Estrogen patch
An estrogen patch, or 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.
| Estrogen patch | |
|---|---|
| Drug class | |
Vivelle-Dot, an estrogen patch. | |
| Class identifiers | |
| Use | Menopause, hypogonadism, transgender women, contraception, prostate cancer, others |
| Biological target | Estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ, mERs (e.g., GPER, others)) |
| Legal status | |
| In Wikidata | |
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.