The medicine is a combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drug. It contains two types of female hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. It is used in postmenopausal women, whose last natural menstrual period was at least 12 months ago.
The medicine is used to treat symptoms that occur after menopause.
After menopause, the amount of oestrogen in a woman’s body decreases. This can cause symptoms such as a feeling of heat in the face, neck and breasts (called “hot flashes”). This medicine relieves these symptoms. You will only be prescribed this medicine if your symptoms are seriously interfering with your daily life.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects were more common in women using HRT than in women not using HRT:
Breast cancer
Excessive growth or cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer)
Ovarian cancer
Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
Heart disease
Ironing
Possible memory loss if HRT was started after the age of 65
See the Contraindications category for more information about these side effects.
The following list contains side effects associated with this medicine.
Unexpected menstrual-like bleeding may occur during the first few months of treatment with the medicine. This is usually temporary and usually goes away as treatment continues. If it does not, contact your doctor.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients):
Headache
nausea
Breast pain, vaginal bleeding, hot flashes
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients):
Weight gain
Nervousness, loss of appetite leading to weight loss, aggression, depression, insomnia, decreased libido, drowsiness, inability to achieve orgasm
Dizziness, migraine, hyperactivity, tingling
High blood pressure, venous thromboembolism (leg pain), phlebitis, nosebleeds
Bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting
Gall bladder pain
Increased sweating, acne, itching, dry skin with flaky red patches (psoriasis)
Muscle pain, leg cramps
Endometrioid diseases, painful periods, itching in the genital area, vaginal thrush
Fatigue, fluid accumulation in the tissues (edema)/general swelling/swelling of the face
The following side effects have been reported in connection with other HRT drugs:
Gall bladder disease
Various types of skin diseases
Changes in skin colour, especially on the face and neck, also known as “pregnancy spots” (chloasma)
Painful reddish bumps on the skin (erythema nodosum)
Rash with sharply defined red areas or ulcers (erythema multiforme)
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This applies to any possible side effects not listed.
Caution: Always consult your doctor before using medicines.
