Women’s Health · Menopause · HRT Patches
Troublesome Menopause? How HRT and Evorel Patches Can Help
Medically authored & reviewed by
Dr Abdishakur M Ali
General Practitioner · Telehealth Expert · Clinical Director
Last reviewed: March 2026
GPhC Registered Pharmacy
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Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. HRT is a prescription medicine. Our prescribers are GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers.
For many women, menopause is significantly more disruptive than expected. The relentless hot flushes, debilitating night sweats, persistent low mood, and fractured sleep can make daily life — and relationships — genuinely challenging. The good news is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most effective treatments available for menopausal symptoms, and modern formulations including Evorel Conti patches are safe, convenient, and increasingly accessible.
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Start HRT Consultation →✓ GPhC-registered pharmacy #9011198 ✓ Pharmacist independent prescribers ✓ Discreet next-day deliveryWhat Happens During Menopause?
Menopause marks the end of the reproductive years — defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. The average age in the UK is 51, though menopause can occur earlier (premature ovarian insufficiency affects 1 in 100 women under 40) or be surgically induced by oophorectomy.
The transition period — the perimenopause — begins when ovarian oestrogen and progesterone production starts declining. This hormonal shift triggers a range of physical and psychological symptoms that vary widely between women in their severity, type, and duration.
Far from being something to “just get through”, menopause is a time where targeted medical support — particularly HRT — can make a profound difference to quality of life, health, and wellbeing. For a comprehensive overview of HRT types and risks, see our HRT key facts guide.
Common Menopausal Symptoms and How HRT Helps
| Symptom | Cause | How HRT Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Hot flushes and night sweats | Oestrogen decline disrupts the hypothalamic temperature-regulating centre | Oestrogen replacement stabilises temperature regulation; reduces frequency and severity by 75–80% |
| Sleep disturbance | Night sweats and hormonal mood changes disrupt sleep | HRT reduces night sweats; oestrogen has direct sleep-promoting effects |
| Vaginal dryness and painful sex | Reduced oestrogen thins and dries vaginal tissue | Oestrogen (systemic or local) restores vaginal tissue thickness and lubrication |
| Mood changes, anxiety, low mood | Oestrogen influences serotonin and dopamine signalling | HRT improves mood stability in women whose low mood is directly linked to oestrogen withdrawal |
| Brain fog and poor concentration | Oestrogen influences cognitive function and blood flow to the brain | HRT may improve cognitive clarity and focus |
| Bone density loss | Oestrogen is essential for maintaining bone density | HRT reduces bone turnover and fracture risk |
Evorel Conti Patches: The Oestrogen-Only-Free Combined HRT
Evorel Conti is a combined HRT patch that releases oestradiol (50 micrograms) and norethisterone acetate (170 micrograms) continuously through the skin over 3–4 days. Each patch is replaced twice weekly. It is designed for postmenopausal women who have not had a period for at least 12 months.
Benefits of Evorel Conti patches:
- Transdermal delivery — bypasses first-pass liver metabolism; no increased blood clot (VTE) risk unlike oral HRT
- Steady, continuous hormone release — avoids the peaks and troughs of tablet dosing
- No need for separate progestogen tablets — oestrogen and progestogen are combined in one patch
- Proven to relieve hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood disturbance, and sleep problems
- After hysterectomy, Evorel Solo (oestrogen-only) patches provide equivalent symptom relief with a more favourable risk profile
Three Types of HRT: Which Is Right for You?
| HRT Type | For | Example Products |
|---|---|---|
| Oestrogen-only | Women who have had a hysterectomy | Elleste Solo MX patches, Oestrogel, Premarin |
| Cyclical combined | Perimenopausal women still having periods or within 1 year of last period | Elleste Duet, Evorel Sequi |
| Continuous combined | Postmenopausal women (>12 months since last period) | Evorel Conti, Kliofem, Kliovance |
Menopause Positivity: Reframing the Transition
While the symptoms of menopause are real and can be severe, it is worth remembering that menopause is also a natural life transition. After menopause, many women report feeling re-energised, freed from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and period-related inconveniences, and more focused on self-care. HRT does not prevent this natural transition — it supports the body through it, relieving the symptoms that interfere with wellbeing and health.
More HRT & Menopause Guides from Access Doctor
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What are the most troublesome menopause symptoms?
The most disruptive menopausal symptoms are hot flushes (affecting up to 80% of women), night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. For many women, these symptoms are severe enough to affect work performance, relationships, and quality of life significantly.
What is Evorel Conti and who is it for?
Evorel Conti is a continuous combined HRT patch containing oestradiol and norethisterone acetate. It is applied twice weekly and is designed for postmenopausal women who have not had a period for at least one year. It delivers oestrogen and progestogen continuously — helping to stabilise hormone levels and relieve menopausal symptoms.
Is transdermal HRT (patches) safer than tablets?
Transdermal HRT (patches, gels) avoids first-pass liver metabolism. This means it does not increase the risk of blood clots (VTE) or stroke, unlike oral HRT. For women with higher cardiovascular or blood clot risk, patches or gel are the preferred form of HRT.
How quickly do Evorel patches work for menopause symptoms?
Initial benefits from Evorel patches typically appear within a few weeks of starting treatment. Significant improvements in hot flushes, night sweats, and sleep quality are usually noticeable within 6–8 weeks. Full benefit may take 3 months as hormone levels stabilise.
Can I use HRT patches if I’ve had a hysterectomy?
Yes. After a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), women do not need progestogen and can use oestrogen-only HRT. This carries a more favourable risk profile than combined HRT. Elleste Solo MX patches are an oestrogen-only patch option available from Access Doctor.
What should I do if HRT is not helping my menopause symptoms?
If your HRT is not adequately controlling symptoms after 2–3 months, contact your prescriber. Dose adjustment, switching formulation, or changing delivery method (e.g., from tablets to patches) can make a significant difference. Do not simply stop HRT — discuss the issue with a prescriber first.
References
- NICE. Menopause: diagnosis and management (NG23). Updated 2024. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23
- NHS. HRT patches. nhs.uk
- Baber RJ et al. IMS recommendations on women’s midlife health and menopause HRT. Climacteric. 2016. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- GPhC. Standards for registered pharmacies. pharmacyregulation.org
Access Doctor is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (registration number 9011198). All prescriptions are issued by GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. Medicines are MHRA-compliant UK-licensed products.