Compare Combipatch vs. Prefest

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

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Treats low estrogen and relieves menopause symptoms.

Combipatch (estradiol / norethindrone patch) is a twice weekly patch that effectively treats menopause and causes less blood clots or stroke than combination pills.

Relieves menopause symptoms and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.

Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate) is effective at treating symptoms related to menopause and bone loss. It has a difficult dosing schedule to follow, but doesn't affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels as much as other estrogen products.

Upsides
  • Twice weekly patch. Good for people who don't want to take daily pills.
  • Replenishes estrogen to your whole body and relieves multiple symptoms due to low estrogen (hot flashes, vaginal dryness).
  • Less likely to cause blood clots or stroke than pills since patches contain a lower amount of hormones.
  • Good for women with an intact uterus.
  • You can bathe, shower, and swim while wearing the patch, as long as you don't rub the patch.
  • Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate) replenishes estrogen to your whole body and relieves multiple symptoms due to low estrogen (hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness).
  • Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy. Make sure you also get enough calcium and Vitamin D.
  • Improves mood, energy, and mental alertness for some people.
  • Good for women with an intact uterus. The norgestimate (a progestin) protects against the risk of cancer in the uterus caused by estrogen treatment.
  • Doesn't affect your cholesterol levels as much as other estrogen treatments.
Downsides
  • More potential side effects than single ingredient medications since it exposes your whole body to two hormones.
  • You may get irregular bleeding and spotting that can last a few months to a year.
  • The patch can't be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
  • Can be expensive since it's only available as a brand name product.
  • More potential side effects since it exposes your whole body to two hormones, estrogen and norgestimate (a progestin).
  • Dosing schedule can be hard to follow with the 2 different kind of pills (estrogen-only and estrogen/progestin pills).
  • Increases your risk of developing blood clots and stroke.
  • You may get irregular bleeding and spotting that can last a few months to a year.
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Used for
  • Hot flashes
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Low estrogen
  • Primary ovarian failure
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness and inflammation
  • Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Dosage forms
  • Patch
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$198.09
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Lowest price
$147.66
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Side effects
24possible side effects
  • Breast pain
    25%
  • Menstrual cramps
    20%
  • Headache
    18%
  • Back pain
    11%
  • Nausea
    11%
  • Flu like symptoms
    9%
  • Weakness
    8%
  • Abnormal pap smear
    8%
  • Stomach pain
    7%
  • Lung problems
    7%
  • Stuffy nose
    7%
  • Pain
    6%
  • Menstrual problems
    6%
  • Vaginal inflammation
    6%
  • Vaginal discharge
    5%
  • Accidental injury
    4%
  • Diarrhea
    4%
  • Gas
    4%
  • Sore throat
    4%
  • Sinus infection
    4%
  • Depression
    3%
  • Trouble sleeping
    3%
  • Nervousness
    3%
  • Skin irritation
    2%
See more detailed side effects
22possible side effects
  • Headache
    23%
  • Upper respiratory-tract infection
    21%
  • Breast pain
    16%
  • Back pain
    12%
  • Abdominal pain
    12%
  • Influenza-like symptoms
    11%
  • Arthralgia
    9%
  • Vaginal bleeding (all)
    9%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    8%
  • Sinusitis
    8%
  • Vaginitis
    7%
  • Pharyngitis
    7%
  • Fatigue
    6%
  • Pain
    6%
  • Nausea
    6%
  • Viral infection
    6%
  • Flatulence
    5%
  • Tooth disorder
    5%
  • Myalgia
    5%
  • Dizziness
    5%
  • Depression
    5%
  • Coughing
    5%
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)
  • Dementia
    • Aged 65 or older
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
  • Gallbladder problems
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Endometrial cancer
    • Using estrogen for more than one year
  • Breast cancer
    • Personal or family history of breast cancer
    • Duration of use
  • Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
    • Personal or family history of blood clots
    • Obesity
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Harm to fetus
    • Women of childbearing age
  • Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
    • High levels of triglycerides
  • Ovarian cancer
    • Family history of ovarian cancer
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Combipatch (estradiol / norethindrone patch)
Learn more about Prefest (Estradiol / Norgestimate)