HRT Sequi Patches

What is HRT Sequi Patches & what is it used for?

HRT Sequi Patches is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), used to treat symptoms of menopause. HRT Sequi Patches is known as a sequential hormone replacement therapy because it contains two types of patches.

When these patches are changed twice a week, a controlled measure of the hormones is absorbed into the blood, mimicking the menstrual cycle, to reduce unpleasant menopausal symptoms.

HRT Sequi Patches features

• HRT Sequi Patches contains two different kinds of patches: HRT Sequi Patches 50 patches are used in the first two weeks, and HRT Sequi Patches are used in the second two weeks of treatment.
• HRT Sequi Patches contain both — imitators of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
• The patches are applied directly to the skin and replaced twice weekly.
• One pack contains enough patches for four weeks of HRT treatment.
• Hormone replacement therapy can effectively relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the menopause, and may also be used to treat osteoperosis in post-menopausal patients.

Menopause symptoms

As women age, their ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen. This hormonal imbalance can lead to some uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms, including:

• Insomnia
• Hot flushes
• Mood swings
• Osteoporosis
• Excessive sweating
• Dry vagina, mouth or eyes

HRT Sequi Patches work by restoring the hormonal balance in the body, reducing or preventing menopausal symptoms from occurring.

How does HRT Sequi Patches work?

Hormone Replacement Therapy 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. This is why HRT Sequi Patches releases norethisterone, a synthetic version of progesterone, during the second half of a treatment cycle.

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 each year and have regular gynaecological checkups.

Benefits of HRT patches

What makes HRT patches different to tablets and gels? The benefits of using the patch are not vastly different to taking HRT in tablet form, so to some extent, it depends on your preference. The patch contains hormones that are absorbed through the skin, allowing you to receive hormone replacement without taking tablets by mouth – and likewise for the gel. Some doctors believe it’s preferable for hormones to be absorbed through the skin, thereby avoiding the liver.

HRT patches and weight gain

While some say that HRT is a cause of weight gain in women, research suggests that this is not the case. After menopause, women are likely to gain more weight on their belly than on their hips and thighs – HRT can potentially help women to lose this unwanted fat.

Non-medicinal alternatives for the symptoms of Menopause are:

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

You can read more about managing your symptoms on the NICE Menopause page.