Oestrogen patches are used as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) to replace oestrogen. Your ovaries are no longer making oestrogen during perimenopause and after menopause. The hormone from the patch is absorbed through the skin and into the body to prevent and manage menopausal symptoms. Read more about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
If you haven't had a hysterectomy (operation to remove the uterus), you must take another type of hormone called a progestogen as well as using the oestrogen patches. Adding progestogen helps to protect the lining of the uterus. If you haven't been asked to take a progestogen, talk to your doctor.
Note: Oestrogen is also available as tablets or vaginal cream or pessaries. The information on this page is only about oestrogen skin patches. Read more about oestrogen vaginal cream or pessaries or oestrogen tablets.