Blumenthal Demands FDA Action on Estrogen Patch Shortage

[Hartford, CT]—U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today wrote to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding the agency take immediate steps to alleviate the drug shortage of estrogen patches, a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), currently impacting women experiencing menopause across the U.S.

“I strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with manufacturers to mitigate supply issues and restore reliable access to estrogen to protect patients. This includes adding estrogen patches to the FDA’s Drug Shortage Database, seeking alternative suppliers, and extending expiration dates for HRT drugs as appropriate,” Blumenthal wrote.

Estrogen patches are the preferred form of hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing menopausal symptoms impacting their quality of life and workforce production. In the past two years, the use of HRT patches has more than doubled, but a persistent shortage has prevented many women from accessing the care they need.

Recently, Women’s Health Connecticut, a provider of gynecology care serving over 330,000 Connecticut women annually, reported a significant supply gap with only 10 percent of their patients with a prescription for an estrogen patch able to access their prescription. Women’s Health Connecticut President and Chief Executive Office Paula Greenberg joined Senator Blumenthal at a press conference announcing the letter today.

“Drug manufacturers of hormone replacement therapy patches still aren’t prepared to meet the increase in demand with additional production of the medication for patients,” said Paula Greenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health Connecticut. “Hormone replacement therapy is an important tool for improving quality of life and workforce production for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. When access to a patient's preferred prescription is disrupted by the supply chain, Women's Health Connecticut prioritizes supporting our patients and advocating on their behalf. We are grateful to Senator Blumenthal for joining us in our pursuit and contacting the FDA on this important issue facing women nationwide.”

In his letter, Blumenthal notes that the FDA said last month it was working with manufacturers to increase supply of the patches, but stopped short of declaring a shortage

“American women battling menopause deserve access to comprehensive medical care and treatments or we risk eliminating years of progress in women’s health. I urge the FDA to take every possible step to address this shortage and work to prevent future disruptions,” Blumenthal wrote.

A full copy of Blumenthal’s letter is available here and below:

October 28, 2026

Mr. Kyle Diamantas

Acting Commissioner

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20993

Dear Acting Commissioner Diamantas,

I write today to highlight growing concerns regarding the ongoing shortage of estradiol transdermal patches (estrogen patches) currently impacting women experiencing menopause across the country. I strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with manufacturers to mitigate supply issues and restore reliable access to estrogen to protect patients. This includes adding estrogen patches to the FDA’s Drug Shortage Database, seeking alternative suppliers, and extending expiration dates for HRT drugs as appropriate.

Last year, the FDA removed a black box warning for estrogen patches to reflect current scientific consensus supporting the safety and efficacy of estrogen patches in helping women manage menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, decreased bone density, and more. The surge in demand left patients scrambling to fill their prescription. As a result, women are experiencing disruptions in their treatment with many reporting joining long waiting lists[1] or discontinuing use all together.[2]

Each day, approximately 6,000 women in the United States reach menopause[3] and in a given year more than 8 million women experience symptoms that affect their quality of life.[4] Despite the prevalence, very few are able to access treatment.[5] Estrogen patches are the most common form of hormone therapy for women experiencing menopause and help to alleviate symptoms by gradually releasing estrogen through the skin.[6] In the past two years, the use of estrogen patches has more than doubled from 594,000 prescriptions in June 2024 to 1.6 million prescriptions in May 2026.[7] While the demand for this treatment has increased, persistent shortages have prevented women from accessing the care they need.

Recently, Women’s Health Connecticut, a provider of gynecology care serving over 330,000 Connecticut women annually, reported that only 10 percent of their patients with a prescription for estrogen patches were able to access their prescriptions. Further, their pharmacy data revealed that their monthly fill rate declined from approximately 50 percent to below 8 percent recently.[8] One woman in Connecticut reported having to stop her treatment after calling numerous pharmacies in search of her estrogen patch and being told there were “72 people in the queue waiting for them”.[9]

Last month, FDA said it was working with manufacturers to increase supply of the patches but has stopped short of declaring a shortage.[10] Further, while FDA has recommended that individuals work with their health care providers to find alternative treatments, estrogen patches, are the preferred formulation and recommended by providers over other alternatives.[11] That is why it is imperative that FDA use its authorities to mitigate this shortage before it gets worse.

American women battling menopause deserve access to comprehensive medical care and treatments or we risk eliminating years of progress in women’s health. I urge the FDA to take every possible step to address this shortage and work to prevent future disruptions.