An estrogen patch (oestrogen patch) is a transdermal delivery system for estrogens such as estradiol and ethinylestradiol which can be used in menopausal hormone therapy, feminizing hormone therapy for transgender women, hormonal birth control, and other uses. Transdermal preparations of estrogen are metabolized differently than oral preparations. Transdermal estrogens avoid the first pass through the liver and thus potentially reduce the risk of blood clotting and stroke.An estrogen patch is applied directly to the skin, preferably near the lower abdomen, hips, or buttocks, and is usually changed once or twice per week. For women who have not undergone a hysterectomy, it is often suggested that they take progestogen in addition to an estrogen patch in order to protect the endometrium of the uterus. Transdermal estrogens are not recommended for all women; there are important precautions and side effects that should be considered before use. Medical uses
Menopause
An estrogen patch may be recommended for women experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, such as vasomotor symptoms and vaginal atrophy. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen which causes estrogen levels to fall. The sudden change in estrogen levels may cause vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes. Research suggests that the estrogen patch can relieve both the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms by increasing estrogen levels. An estrogen patch may also be used to treat vulvar and vaginal atrophy, another symptom of menopause associated with the sudden change in estrogen levels. Hypoestrogenism
Hypoestrogenism, or estrogen deficiency, may suggest menopause is approaching for middle aged women.
Other causes of hypoestrogenism are excessive exercise, restrictive diet, underactive pituitary gland, ovarian failure, Turner Syndrome, and kidney disease. Symptoms of hypoestrogenism may include pain during sex, irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes, breast tenderness, headache, depression, fatigue, weak bones, and an increase risk of urinary tract infections. Estrogen therapies, including the use of an estrogen patch, can be used to alleviate these symptoms by increasing estrogen levels to a normal state. Premenopausal women may be recommended to take progestin with estrogen therapy. Prevention of osteoporosis
Estrogen patches may be effective in preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Research suggests that estrogen patches can significantly increases bone mineral density and reduce risks of fractures in postmenopausal women by raising estrogen levels and avoiding first-pass metabolism.There is evidence that the combination of an estrogen patch with a progestin pill can improve bone mineral density in young, premenopausal amenorrheic athletes, and may be more effective than an oral estrogen with progestin. Hormonal birth control
Contraceptive patches such as norelgestromin/ethinylestradiol are a form of estrogen patch which are used for hormonal birth control. Patches with progestogens
Taking a progestogen in addition to an estrogen patch should be considered for women who have not undergone a hysterectomy to regulate the thickness of the endometrial lining and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Hysterectomized women rarely need a progestogen, however it may be considered if a history of endometriosis exists.