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Vivelle-Dot Alternatives
If your menopause symptoms do not improve, or if you develop any side effects while taking Vivelle-Dot, alternatives to the medication are available. Other estrogen medicines, as well as combination products that contain both estrogen and other hormones, are available to choose from. Other Vivelle-Dot alternatives include natural remedies and coping strategies.
Vivelle-Dot® (estradiol patch) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. Although Vivelle-Dot is approved for several different uses, it is most often used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Vivelle-Dot works well for most women and is usually well tolerated. However, for some women, the risks of using Vivelle-Dot may outweigh the potential benefits, or Vivelle-Dot may not work as well as desired. Fortunately, there are several Vivelle-Dot alternatives for menopause treatment, including:
- Coping strategies
- Other conventional medications
- Natural remedies.
Medications are not always the answer to all menopause symptoms. If you cannot take Vivelle-Dot or other estrogen medications (or if you desire to avoid such medications), you may want to try other, non-drug ways to deal with the symptoms. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can work wonders for some menopause symptoms. Any measures to improve your overall health will likely help to improve your menopause symptoms as well. Also, there are a variety of vaginal lubricants and moisturizers currently available that can help provide relief from vaginal dryness and irritation. Some are even designed especially for menopausal women.
(For more ideas on ways to cope with menopause symptoms, see Menopause Relief.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD