative
Illinois residents: Senator Tammy Duckworth | Senator Dick Durbin | Senator-Elect Juliana Stratton
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Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) — Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — Ranking Member, Senate HELP Committee.
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Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) — Chair, House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) – Member, House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommitte.
4) Read the letter that Senators Tammy Duckworth, Kirsten Gillibrand and Adam Schiff sent to the FDA HERE.
TEMPLATE EMAIL
Request for Formal FDA Shortage Designation — Estradiol Transdermal Patches
Dear FDA Drug Shortage Staff:
I are writing to express serious concern about the continuing difficulty women across the United States are experiencing in obtaining prescribed estradiol transdermal patches used for menopause hormone therapy.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists has documented shortages affecting multiple manufacturers, brands, and dosages. Yet the FDA has not formally designated these medications as being in a nationwide shortage.
For women who depend on these medications, the distinction between a supply disruption and an officially recognized shortage does little to address their inability to fill prescriptions.
I respectfully request that the FDA:
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Immediately reassess whether estradiol transdermal patches meet the criteria for an official nationwide drug shortage.
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Explain the discrepancy between the FDA's assessment and the shortages documented by ASHP.
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Publish information on manufacturer production capacity, back orders, and expected resupply dates.
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Work with manufacturers to accelerate production and ensure consistent availability of all commonly prescribed dosages.
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Provide regular public updates so patients and healthcare providers can make informed treatment decisions.
Women should not have to contact multiple pharmacies, delay treatment, or change medications because prescribed hormone therapies are unavailable.
I urge the FDA to recognize the seriousness of these access problems and take transparent, timely action.
Sincerely,
[Name ]