All of these products are used to reduce symptoms of menopause, including feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest; the sudden intense episodes of heat and sweating known as "hot flashes"; dry, itchy external genitals; and vaginal irritation. They are also prescribed for other conditions that cause low levels of estrogen, and some doctors prescribe them for teenagers who fail to mature at the usual rate.
Along with diet, calcium supplements, and exercise, Alora, Estraderm, Climara, Vivelle, and Vivelle-Dot are prescribed to prevent osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become brittle and easily broken.
Bedol tablets contain the active ingredient estradiol, which is a naturally occuring form of the main female sex hormone, oestrogen.
Womens' ovaries gradually produce less and less oestrogen in the period up to the menopause, and oestrogen blood levels decline as a result. The declining levels of oestrogen can cause distressing symptoms, such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness or itching.
Oestrogen can be given as a supplement to replace the falling levels in the body and help reduce these distressing symptoms of the menopause. This is known as hormone replacement therapy. HRT is usually only required for short-term relief from menopausal symptoms and its use should be reviewed at least once a year with your doctor.
Bedol tablets are a continuous, oestrogen-only form of HRT. As they only contain oestrogen, they are most suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy. Women who have not had a hysterectomy should also be prescribed a progestogen drug to take with this drug for the last 12 to 14 days of each 28-day pack. This is because oestrogen stimulates the growth of the womb lining, which can lead to endometrial cancer if the growth is unopposed. A progestogen is given to cause a monthly withdrawal bleed, which opposes oestrogen's effect on the womb lining. This reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, though it does not eliminate this risk entirely. This is known as combined HRT. If a woman has had her womb surgically removed, endometrial cancer is not a risk, and a progestogen is not necessary as part of HRT.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- Hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of the menopause.
- weight increase.;
- upper respiratory tract infection;
- skin redness and irritation at the site of the patch;
- sinus problems;
- neck pain;
- nausea;
- insomnia;
- indigestion;
- hot flushes;
- high blood pressure;
- headache;
- flu-like symptoms;
- depression;
- constipation;
- breast tenderness;
- breakthrough bleeding;
- back pain;
- weight changes;
- vaginal thrush;
- swelling of the ankles due to to fluid retention;
- steepening of corneal curvature which may make contact lenses uncomfortable.;
- skin reactions such as rash and itch;
- rise in blood pressure;
- premenstrual-like symptoms;
- leg cramps;
- irregular brown patches on the skin usually of the face;
- headache/migraine;
- gut disturbances such as nausea abdominal pain bloating flatulence indigestion;
- gall bladder disease;
- fatigue;
- dizziness;
- disturbance in liver function;
- depression;
- changes in sex drive;
- breast pain tenderness or enlargement;
- breakthrough bleeding and spotting;
- blood clots in the blood vessels;
- anxiety;
If you are a postmenopausal woman with a uterus, progestin may be prescribed as well in order to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Your doctor will determine the dosage that is right for you. Typically, hormone replacement therapy should be started at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest duration needed to relieve your symptoms. You should be evaluated every 3 to 6 months.
ALORA AND ESTRADERM
The usual starting dose is one 0.05-mg patch applied to the skin 2 times a week.
CLIMARA
The usual starting dose is one 0.025-mg patch applied to the skin once a week.
ESCLIM
The usual starting dose is one 0.025-mg patch applied to the skin 2 times a week.
VIVELLE AND VIVELLE-DOT
The usual starting dose to relieve symptoms of menopause is one 0.0375-mg patch applied to the skin 2 times a week. The patch may be used continuously, or left off every fourth week.
