Estradiol Patch Vs. Oestra by Inner Balance

Inner Balance is new to the HRT market, but what makes it different?

I've been on HRT of one formulation or another since 2019, so for six years. I've tried Winona, Alloy, MyMenopauseRx, Midi Health, Joi Women's Wellness, Effecty and Inner Balance. They are all online, telehealth providers, each with their own spin on how to prescribe HRT medications and help guide you through Perimenopause and Menopause.

Does Estrogen Go Up or Down during Menopause?

There are three main hormones that we ladies have. Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone. All three hormones drop over the years leading up to and after menopause. This is what causes the symptoms we are all familiar with. Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog, Moodiness and Rage.

Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT is the practice of replacing any one or all three of these hormones. In this blog, I'm focusing on estrogen primarily.

Estradiol comes in various formulations. Topical creams/gels, transdermal patches, pills/tablets and vaginal cream.

What is Estradiol

Estradiol is one of three types of estrogen that we have. Most common HRT prescriptions have the Estradiol (E2) type in it. The new to market face creams have Estriol (E3) in them, rather than Estradiol (E2).

1. Estradiol (E2)

Role: The most potent estrogen, vital for reproductive health, menstrual cycles, bone, skin, and brain function.

Produced: Mainly by the ovaries during childbearing years.

2. Estrone (E1)

Role: A weaker estrogen, important for bone health and maintaining estrogen levels after menopause.

Produced: Primarily in fat tissue and adrenal glands after menopause.

3. Estriol (E3)

Role: The main estrogen during pregnancy, supporting fetal growth and preparing the body for childbirth.

Produced: Mainly by the placenta during pregnancy.

Estradiol Formulations Delivery Methods

Estradiol (estrogen) can be delivered through various methods, including oral pills, transdermal patches, gels, or sprays, and vaginal creams, tablets, or rings. Injections and pellets inserted under the skin are also available options.

The best method depends on individual health needs, lifestyle, and a discussion with a healthcare provider.

Transdermal Estradiol Patch

For most of us, it will be how we respond to the various delivery methods that makes one formulation better than another.

For me, the least effective that I've tried thus far was the topical cream that I rubbed on my inner arms. It didn't absorb well enough for systemic (whole body) effectiveness.

The estradiol patch was good for me, I changed it out twice per week. But when I was using the patch I was also prescribed the progesterone tablets that I took nightly and an estradiol vaginal insert that I had to remember to put in twice per week. It was ALOT to remember. Also, even with this common trio of HRT products my sleep wasn't where I wanted it.

Many of the online, telehealth providers if they don't take insurance will accept your HSA Credit Card. Many of these providers offer HRT products at self-pay discounted prices.

Is the Estrogen Patch or Inner Balance covered by Prescription Insurance

The transdermal estradiol patch has been around over 30 years. It's an age-old HRT product that has been approved by the FDA and therefore is covered by most prescription insurance plans. But I'm always the one who wants the greatest and newest-to-market product, which is why I was super excited to try Oestra by Inner Balance.

Oestra contains 3 mg of Estradiol (E2) and 100 mg of Progesterone per pump. What makes it different than all the others is it's delivery method. Unlike the patch that you place on your skin and is absorbed transdermal, Oestra is applied with an applicator or your fingers vaginally one time per day. One product with an easy to remember dosing schedule, compared to three prescriptions with different dosing schedules.

Oestra will not be covered by prescription insurance because it's not yet gone through the rigorous FDA testing and also because it can be custom dosed. This means your Inner Balance HRT Clinician could prescribe a different number of pumps from the jar as your dose and they could also tweak the amount of progesterone or estradiol in your batch of product.

The benefit of customization is what makes it impossible for it to be FDA approved as there are so many options. This also means that no matter how finicky your body may be, Inner Balance docs can customize your dose multiple times until it's just right for you.

When I was on the patch, I was also prescribed Estradiol inserts and Progesterone Tablets

Inner Balance and Estradiol Patch Cost

The patch, if you use your insurance will likely cost you about $10 to $15 per month. But don't forget, you have to also add in the cost of Progesterone and Vaginal Estradiol to that batch of prescriptions that you'll need. Oh, and don't forget you have to pay for doctor visits and consultations. The cost of the patch if you are not using insurance, but rather utilizing one of the telehealth providers that offer self-pay discounted options could be anywhere from $75 (Alloy) to $149 (Winona) per month.

Inner Balance is one price for the first six months ($199) and then a reduced price ($99) from month seven and beyond. The increased price in the first six months means they can and will tweak your dose as often as needed until it works perfectly for you. It also means that when compared to other HRT products at $99 per month Oestra is right in line with the others that offer discounted self-pay HRT options. Plus, Oestra is a new-to-market option that reflects the latest advances in hormone replacement therapy delivery methods, formulated by Dr. Sarah Daccarett, CEO and founder of Inner Balance.

Each pump of Oestra includes Estradiol and Progesterone together.

Estradiol Patch Vs. Oestra by Inner Balance

So which is better? For me, I feel about the same on the patch combo as I do on Inner Balance. I have zero Night Sweats, Hot Flashes and no longer want to murder my husband on a daily basis.

But, in my opinion what makes Oestra by Inner Balance better is two thoughts. One, having to only manage and remember to take one product daily makes Oestra by Inner Balance just easier to use and less cumbersome than juggling three HRT prescriptions.

And two, my sleep has greatly improved. I fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer which makes the cost of Oestra well worth every penny to me.

Be sure to see my Trusted Providers page where I share all seven online, telehealth providers I've become a patient over the past two years. You'll find HRT product reviews and comparisons on the ones I've tried. There are also some coupon codes and links that provide discounts to get started.

Trusted HRT telehealth, Online Providers