Alexis Dunne always plans how to best treat her patients’ perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

The Chicago-area physician wants to ensure that the hormone replacement therapy she prescribes helps night sweats and brain fog and sets patients up for long term bone health.

Lately, however, she must do more: Make a backup plan if estrogen patches are out of stock.

Some days, it feels like a choose your own adventure solution. With estrogen patches still in short supply, Dunne is troubleshooting.

If patches aren’t available, and the patient can take oral estrogen, Dunne prescribes that.