Key takeaways
Climara (estradiol) and Minivelle (estradiol) are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and to prevent bone loss after menopause. They are both transdermal patches, meaning you apply them to your skin. However, there are some differences between the two. Climara is applied once a week, while Minivelle needs to be applied twice a week. Climara is also approved to treat low estrogen levels due to certain conditions and vaginal dryness caused by menopause, which Minivelle is not. Both medications can cause side effects like headaches and breast pain. Both patches can also raise the risk of blood clots, strokes, and certain cancers, and you might need to take another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus. Climara is available as a lower-cost generic, while Minivelle only comes in a branded version.
