Compare Climara vs. Depo-Estradiol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Treats low estrogen, relieves menopause symptoms, and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

Climara (estradiol patch) is a treatment for low estrogen that is used only once weekly, and it may have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills.

Treats low estrogen and relieves menopause symptoms.

Depo-Estradiol (estradiol cypionate injection) is a good once-a-month option for treating menopause symptoms and low estrogen, as long as you're comfortable with needles.

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3.2/ 5 average rating with 109 reviewsforDepo-Estradiol
Upsides
  • Climara (estradiol patch) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves many symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
  • The patch is good for people who don't want to or can't take daily pills.
  • Climara (estradiol patch) is available as a generic product, which lowers the cost.
  • By using a patch instead of a pill, there's a lower risk of side effects such as blood clots and stroke since lower amounts of estrogen are used in patches.
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy.
  • You only need an injection once a month, which can be less of a hassle than pills, patches, creams, and gels.
  • Your doctor can show you how to inject yourself so you can do it on your own at home.
  • Replenishes estrogen to your whole body and relieves multiple symptoms.
  • Less side effects since lower amounts of estrogen is used compared to the pills.
Downsides
  • The patch can fall off, especially if you like to regularly swim, take baths or use saunas or steamrooms.
  • Increases your risk of uterine and breast cancer.
  • If you have your uterus, you have to use the Climara (estradiol patch) with another hormone called progestin to lower your risk of uterine cancer.
  • Can worsen other health conditions, like high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes, fluid retention, underactive thyroid and migraines.
  • If you're only having vaginal dryness or inflammation and not hot flashes, it's better to use creams that you can apply to the affected area instead of Climara (estradiol patch).
  • Requires injection with a needle, which can be difficult for some people.
  • Increases your risk of endometrial and breast cancer.
  • If you have an intact uterus, you have to use Depo-Estradiol (estradiol cypionate injection) with another hormone called progestin to lower your risk of uterine cancer.
  • Can't be used in people with liver problems.
  • Can be expensive since it's only available as a brand name product.
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Used for
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Low estrogen
  • Ovarian failure
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Dosage forms
  • Patch
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$36.21
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Lowest price
$112.56
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Reviews
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109 reviews so far
40%
saidit'sworth it
28%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Depo-Estradiol (estradiol cypionate injection)?

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Side effects
16possible side effects
  • Breast pain
    28%
  • Lung infection
    17%
  • Stomach pain
    16%
  • Headache
    13%
  • Pain
    11%
  • Swelling of arms and legs
    10%
  • Back pain
    9%
  • Depression
    8%
  • Gas
    7%
  • White or yellow vaginal discharge
    7%
  • Sore throat
    7%
  • Nausea
    6%
  • Stuffy nose
    6%
  • Joint pain
    5%
  • Sinus infection
    5%
  • Itchiness
    3%
See more detailed side effects
The Depo-Estradiol (estradiol cypionate injection) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Breast cancer
    • Personal or family history of breast cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Increased risk of heart disease
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • High blood pressure
    • High blood sugar
    • High cholesterol
    • Age 50 or older
  • Dementia
    • Age 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Taking estrogen replacement for more than one year
  • Breast cancer
    • Personal or family history of breast cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Increased risk of heart disease
    • Smoking
    • Obesity
    • High blood pressure
    • High blood sugar
    • High cholesterol
    • Aged 50 or older
  • Dementia
    • Aged 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Climara (estradiol patch)
Learn more about Depo-Estradiol (estradiol cypionate injection)