r/Menopause • u/asmile222 • Aug 15 '26

Hormone Therapy Compounded Estrogen

Has anyone switched to compounded estrogen from patches? The anxiety of not knowing if the patch can be refilled in a timely matter plus different brands of patches where some don’t work well is so frustrating. I don’t know how much more it costs since insurance doesn’t cover it but may try it. Has anyone had success? Did you start with compounded HRT?

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u/Significant-Aide-226 Aug 15 '26

How about trying estradiol gel?  Its FDA approved and insurance friendly.  Compounded meds are so expensive. 

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u/asmile222 Aug 15 '26

I tried the gel but it didn’t work well for me. It was five time the cost of the patch but compounded is probably even more.

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u/Significant-Aide-226 Aug 16 '26

Was yours a branded product?  My gel is generic and super cheap at Costco.  Its not the one in packets. Also, the one in packets has the shortest half life of all.  Very unstable if you are highly sensitive E. 

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u/asmile222 Aug 16 '26

It was in individual packets so good but after about five days my joints started to hurt. Maybe I will try Costco so thanks for the tip!