Having trouble getting your hormone medication?
We're currently seeing significant availability problems with certain hormone medications. Whether your pharmacy is out, your medication is backordered, or you're tired of calling around, start here.
The HRT Club has every estradiol patch dose and EstroGel in stock →Having trouble with availability?
Something else?
My medication is too expensive Compare lower-cost options →Can I find my exact medication?
Start here — choose your medication and we'll show you the fastest place to get it, plus your backup plan. It takes about ten seconds.
Local pharmacy stock changes quickly — call ahead before you go or transfer. The HRT Club has every estradiol patch dose in stock, so there's no need to call them first.
Would a pharmacy with more reliable stock solve it?
If your current medication is working well, this lets you keep the same prescription and stop hunting. We're seeing the most stock trouble at large chains like CVS and Walgreens — these three routes have held up far better.
The HRT Club
The HRT Club has every estradiol patch dose in stock, plus EstroGel (estradiol gel in a pump) — so unlike local pharmacies, there's no need to call around first. A membership pharmacy stocking FDA-approved bioidentical estradiol (patch, gel pump, oral), shipped to your door, with 3-month supplies available.
How pricing works: you pay the price of your medication plus a $12/month membership (or $99/year — code HRTSAVE takes $15 off, making it $84/year). You can submit your medication cost to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Why we recommend it
- Every estradiol patch dose in stock, plus EstroGel (estradiol gel in a pump)
- 3-month supplies available — fewer orders to manage
- Cash-pay — no insurance required to order
- You can submit your medication cost to your insurance for possible reimbursement
- Your cost is the medication price plus a $12/month membership (or $99/year — code HRTSAVE takes $15 off the annual plan)
- Savings of up to 90% off cash price on many medications
- Has its own prescription-transfer form — if you have refills, you may not need to contact us
Local independent pharmacy
In our patients' experience, local independent pharmacies have been significantly more consistent with hormone medication stock during the shortage. A-1 Pharmacy (3501 Severn Ave, Metairie) is typically the most affordable and accepts insurance; Castellon Pharmacy (New Orleans) has also been a reliable option. Not near either? An independent pharmacy near you is worth a call before a chain.
A-1 approximate cash prices
- Estradiol patches~$40
- Estradiol gel~$43
- Vaginal estrogen tablets~$40
- Progesterone~$24
Mail-order pharmacy
Amazon Pharmacy delivers and accepts insurance. Cost Plus Drugs is cash-pay with transparent pricing — stock varies by strength right now.
Not ideal if you need medication this week — allow time for account setup, processing, and shipping.
Am I done dealing with this formulation's shortages?
You don't have to keep searching for the same patch or gel. Several estradiol options aren't affected by the same retail supply chain — and switching is a portal message to your provider, not a battle.
- EstroGel — estradiol gel in a pump, in stock at The HRT Club
- Estradiol spray — applied to the skin daily
- Femring — a systemic vaginal ring replaced every 3 months
- Oral estradiol — usually inexpensive and widely available, but not appropriate for everyone based on medical history
- Other patch or gel doses may also be available depending on strength
- Available as compounded patch, gel, or cream
- Not dependent on the retail supply chain
- Allows customized dosing
- Cash-pay; insurance generally does not cover compounded medications
Changing formulations requires a new prescription, and dosing is not always a direct 1:1 conversion. Before you message us, it helps to read the care guide for the formulation you're considering in our education library — on the patch? Read the gel guide, and vice versa.
I'm currently using:
What matters most to me:
Pick one from each row and your three best-fit options appear here.
Dosing isn't a direct 1:1 conversion between formulations, and not every option fits every medical history — your provider confirms the right switch and dose. Want every option in full detail? See the complete comparison below.
Compare every option
The complete side-by-side — cost, insurance, pros and cons for every estradiol formulation, FDA-approved and compounded.
What does "FDA-approved" vs. "compounded" mean?
FDA-approved
Manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and tested by the FDA for safety, quality, and consistent dosing before they can be sold. Many insurances cover these medications, but coverage varies.
