HRT Conti Patches

What are HRT Conti Patches and what are they used for?

HRT Conti Patches are a combined form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), used to treat symptoms of the menopause. Most HRT treatments involve daily tablets. However, HRT Conti Patches is a patch that is placed on the skin and changed twice per week.

Each HRT Conti Patches slowly releases two active ingredients which imitate the action of the two female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It is a convenient alternative for patients who cannot or prefer not to swallow tablets every day.

HRT Conti Patches is a continuous combined treatment that does not involve a regular period. For this reason, HRT Conti Patches patches are suited for women who have already reached the menopause but still suffer from distressing symptoms.

If you are switching from another HRT product, leave one week without treatment before you begin using HRT Conti Patches patches. HRT should only be necessary as a relatively short-term treatment as your body adjusts to the menopause. You should review your HRT with your GP at least once a year and have regular gynaecological checkups.

What is the menopause?

All women go through the menopause. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. As you approach this age, your ovaries will produce less and less oestrogen. This has the effect of stopping the menstrual cycle, but the change in hormone levels can lead to several symptoms that may substantially impact day-to-day life.

Physical symptoms of the menopause include:

• hot flushes (a spontaneous heat that spreads throughout the body, leading to blushing, sweating and an unusually strong heartbeat)
• night sweats
• osteoporosis
• dryness of the eyes or vagina
• psychological effects such as irritability, insomnia and depression

How does HRT work?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) eases the symptoms of menopause by supplementing the levels of hormones that the body can produce naturally. Some medicines are oestrogen-only. However, in women who still have a uterus, an uncontrolled increase in oestrogen levels will cause the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) to grow excessively.

This will substantially increase your risk of complications such as endometrial cancer.

Alternatives to HRT Conti Patches

There are currently multiple variations of HRT available on prescription including those containing just oestrogen or combined HRT, such as HRT Conti Patches, that contain both synthetic oestrogen and progesterone.

Non-medicinal alternatives for the symptoms of Menopause

For Night Sweats and Hot Flushes

• Using A fan
• Cool Showers
• Wearing light clothing

Vaginal Dryness

• Lubricants

Other Alternatives

• A healthy diet and regular exercise
• Stopping Smoking

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/estradiol-with-norethisterone.html#indicationsAndDoses
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/