Menopause Symptom Relief

What is Menopause Symptom Relief?

Menopause Symptom Relief is an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy containing either 1mg or 2mg of the active ingredient, a form of the female hormone oestrogen.

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets can be taken by postmenopausal women to increase their oestrogen levels. The hormonal treatment helps to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and irritation, and night sweats.

Each pack of Menopause Symptom Relief includes 3 blisters containing 28 tablets and it is taken every day without a break.

Menopausal symptoms Menopause Symptom Relief helps with

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets are prescribed to postmenopausal women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause that interfere with the quality of their daily life.

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets can help relieve the following symptoms of menopause:

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vaginal dryness and irritation
• Reduced sex drive
• Headaches
• Low mood

Menopause Symptom Relief 1 mg vs. Menopause Symptom Relief 2 mg

You will either be prescribed Menopause Symptom Relief 1 mg or Menopause Symptom Relief 2 mg tablets by your doctor. These should be taken once a day at the same time each day with water.

Menopause Symptom Relief and alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking Menopause Symptom Relief may increase the risk to some women of experiencing unwanted side effects such as headaches or feeling sick. If you choose to drink alcohol while using any form of HRT you should do so in moderation.

If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for support.

Menopause Symptom Relief dosage

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets will be prescribed as either 1 mg or 2 mg tablets. These are to be taken orally only and you should take one tablet daily at around the same time. If you think the dose you have been prescribed is too high or too low you should discuss this with your doctor immediately.

• Swallow one tablet as prescribed every day for 28 days. When you finish a packet start a new 28 days packet the next day, do not have a break.
• Start each new packet on the top row, taking the tablet that correlates with the correct day of the week and follow the directions of the arrows.
• If you still have a womb or have a history of endometriosis you may also be prescribed a progesterone HRT alongside Menopause Symptom Relief to take for the first 12-14 days of each month.

Please make sure that you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before starting treatment with Menopause Symptom Relief.

Starting Menopause Symptom Relief

If you are switching from another HRT treatment:

Finish your current pack of HRT and take your first Menopause Symptom Relief tablet the day after you take your last HRT tablet.

If you are taking HRT for the first time and still have regular periods:

Take your first Menopause Symptom Relief tablet on day 1 of your period.

If you are taking HRT for the first time and have infrequent or no periods:

Take your first Menopause Symptom Relief tablet at any time if you are sure you are not pregnant.

Side Effects

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets, like other hormone replacement therapy, can cause postmenopausal women to experience some unwanted side effects. Most of these side effects will improve within the first few months of use. If they do not improve within three months you should tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience any severe side effects or allergic reactions while taking Menopause Symptom Relief tablets you should seek medical advice from your doctor immediately or the nearest emergency department.

The most common side effects are:

• Breakthrough vaginal bleeding or spotting and painful periods
• Breast tenderness, breast pain, breast swelling, or enlargement or discharge
• Changes in vaginal discharge and thrush
• Uterine fibroids in the womb
• Indigestion, bloating or wind
• Feeling or being sick
• Gallbladder disease
• Various skin disorders such as eczema, itching, rashes or discolouration
• Acne or unusual hair loss or hair growth
• Headache, migraine or dizziness
• Mood changes - anxiety or depression
• Fatigue

Please make sure that you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before starting treatment with Menopause Symptom Relief.

Warnings

Please make sure that you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly, paying particular attention to the warning and precautions, before starting treatment with Menopause Symptom Relief.

Using any form of HRT treatment, including Menopause Symptom Relief tablets, puts you at a slightly increased risk of developing certain health conditions such as blood clots and deep vein thrombosis, breast cancer, or endometrial cancer. If you have any questions or concerns you should discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist.

Purchasing Menopause Symptom Relief tablets online as a repeat prescription from The Independent Pharmacy relies upon you continuing to attend an annual check-up with your GP.

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets are not recommended for everyone, especially if you have certain risk factors.

• You should not use this product if you have ever had or are at risk of oestrogen-sensitive cancer such as breast cancer or endometrial cancer, a blood clot, a blood clotting disorder or liver disease.
• Discuss with your GP before taking Menopause Symptom Relief tablets if you have or ever have had uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Or if you have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder disease, SLE, epilepsy, asthma, kidney problems, or suffer from migraines as hormone replacement therapy can make these conditions worse.
• Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Menopause Symptom Relief about risk factors if you are currently taking or have recently stopped taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicine including herbal remedies such as St John’s-Wort or drinking grapefruit juice.

Menopause Symptom Relief tablets, breast cancer and endometrial cancer

Menopause Symptom Relief, like other oestrogen-only HRT, can put you at an increased risk of excessive thickening of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia) and increased risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Menopause Symptom Relief is therefore only suitable for women who do not have a uterus or are prescribed a progesterone HRT alongside it to reduce the endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer risks.

Taking oestrogen-only HRT Menopause Symptom Relief tablets may also put you at an increased risk of breast cancer. You must, therefore, continue to regularly check your breasts for any variations including lumps and dimples that might be early indicators of developing breast cancer.

If you notice any irregularities you should get these checked by a doctor as soon as possible to prevent the development of invasive breast cancer.

Menopause Symptom Relief and blood clots

While using oral HRT you are up to three times more likely to develop blood clots in your veins (deep vein thrombosis). These can be dangerous if they travel to the lung causing a condition called pulmonary embolism.

Blood clots can also lead to heart attacks and strokes, which can be life-threatening. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of a blood clot you must see a doctor straight away.

Menopause Symptom Relief and coronary heart disease

Hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women who have coronary heart disease. It can also cause a slightly increased risk of developing heart disease.

Is Menopause Symptom Relief safe during pregnancy?

Menopause Symptom Relief is not a contraceptive and should only be taken by women experiencing menopause. It should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as the active ingredient can be passed to the baby.

If you think you have become pregnant while using Menopause Symptom Relief you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.