US estrogen shortages widen beyond patches

U.S. shortages of menopause hormone treatments have spread beyond estrogen patches to include some injectable and vaginal products, as demand rises and patients turn to alternatives that are also becoming harder to find. The surge follows the FDA’s removal last year of a longstanding boxed warning about potential risks of some hormone therapies, while ongoing supply-chain constraints have made it difficult for manufacturers to keep pace. Drugmakers say they are increasing production, and online pharmacy Cost Plus Drugs says it has largely maintained supplies despite a sharp increase in demand. The FDA has said at least one version of an estrogen patch remains available nationally, though patients and clinicians report difficulty finding particular brands and strengths.