Estrogen patch shortage sparks frustration and concern amid high demand

Essential medication for the treatment of menopause symptoms is in short supply.

Manufacturing issues, brand discontinuations and rising demand are all contributing to a shortage of estrogen patches, leaving many women to go to great lengths to find them.

"I've had people running all over town like literally driving all over Los Angeles," said OB-GYN Suzanne Gilberg, CEO of Monarch.

She said the scarcity is causing havoc.

"It's really a bad idea to make middle-aged women mad," said Gilberg.

A national shortage of estrogen patches is hitting large chains and independents like Elements Pharmacy. Pharmacist Sherri Cherman explains why.

"Some manufacturers have discontinued production. Others are having trouble with their production. And the third is that the FDA removed the black box warnings, so there's a higher volume of prescriptions," she said.

Doctors expressed concern about the lack of available estradiol patches, saying women depend on these patches.

"It helps with sleep, helps manage brain fog, musculoskeletal pain. All these things that have a massive impact on current and future health," said Gilberg.

Availability of different patches can vary from month to month. Sandoz, a manufacturer who makes popular patches, said it will likely face supply issues until the end of this year. Cherman's advice is to be flexible and persistent with your search.

"So pharmacies that might not have product today, but might get product tomorrow," she said.

"I think we 're going to have to go to different generic brands. There's a vaginal ring that can be expensive. Compounded estrogen is an option, but it's expensive and it's out of reach for most people," said Gilberg.

Both Cherman and Gilberg agree if you're going to use online pharmacies, make sure it's one that's trusted and licensed to sell estrogen products.