Evorel

Evorel is an HRT or hormone replacement therapy used in treating women who are starting to experience the signs and symptoms associated with menopause.

How Evorel works

When women go through menopause, the natural oestrogen production in the body will start to drop. Evorel contains the female hormone oestrogen (estradiol hemihydrate) which helps in replenishing the natural hormone levels in the body, thereby offsetting the effects and symptoms of menopause.

Benefits of Evorel

Women going through menopause often experience a variety of symptoms. This includes irregular menstrual cycle, weight gain, mood changes, hot flashes of the neck, face and chest, and thinning of hair.

These symptoms can be a bit disruptive to daily life and the use of HRT medication like Evorel will help women in restoring their natural hormonal balance to minimize the symptoms.

How to use Evorel

Evorel requires a doctor’s prescription. It is important to follow your doctor’s advice on how to properly take the medication. It wouldn’t hurt to read the information on the leaflet provided with the medication packet as well. Evorel comes in various doses and your doctor will usually prescribe the lowest dose to help you with your symptoms. He may choose to alter the dosage depending on how you respond to the initial dose.

The medication comes in an adhesive patch. It must be worn continuously until such time as it needs to be replaced with a new patch. An Evorel patch should be replaced two times a week, which means replacing it every three to four days. It would help to replace it on the same 2 days every week, so it makes it easier to remember.

If at present, you’re not using any type of HRT or if you have been on a continuous combined HRT medication, you should be able to start using Evorel any day. If you’re currently on a sequential or cyclic HRT treatment, however, then it is best to start Evorel on the day after you’ve completed the previous cycle.

Before applying the patch, see to it that your skin is dry and clean. Just remove the patch’s protective backing which should reveal its sticky side. While making sure that you keep your fingers off of the sticky side, carefully apply the patch along the lower abdomen, bottom or thigh. Press it gently for about 10 seconds to make sure it has properly adhered to the skin. It is not advised to place it on the waist area as there is a good chance that it will be rubbed by the clothes you’re wearing. It is also not advised to place the patch on your breasts or in areas near them. Also, try to change the spot you will place the patch every time you need to replace it to prevent any skin irritation.

Evorel patches are designed to withstand such activities as showering, bathing and exercising so you shouldn’t have to constantly worry about it. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to check if it is still adhered in place every now and then.

It is possible that you may experience spotted or light bleeding in the first few weeks of putting on the patch. However, if you find that the bleeding gets persistent or is heavy, it is best to let your doctor know right away.

Evorel dosage

The active ingredient contained in Evorel is oestrogen, the female hormone. These patches are available in various strengths of 25, 50, 75 or 100 micrograms. It is common for doctors to prescribe you the lowest one possible.

Every patch contains estradiol hemihydrate, depending on the indicated strength.

If you ended up using too much Evorel, then take the patch off. While this is unlikely, if and when you do, among the symptoms you could experience include vaginal bleeding and/or breast tenderness. Get in touch with your doctor if the symptoms persist.

In the event that you forgot to change the patch, then make sure to do so as soon as you remember. It doesn’t matter what day this happens, make sure to still go back to changing the newly applied patch on the very same day as you should, based on your original schedule. Also, it is important never to double dose just to make up a forgotten one.

Precautions and side effects

Before starting Evorel, it is crucial to first speak with your doctor. If the following applies to you, then Evorel may not be an ideal option:

  • You have breast cancer or is suspected of having the condition
  • You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • You have oestrogen-sensitive cancer
  • You have or had blood clot in the veins
  • You have excessive thickening in the womb lining
  • You’ve had a disease due to arterial blood clotting
  • You’ve had or have a blood clot in the veins
  • You’ve had liver disease
  • You have a blood clotting condition
  • You’re allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the medication
  • You have a rare blood disorder called porphyria

Your Evorel prescription can also be affected by several other factors. it is important to let your doctor know if any of the following applies to you:

  • You’ve had womb lining growth outside of the womb
  • You’ve had womb fibroids
  • Your blood pressure is high
  • You have a high risk of cancer that is oestrogen-sensitive
  • You have a high risk of blood clot development
  • You have a liver issue
  • You’re diabetic
  • You have gallstones
  • You have an immune system disease which affects other organs
  • You suffer from severe headaches and migraines
  • You have asthma
  • You’re epileptic
  • You have issues with fluid retention as a result of kidney or cardiac problems
  • Your blood has very high level of fat content
  • You have a hearing problem or a condition that affects your eardrum

Just like any medication that contains active ingredients, Evorel may be affected or can affect other medicines. Among these medications include:

  • Medications for tuberculosis
  • Medications for epilepsy
  • Herbal remedies that have St John’s Wort
  • Medications for HIV infection
  • Other medicines that are known to be anti-infective

If you happen to take any of the medications mentioned above, it is important to let your doctor know ahead of time. This ensures that you will be given proper advice and guidance on whether or not Evorel is the best option for you while taking your current health condition into consideration.

The use of HRT medications can increase cause the womb lining to thicken excessively. The same is true for the lining of womb cancer as well as breast cancer. This is why it is important to pay close attention to what is going on in your body, make sure that you perform regular breast inspections and to always notify your doctor right away the moment you notice these changes.

Blood clots tend to be more prevalent among HRT users than those that don’t. This is especially true in the first year of taking the medication. It is crucial that you will constantly keep an eye for any possible signs of blood clotting and to always be ready to get in touch with your doctor should you start noticing them.

Among the most common side effects associated with Evorel are:

  • Skin irritation in the spot where the patch is applied
  • Feeling itchy or rashes
  • Breast pain
  • Mood changes or feeling depressed
  • Headaches, feeling dizzy
  • Diarrhea, having stomach pains or feeling sick
  • Breakthrough bleeding, periods or spotting
  • Weight gain

Should you experience any of these side effects and you notice that they seem to persist or worsen, call your doctor right away. Make sure to let your doctor know immediately if you experience any serious side effects.