Estradiol Transdermal Systemestradiol
According to the FDA label: Estradiol Vaginal Cream, 0.01% is indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause.
48,792 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (1993–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Estradiol Transdermal System in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
Show these terms with plain-language definitions
Tap any term below for a plain-language definition.
Drug Ineffective 4,273 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Product Adhesion Issue 4,253 reports
A report that a medication meant to stick to the skin, such as a patch, did not adhere properly. This is a product-performance category.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 2,796 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Nausea 2,763 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Fatigue 2,749 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 2,443 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Pain 1,976 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Diarrhoea 1,843 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Breast Cancer Female 1,708 reports
A report of breast cancer in a female patient. It may appear in reports as a condition being treated or monitored, not necessarily as a reaction.
Full definition in the glossary →Dizziness 1,650 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Hot Flush 1,593 reports
A sudden feeling of heat, often in the face and upper body, sometimes with sweating. Often called a hot flash in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Arthralgia 1,558 reports
Rash 1,535 reports
An area of irritated, red, or bumpy skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pruritus 1,483 reports
Wrong Technique in Product Usage Process 1,438 reports
A report that the medication was used or administered with the wrong technique, such as an incorrect injection or inhaler method. This is a usage category, not a sign of a problem with the drug itself.
Full definition in the glossary →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 44,506 |
| Male | 794 |
| Unknown | 96 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 395 |
| 18-34 | 1,099 |
| 35-49 | 4,530 |
| 50-64 | 12,258 |
| 65-74 | 4,985 |
| 75+ | 2,454 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Estradiol Transdermal System. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 27,110 |
| Other Serious | 16,998 |
| Hospitalization | 6,882 |
| Disability | 1,215 |
| Death | 869 |
| Life-Threatening | 815 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Estradiol Transdermal System. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 1 |
| 2004 | 524 |
| 2005 | 571 |
| 2006 | 402 |
| 2007 | 1,463 |
| 2008 | 428 |
| 2009 | 598 |
| 2010 | 952 |
| 2011 | 841 |
| 2012 | 1,141 |
| 2013 | 872 |
| 2014 | 1,106 |
| 2015 | 2,092 |
| 2016 | 2,569 |
| 2017 | 2,524 |
| 2018 | 2,892 |
| 2019 | 3,372 |
| 2020 | 3,359 |
| 2021 | 3,359 |
| 2022 | 3,478 |
| 2023 | 3,954 |
| 2024 | 4,222 |
| 2025 | 6,181 |
| 2026 (partial) | 1,891 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Estradiol Transdermal System
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Estradiol Transdermal System, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Ergocalciferol (6,093 reports)
- Progesterone (5,510 reports)
- Omeprazole (4,724 reports)
- Gabapentin (4,562 reports)
- Levothyroxine (4,431 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026