Femoston

Femoston is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause. It contains two hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

Menopause is a condition that occurs as a woman ages. It marks the end of your menstrual cycle, usually presenting between the ages of 45 and 55. It often results in symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, insomnia and night sweats. The severity of symptoms varies between women; some may go through menopause without any concern, for others the process is drawn-out and debilitating.

Your doctor may also prescribe Femoston for the treatment of age-related osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes weakening of the bones. HealthExpress does not currently prescribe HRT solely for this condition.

Important: Femoston is only prescribed to women with uteri. You should not use this treatment if you have had a hysterectomy.

If you have had a period within the last six months, you should ask your doctor about different treatments.

Menopause occurs when your ovaries produce less of the sex hormone oestrogen. At this stage in your life, you will also stop ovulating and will no longer have periods. Though it is a natural process, a loss of this hormone causes a variety of symptoms. Essentially, hormone replacement therapy replenishes this missing oestrogen.

Certain HRT formulas, such as Femoston, also contain progesterone. Progesterone is another female hormone that maintains reproductive health. The combination of artificial progesterone with oestrogen has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of uterine conditions, including endometrial cancer. If you have had a hysterectomy, you do not need this additional progesterone. Instead, you should consider oestrogen-only HRT, for example, Zumenon and Elleste Solo.

Femoston contains the active ingredients oestradiol, which is synthetic oestrogen, and dydrogesterone, which is synthetic progesterone.

A second condition that results from lowered levels of oestrogen is osteoporosis. Characterized by a reduced bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis makes it easier for you to suffer fractures. Without sufficient oestrogen, the minerals in your bones are reabsorbed into the blood. By taking supplemental hormones, loss of bone density is not as pronounced.

Femoston is an easy-to-take medication. If you have previously taken the combined contraceptive pill, you will find it is similar.

You should:

• take one pill every day, without a break between packs
• for the first 14 days of your cycle, you should take a tablet containing only oestradiol
• for days 15 to 28, you should take a tablet containing oestradiol and dydrogesterone
• it is easy to remember which tablet to take, as the days of the week are printed on the packs, along with an arrow directing which tablet to take next
• once you finish a pack, move on to the next - do not take a break

If you are transitioning to Femoston from another HRT product, you should ask your doctor for advice about how to switch.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take a double-dose. If you accidentally take too much Femoston, contact your doctor.

For further information about how to use Femoston, you can consult the patient information leaflet (PIL); a PIL is included with every order.

As Femoston is a hormonal treatment, it has various side effects. It is important to remember that everyone reacts differently. If you experience any side effects, especially if distressing, you should inform your doctor.

Common reactions:

• breast abnormalities
• cervical abnormalities
• depression
• dizziness
• flatulence
• gastrointestinal discomfort
• headaches
• malaise
• menstrual cycle irregularities
• nausea
• nervousness
• pain
• pelvic pain
• peripheral oedema
• postmenopausal haemorrhage
• skin reactions
• vomiting
• vulvovaginal candidiasis (genital thrush)
• weakness (asthenia)
• weight changes

For a complete list of side effects, including uncommon and rare reactions, please consult either the patient information leaflet or your doctor. You can find the PIL as a downloadable PDF on this page. A copy is also included with all orders.

Cancers

There is a slight increase in the incidence of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer for women taking HRT. The risk increases with the duration of a course. If taken for over five years, the risk lasts for up to 10 years. If you are concerned about this, you should contact your doctor for more information.

Blood clots

HRT also increases the risk of blood clots. Certain health factors may put you at an even higher risk, for example; obesity, blood clotting disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a family history of blood clots. If any of these apply to you, HRT is not a recommended treatment.

If you are unsure about the suitability of a medication, always speak to a healthcare professional.

Ask your doctor for an alternative to Femoston if you have a history of:

• allergies to any of the ingredients
• breast cancer
• endometrial cancer
• tumours sensitive to oestrogen
• untreated thickening of the uterus
• blood clots/blood clotting disorder

What precautions should I take?

Certain conditions and the use of some medications may make Femoston ineffective or unsafe for you. During your initial consultation with your doctor, be sure to give an accurate medical history.

If any of the following apply to, you should be extra cautious when taking Femoston and see your GP for more regular check-ups:

• uterine conditions
• increased risk of developing blood clots (obese, immobile for extended periods, etc.)
• liver conditions
• immune disorder
• lifestyle diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
• migraines
• epilepsy

You should check your breasts for any abnormalities on a regular basis. If you discover anything out of the ordinary, such as a lump or changes in colour or sensation, seek immediate medical attention.

You should also know the symptoms of blood clots:

• for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - swelling, pain and redness in the limbs
• for pulmonary embolism - shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing
• for stroke - slurred speech drooping of the face and difficulty raising the arms

If you have received a diagnosis of menopause and have been prescribed Fomoston, you can order online from HealthExpress. You will need to complete an online HRT consultation form. Here, you should list relevant medical details so that our doctors can make an informed decision on the efficacy and safety of prescribing.

If your order is approved, our pharmacy will dispense and dispatch it with next-day delivery. If your order is denied, the doctor will explain why and you will receive a full refund.

Femoston is not appropriate for all women. If you have had a hysterectomy, other treatments will be presented to you.