Brand Estraderm TTS

Estraderm is a hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of the menopause.
Second-line option for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of fractures and cannot take other medicines licensed for preventing osteoporosis (Estraderm TTS 50 only). Estraderm TTS patches contain the active ingredient estradiol (previously spelt oestradiol in the UK), which is a naturally occuring form of the main female sex hormone, oestrogen.
Womens’ ovaries gradually produce less and less oestrogen in the period up to the menopause, and oestrogen blood levels decline as a result. The declining levels of oestrogen can cause distressing symptoms, such as irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness or itching.
Oestrogen (in this case in the form of estradiol) can be given as a supplement to replace the falling levels in the body and help reduce these distressing symptoms of the menopause. This is known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is usually only required for short-term relief from menopausal symptoms and its use should be reviewed at least once a year with your doctor.
As they only contain oestrogen, Estraderm TTS patches are most suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy. Women who have not had a hysterectomy should also be prescribed a progestogen medicine to take with this medicine for the last 12 days of each monthly cycle. This is because oestrogen stimulates the growth of the womb lining (endometrium), which can lead to endometrial cancer if the growth is unopposed. A progestogen is given to oppose oestrogen's effect on the womb lining and reduce the risk of cancer, though it does not eliminate this risk entirely. This is known as combined HRT. If a woman has had her womb surgically removed (a hysterectomy), endometrial cancer is not a risk, and a progestogen is not necessary as part of HRT (unless the woman has a history of endometriosis).

Side effects

• Breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
• Breast pain, tenderness or enlargement.
• Headache/migraine.
• Redness or itching at patch application site.
• Gut disturbances, such as nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, indigestion.
• Leg cramps.
• Fatigue.
• Weight changes.
• Vaginal thrush.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Dizziness.
• Changes in sex drive.
• Rise in blood pressure.
• Gall bladder disease.
• Swelling of the ankles due to to fluid retention (peripheral oedema).
• Skin reactions such as rash and itch.
• Steepening of corneal curvature, which may make contact lenses uncomfortable.
• Premenstrual-like symptoms.
• Disturbance in liver function.
• Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma).
• Blood clots in the blood vessels.