A new generation of empowered women could be driving the estrogen patch shortages now bedeviling the United States, according to the medical director of The Menopause Society.
The director spoke to a media house on April 27, 2026, and said that this generation is different from baby boomers, who really don’t talk about things like menopause as much as in the past. The GenXers and the first of the millennials are now in the age range where they would begin to experience symptoms and listen to the claim that there is nothing that cannot be done for their symptoms.
According to the experts at the Cleveland Clinic, more than 1 million women in the U.S. enter menopause every year, and many seek help for symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes and sleep problems.
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The interest in hormone therapy has recently seen an uptick, particularly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised its communications in the past year.
According to Reuters, the FDA in November lifted a longstanding black-box warning concerning these therapies.
By the end of February, prescriptions for estrogen patches had spiked by 26% according to information provided by Truveta, a health analytics firm.
Since then, usage of estrogen patches had risen 184%, as well as that of vaginal cream by 122%.
However, in the early 2000s, there was a drastic drop in demand for these therapies in the U.S. market due to a study showing their connection to heart disease and breast cancer.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.