Estraderm Patches (estradiol or oestradiol) are a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women. It contains a form of the female hormone estrogen, which is vital for regulating a wide variety of processes in the body. As women age, estrogen levels gradually drop; after menopause, estrogen levels plummet. The medication is most frequently used to help manage symptoms of low estrogen in post-menopausal women, but patients may also buy Estraderm Patches to treat other estrogen-related conditions:

• Infertility
• Certain ovarian disorders
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Post-menopausal osteoporosis prevention
• Male-to-female gender change

Women who have entered menopause naturally (i.e., have not had a hysterectomy) should take a progestogen hormone along with estradiol, to minimize risk of endometrial cancer.

There are many options for estrogen replacement therapy, ranging from tablets to injections. Many women prefer to buy Estraderm Patches simply for convenience of administration; a more significant benefit is that the transdermal delivery method of patches bypasses the liver. When the medication is filtered through the liver, as is the case with tablets, effectiveness may be reduced and additional, potentially serious, side effects may develop.

Making the Most of Menopause

Many women experience very mild symptoms of menopause and don't require hormone replacement therapy. For those not so lucky, symptoms can range from disruptive to dangerous:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Vaginal dryness or itching
• Painful intercourse
• Loss of bone density

The above symptoms may all be caused by decreased levels of estrogen, and is likely the case in post-menopausal women. But other conditions can produce similar symptoms as well; patients should not buy Estraderm Patches unless low levels of estrogen have been diagnosed.

With treatment, symptoms of low estrogen will gradually begin to reverse, though it may take 3 to 8 weeks before significant improvements are noticed.

Note that the patches are available in several different strengths. With very few exceptions (e.g., gender change), patients should start with the lowest strength patch and only increase dosage if the lower strength is ineffective.

Patches are easy to use:

• Clean and dry application site; buttocks, lower back, lower abdomen, or hips are best.
• Never apply Estraderm Patches (or any other hormone patch) to breasts.
• Remove backing from patch and press it firmly to application site for 10 seconds.
• Try not to apply where it will be rubbed by tight clothing (such as the waistline of pants), or where it will be exposed to extensive sunlight.
• It is safe to shower, bath, or swim with the patch on.
• Patches should be replaced every 3 or 4 days.
• Women who have a uterus should use patches for 3 weeks, then use a progestin for 1 week before resuming treatment.
• Women who have had a hysterectomy can use the patches continuously.
• Rotate application sites; do not apply new patches in the exact same spot where the last one was.
• Extensive exposure to steam or sweat may loosen a patch; if it cannot be reapplied, apply a new patch.

Duration of treatment can vary considerably. Some women are able to stop hormone replacement therapy entirely after the body fully adjusts to menopause; others need larger doses indefinitely to manage symptoms. A great many women have used estradiol patches for decades without issue.

Buy Estraderm Patches from a Trusted Source

Kiwi Drug is New Zealand's most trusted online pharmacy for a reason--we cut costs, not quality. Our clients know they can be confident they will receive 100 percent authentic products from us, 100 percent of the time.

Clients do not need a prescription to buy Estraderm Patches from Kiwi Drug; those who don't have a prescription may need to answer a few questions for our online doctor.