Frequently Asked Questions

The Vivelle-Dot transdermal estrogen patch is a small translucent estrogen patch you apply directly to your abdomen. The Vivelle-Dot patch delivers a continuous release of estradiol (a form of estrogen like your body's own) through your skin and directly into your bloodstream, for relief of moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and atrophy associated with menopause. Vivelle-Dot also helps reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Transdermal estrogen avoids first-pass liver metabolism by delivering estrogen through the skin directly to your bloodstream. Thus, transdermals achieve effective hormone levels with smaller total doses compared to pills. This does not mean that Vivelle-Dot is safer or more effective than estrogen pills.

Place the Vivelle-Dot patch on your lower abdomen, changing the location each time you change the patch. You should allow an interval of at least one week before you place the patch in the same spot again. Vivelle-Dot is designed to stay on securely for the entire dosing period of 3 ½ days. Contact with water, whether you are bathing, showering, or swimming, should have no effect on the patch.

Most likely not. Vivelle-Dot has been shown to have a low rate of skin irritation. Before you apply Vivelle-Dot, make sure your skin is clean (freshly washed), dry, and cool. Your skin should be free of any powder, oil, moisturizer, or lotion. It should not have any cuts and/or irritations (rash or other skin problems) in the area that you wish to apply the patch.

If your estrogen patch falls off, you can reapply the same patch to a different area of your lower abdomen. If necessary, you may apply a new patch, but continue with your original "patch days" schedule.

Menopause, also known as the "change of life," is a stage of a woman's reproductive cycle that occurs when ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to slowly shut down. It's confirmed when 12 months have passed since a woman's last menstrual period. Most women experience natural menopause around the age of 51. Menopause can also occur when the ovaries are surgically removed, often resulting in a sudden onset of menopausal symptoms.

The phase before menopause is called premenopause or perimenopause. It is the transitional stage before complete cessation of the menstrual cycle. It usually begins in a woman's 40s, and can last several years. During this time, a woman gradually stops ovulating and her ovaries taper off their production of estrogen and progesterone.

The process of menopause usually is completely natural. This change can be prompted by surgical removal of the ovaries. It can also result from severe damage to the ovaries, sometimes caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatments. A hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) ends a woman's reproductive cycle, but will not bring about menopause as long as the ovaries continue to function.

Remember that while all women eventually go through menopause, each will have a slightly different experience.

While menopause is associated with many physical and emotional symptoms, some women experience no noticeable symptoms at all. Symptoms to watch for include hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and atrophy. Only a doctor can accurately determine if symptoms indicate the onset of menopause and whether treatment may be appropriate

Menopause is a stage of a woman's reproductive cycle that occurs when ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to slowly shut down. The woman's loss of estrogen causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and atrophy.

You and your doctor should discuss treatment options. Be sure to consider the risks of each option. Estrogen therapy comes in several forms, including pills, topicals, and the ring. Vivelle-Dot is a transdermal estrogen patch that has been proven to relieve moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and atrophy associated with menopause. It also helps prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Many women find that estrogen therapy helps control moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and atrophy associated with menopause.

Women also are at higher risk for developing osteoporosis after menopause. Some estrogen therapy, including Vivelle-Dot, helps to lower this risk so that women go through the second phase of life with healthier bones. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.

If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.

Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).

Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).

Estrogen therapy should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.

The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.

There are several different types of estrogen therapy including patches, pills, topicals, and the ring. While all hormone therapies have similarities, there are differences in dosage strength, delivery (patch, pill, topical products, or vaginal ring), indication (used for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause, such as vaginal dryness or hot flashes, and/or for osteoporosis prevention), regimen (combination therapy, estrogen-only therapy) and frequency (every day, twice a week, etc). Some therapies include a combination of hormones, while others are estrogen only.

Estrogen therapy does not cause permanent weight gain. Some women experience temporary weight gain due to water retention. A slowing metabolism, common as people age, should be accounted for in reduced calorie intake and regular exercise. Estrogen therapies, including Vivelle-Dot, are not indicated for weight loss.

It is recommended that women who use hormone therapy to manage symptoms associated with menopause use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary to meet their treatment goals. Different solutions are right for different women, depending on each woman's health history, current symptoms and personal preferences. You and your doctor should regularly (every 3 to 6 months) discuss if you still need estrogen therapy. Together you can make the right choice for you.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the reduction of bone mass associated with menopause. This condition causes bones, including the spine, wrist, and hip bones to become more fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is called a silent disease because there are no obvious symptoms in the early stages. It happens slowly over years, so that often you might not be aware your bones are weakening until you break a bone. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is most common in the hip, in the wrist, and in your spine, also called your vertebrae.

There are many factors that put women at higher risk of osteoporosis. Being postmenopausal is one. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass during the first 10 years following menopause. Other risk factors include being female; being thin with a small frame; being an older adult; having a family history of osteoporosis; cigarette smoking; and consuming more than two alcoholic beverages per day.

Vivelle-Dot is approved for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment of medicine without estrogens might be better for you.

A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. A bone density test can detect postmenopausal osteoporosis and can predict your chances of having a fracture in the future. A common BMD test is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA test. There are also other test options, like the Fracture Risk Assessment Test (FRAX test), to meet your individual needs.

There are many things that can be done to maintain healthy bones. These include: adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol intake. Some estrogen therapies such as Vivelle-Dot are indicated to help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.