Compounded
Custom-made by a compounding pharmacy, often to create a specific dose, combination, or delivery method not otherwise available. Compounding pharmacies are licensed and regulated by state pharmacy boards, and many follow additional quality standards (such as PCAB accreditation). They offer more flexibility in dosing and formulation than FDA-approved products. Insurance coverage is not possible with these. While many women do great with compounded medications, for some women results may not be as consistent as those found with medications from retail pharmacies.
Not sure where to start? Tell us what matters most.
Pick one — we'll highlight the options that fit best.
Not all formulations may be available to everyone, based on your medical history. Your provider can help determine which options are appropriate for you.
Other medication access help
Cost, refills and transfers, and when a pharmacy problem becomes a clinic problem.
Paying more than you expected?
Cash prices for the same medication vary enormously from one pharmacy to the next — the price a large chain quotes you is not "the" price. Most cost problems resolve without contacting us.
- Ask your pharmacy for its cash price — even if you use insurance, cash is sometimes lower, and pharmacies don't always volunteer it. Then compare it to the benchmark above. In our experience, large chains tend to quote the highest cash prices.
- If it's more than that, move the prescription. The HRT Club is usually the biggest savings (up to 90% off chain cash prices; you pay the medication price plus a $12/month membership, or $99/year with code HRTSAVE taking $15 off), and 3-month supplies are available. You can submit the medication cost to your insurance for possible reimbursement. A-1 Pharmacy (Metairie) runs around $40 for patches or gel with same-day pickup. Cost Plus Drugs has listed around $39 for patches, $23 for gel, and $6 for oral estradiol. See the pharmacies ↑
- Still too much? Consider a lower-cost formulation. Oral estradiol is often just a few dollars a month — but it isn't an option for everyone. It carries a blood-clot risk the transdermal forms don't, so whether it fits depends on your medical history. Compare costs across every option ↑ — switching is a provider conversation.
Found a cheaper pharmacy? Moving your prescription follows the same refill rules below — and confirm they have your dose in stock before you transfer.
Moving your prescription: check your label first
Whether you found stock somewhere new or found a better price, one thing decides your next step — the refill count printed on your bottle or box label.
- Refills remainingCall the pharmacy that has your medication and ask them to transfer your existing prescription. They handle it directly with your old pharmacy. No need to contact us.
- 0 refillsUse our refill request form and tell us which pharmacy has it in stock — we'll send it there.
- TestosteroneFor testosterone refill requirements, see menopauselouisiana.com/continuing-testosterone.
How a pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfer actually works — and why it's the better route
Why transfer instead of asking us for a new prescription? It's the most direct route — one pharmacist-to-pharmacist call, often completed the same day — and your remaining refills move with it. A new prescription, by contrast, lands in the pharmacy's general incoming queue and waits its turn; a transfer puts a pharmacist on your prescription while you're on the phone. It also keeps just one active prescription in existence: if you use insurance, a duplicate can flag your claim and delay or deny the fill; even paying cash, a leftover prescription at your old pharmacy creates confusion later. Transferring closes it out cleanly.
You only make one call — to the pharmacy that has your medication. You never need to call your old pharmacy; the two pharmacies handle it directly with each other.
Have ready: your name and date of birth, your medication and dose, and your current pharmacy's name and phone number. That's everything the new pharmacy needs.
Transfers usually complete within a few hours to 1–2 business days — so don't wait until your last patch or packet to start. And confirm the new pharmacy has your dose in stock before requesting the transfer, or you've moved your prescription somewhere that can't fill it.
When does the clinic need to step in?
Most of this page you can solve directly with a pharmacy — usually faster than waiting on us. Here's the line between the two.
Price, stock, ordering, transfers
Call the pharmacy, or transfer per the refill rules above. If two pharmacies were out and HRT Club doesn't work for you, text us for access help — you don't need to keep calling.
Text (504) 389-2078A different medication, dose, or formulation
This is where we step in. If you've struck out twice and HRT Club isn't a fit, or you're ready to switch forms, message your provider in the portal. Include your medication and dose, how many days of medication you have left, whether your label shows refills, and which pharmacy to send it to.
Message my provider about another option →