Menopause Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Estraderm and Pregnancy
Pregnant women should avoid using estrogen medications such as Estraderm. Pregnancy problems and birth defects are not likely to occur with Estraderm, but since there is no legitimate medical reason for a pregnant woman to use the drug (and since the full risks are not known), Estraderm should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are already using Estraderm and pregnancy occurs, notify your healthcare provider immediately.
Pregnant women should not use Estraderm® (estradiol patch), since there is no accepted medical reason for them to use the medication. It is important to understand that estrogens (such as Estraderm) are not effective for preventing miscarriages or any other problems in pregnancy.
This drug has been discontinued by its manufacturer and is no longer available. This was not due to any safety concerns but was a business decision. Other brands of estradiol patches remain available.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category X is given to medications that should not be used during pregnancy, usually due to serious problems that could occur (such as birth defects or miscarriages). A Category X rating is the most severe pregnancy rating that can be given to a medication.
Although Estraderm is a Category X medication, it does not appear to increase the risk of birth defects or other problems. However, because there is no accepted, legitimate medical reason for pregnant women to use Estraderm, and because the risks are not fully understood, it should not be used during pregnancy.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD