What is Estradot?
How does it work?
What are the benefits of taking it?
With age, a woman’s ovaries gradually decrease estrogen production. This causes a hormonal imbalance, which in turn can lead to bothersome physical and psychological symptoms, including:
- Hot flushes
- Excessive sweating and night sweats
- Insomnia
- Humor changes
- Dryness in the vagina, mouth, and eyes
- Osteoporosis (decrease in bone mass and density).
By restoring the body’s hormonal balance, Estradot uses include reducing or preventing menopausal symptoms. Since the patches contain the only estrogen, they are best suited for women who have had a hysterectomy. Women who have not had a hysterectomy should also be prescribed a progestogen medication to be taken together with this medication, to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer
How do I use it and its dosage?
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have doubts.
Your doctor will try to prescribe the lowest dose to treat your symptom for the shortest possible time. Talk to your doctor if you think this dose is too strong or insufficient.
How long should you use Estradot
It is important that you use the lowest effective dose possible and only as long as necessary.
Periodically, you should discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits associated with using Estradot, and if you still need this treatment.
When to start treatment
If you are not currently using any hormone replacement therapy (patches or tablets), or if you have been using a combined continuous hormone replacement therapy product (in which estrogen and progestogen are administered every day without interruption), you can start using Estradot in any day.
If you are going to switch from sequential or cyclical hormone replacement therapy (in which progestogen is added for 12-14 days of the cycle), you should start using Estradot the day after completing your previous regimen.
When to apply Estradot
For the HRT patch dosage, Each Estradot patch should be changed twice a week (every 3 to 4 days). It is best to always change it on the same two days of the week (for example Monday and Thursday). The Estradot pack contains a calendar-control on the back that will help you remember your pattern. Mark the two-day-a-week guideline you want to follow. Always change the patch on both days of the week that you marked.
You must carry the Estradot patch continuously until it is time to change it for a new patch.
Any adhesive that remains on the skin can be easily removed by friction. If this happens, apply a new Estradot patch to another area of the skin.
Women who have had their uterus removed
The Estradot patch should be applied continuously without interruption. The addition of another type of hormone called progestin is not necessary unless there is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterus (endometriosis).
How to apply Estradot
Each patch is individually sealed in a protective envelope. Open the envelope through the slot and remove the patch (do not use scissors to open the envelope as they may damage the patch).
A protective sheet covers the sticky side of the patch. This sheet should be peeled off before applying the patch to the skin. Apply the patch immediately after opening the envelope and removing the protective foil.
Take the patch with the protective foil facing you. Peel off half of the protective layer and discard it. Try to avoid touching the sticky side of the patch with your fingers.
Take the other half of the protective sheet, apply the adhesive part of the patch to a dry area of the lower abdomen. Press the adhesive part against the skin so that it adheres properly, especially on the edges. Remove the other part of the protective sheet.
Hold the straight edge of the protective sheet and peel it off the patch.
Press the adhesive part against the skin so that it adheres correctly. Press the patch firmly into the skin with the palm of your hand for at least 10 seconds.
Make sure the patch is properly placed on the skin and run your fingers along the edges to check for good contact between the patch and the skin.
Side effects & precautions
Like all medicines, Estradot can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following diseases are seen more frequently in women treated with HRT compared to women not treated with HRT:
- breast cancer
- abnormal growth of the internal wall of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia) or cancer of the internal wall of the uterus (endometrial cancer) of the endometrium
- ovarian cancer
- blood clots in veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
- heart disease
- stroke
- probable memory loss if HRT is started from 65 years
The following symptoms need immediate medical attention:
- Sudden chest pain
- Pain in the chest that spreads to the arm or neck.
- Difficulty breathing
- Painful swelling and redness of the legs
- Yellowing of the eyes and face, darkening of the urine, itchy skin (jaundice)
- Unexpected bleeding or spotting after using Estradot for some time or if this continues after stopping treatment
- Change in the breasts, such as a change in the skin on the chest, changes in the nipples, lumps you can see or notice (breast cancer)
- Strong menstrual periods
- Unexplained migraine-type headaches
The following section details the known Estradot side effect and their respective frequency.
Very common side effects may affect more than 1 in 10 people:
- Headache, skin reactions at the patch site (including irritation, burning, rash, dryness, bleeding, bruises, inflammation, swelling, skin pigmentation, hives, and blisters), tension, and pain in the breasts, menstrual pain, menstrual disturbance.
Frequently, they can affect up to 1 in 10 people:
- Depression, nervousness, mood swings, insomnia, nausea, poor digestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, acne, rash, dry skin, itching, breast growth, heavy menstrual periods, discharge of a white or yellowish viscous fluid from the vagina, irregular bleeding, severe uterine contractions, inflammation of the vagina, abnormal growth of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia), pain (eg back pain, arms, legs, wrists, ankles), weakness, fluid retention (edema) in the extremities (arms and legs), weight changes.
Uncommon, may affect up to 1 in 100 people:
- Migraine, dizziness, increased blood pressure, vomiting, skin discoloration, impaired liver function.
Rare, they can affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, blood clots, gallbladder stones, hair loss, muscle weakness, benign growth of the uterus, cysts near the uterine tubes, polyps (small lumps) in the cervix of the uterus (neck uterine), changes in sexual desire, allergic reactions such as rashes.
Very rare, may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:
- Hives, signs of a severe allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or skin; dizziness and hives), decreased tolerance to carbohydrates, involuntary movements that can affect the eyes, head, and neck, discomfort with wearing contact lenses, severe skin reactions, excessive hair growth.
Side effects of unknown frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data):
- Breast cancer, abnormal liver function test, allergic skin inflammation, lumps in the chest (not carcinogenic).
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