Compare Climara vs. Minivelle

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.

Relieves menopause symptoms.

The Minivelle (estradiol patch) is the mini-me of estrogen patches. It's used twice a week, available in five strengths, and has the least amount of skin irritation.

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4.2/ 5 average rating with 17 reviewsforMinivelle
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.
  • Minivelle (estradiol patch) is the smallest estrogen patch available. It's the size a dime and comes in 5 different strengths.
  • Causes little or no skin irritation and doesn't leave much adhesive on your skin.
  • Minivelle (estradiol patch) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves many symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
  • 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.
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).
  • You need to replace Minivelle (estradiol patch) twice a week, compared to other patches that are once a week.
  • Patches can fall off.
  • Increases your risk of uterine and breast cancer.
  • Increases your risk of developing blood clots and stroke.
  • Can worsen other health conditions, like high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes, fluid retention, and migraines.
  • Can't be used in people with liver problems.
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Used for
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Low estrogen
  • Ovarian failure
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
  • Hot flashes
  • Prevention of bone thinning in postmenopausal women
Dosage forms
  • Patch
  • Patch
Price
Lowest price
$35.04
Find instant savings near you
Lowest price
$35.04
Find instant savings near you
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Reviews
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17 reviews so far
82%
saidit'sworth it
76%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle

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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
20possible side effects
  • Headache
    26%
  • Breast pain
    13%
  • Back pain
    11%
  • Menstrual bleeding
    11%
  • Influenza
    8%
  • Common cold
    8%
  • Nausea
    5%
  • Pain
    5%
  • Sinus infection
    5%
  • Lung infection
    5%
  • Neck pain
    5%
  • Limb pain
    5%
  • Sinus congestion
    5%
  • Joint pain
    4%
  • Depression
    3%
  • Constipation
    2%
  • Flu-like symptoms
    2%
  • Sinus headache
    2%
  • Anxiety
    2%
  • Trouble sleeping
    2%
See more detailed side effects
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
    • 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
Learn more about Climara (estradiol patch)
Learn more about Minivelle (estradiol patch)