Femseven

What are FemSeven Patches and what are they used for?

FemSeven works by delivering a controlled dose of oestrogen to the body.

Strength options include 50, 75, & 100 mg. Patches are usually worn continuously on the skin below the waist. They need to be changed every week. In FemSeven (estradiol hemihydrate), the active ingredient supplements the body's natural oestrogen, helping to reduce the negative symptoms associated with menopause.

FemSeven only contains oestrogen, unlike some other HRT treatments. Therefore, it is most suitable for women who have undergone a hysterectomy. Combination treatments, such as Femseven Conti Patches, may be more appropriate for women with an intact uterus.

FemSeven must also be taken with a progestogen medication if the patient has not undergone a hysterectomy.

In time, oestrogen causes the uterine lining to grow, potentially leading to endometrial cancer. This risk can be reduced - but not eliminated - by taking a progesterone medicine. FemSeven can be taken safely if you have had a hysterectomy (womb removal).

Dealing with the menopause: HRT Therapy

For women experiencing menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a tried and trusted treatment.

A woman's body produces less oestrogen as she approaches menopause, resulting in lower levels of oestrogen in her blood.

It can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings that some people find distressing. Additionally, irregular periods and vaginal itchiness and dryness are common symptoms.

Patients can reduce the likelihood of experiencing these symptoms by supplementing their bodies with oestrogen (in FemSeven, a form of oestrogen called estradiol hemihydrate).

HRT is effective, but shouldn't be considered a long-term treatment. You should be reviewed by a qualified medical professional yearly if you are using hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms.

HRT treatments are not without risks. A woman using HRT is at an increased risk for breast cancer. The risk of stroke and deep-vein thrombosis (blood clots in the veins) is slightly higher in women taking hormonal contraception.

In addition, there is the possibility of menstrual bleeding or spotting, breast pain, depression and mood changes, as well as an increase in blood pressure and skin problems.

The decision to take HRT or not should be weighed against its risks and benefits.

How estradiol hemihydrate treats menopausal symptoms

The human body produces estradiol (also known as E2 or 17*-estradiol) naturally.

The hormone estradiol regulates the menstrual cycle and is involved in a large number of diseases related to hormones. Premenopausal women secrete between 70 and 500 micrograms of estradiol daily from their ovarian follicles.

Following menopause, the body's oestrogen converts from androstenedione to estrone in peripheral tissues.

Estradiol is a much stronger form of oestrogen than estrone. It is this shift from a strong to a weak hormone (estradiol to estrone) that is responsible for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, irregular menses, chills, and trouble sleeping.

FemSeven supplements the body's natural production of oestrogen with estradiol hemihydrate, which reduces and in some cases eliminates the adverse side effects.

Is FemSeven right for me?

FemSeven can only be obtained with a prescription. If you are not sure whether FemSeven is right for you, you can complete our online assessment in a few minutes. For us to be able to prescribe FemSeven patches to you online, your GP must be currently prescribing them for you.

FemSeven patches are an alternative to Evorel and Estradot as they contain only oestrogen.

FemSeven can be ordered online by following these steps:

• • Complete an online consultation with a qualified professional.
  • In addition, we will ask you questions about your general health and medications you may be taking to make sure FemSeven is safe for you.
  • The doctor will review your order and determine whether FemSeven is suitable for you.
  • You will receive FemSeven in the post once your prescription has been approved as being suitable by our prescribers.

Is it safe to buy FemSeven online?

You should only purchase prescription medicines from a UK-registered online pharmacy.

By purchasing your medication from Access Doctor, you can feel confident that you are receiving a genuine product.

It is recommended that you complete a consultation for a HRT treatment only if your GP has prescribed it for you already.

FemSeven directions

FemSeven is a patch that contains only oestrogen and should be applied to the skin once a week. Each patch is replaced after seven days.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully when using FemSeven.

Make sure that the area where you will place the cream will not be rubbed off by clothing, such as your buttocks, hips, or abdomen (avoid the waist).

Pull one edge of the FemSeven patch to remove it. The patch should be folded in half (adhesive against adhesive) and thrown away. You should remove the patch completely and apply a brand-new one if it starts coming off before the 7-day period is up.

Replace it as usual. If you forget to change your patch at the correct time, change it as soon as possible. Then resume your original schedule.

You are more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding if you forget to change your patch on time and still have an intact womb.

Femseven warnings

FemSeven should not be used

• • If you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you have a suspicion of breast cancer.
  • If you have or suspect that you have cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium).
  • In the event of any vaginal bleeding for which the cause is not known.
  • If you have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated.
  • If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
  • If you have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency).
  • If you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries (such as a heart attack, stroke or angina).
  • If you have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal.
  • If you have an inherited disease (porphyria) characterised by an accumulation of toxic compounds (porphyrins) in the body.
  • If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to estradiol hemihydrate or any of the other ingredients of FemSeven.

You should consult your doctor before taking FemSeven if you do not know whether any of the above apply to you.

FemSeven should be stopped immediately if any of the above conditions occur for the first time while using it. Consult your doctor at once.

During treatment with FemSeven, you may experience the return of any of the following conditions. Inform your doctor if you have experienced any of these issues in the past. Therefore, you should see your doctor more frequently:

• • • Benign tumours of the womb (fibroids inside your womb);
    • A growth of womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis);
    • A history of abnormal growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia);
    • An increased risk of developing blood clots;
    • An increased risk of getting a cancer which needs oestrogens for its development (such as having a mother, sister or grandmother who has had breast cancer);
    • High blood pressure;
    • A liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour;
    • Diabetes;
    • Gallstones;
    • Migraine or severe headaches;
    • A disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (systemic lupus erythematosus);
    • Epilepsy;
    • Asthma;
    • A disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis);
    • A very high level of fat in your blood (triglycerides);
    • An increase in the amount of water in your body (fluid retention) due to cardiac or kidney problems.

If you need to have surgery

You should tell your surgeon if you are having surgery if you use FemSeven. FemSeven should be discontinued about four to six weeks before the surgery to prevent blood clots. You should ask your doctor when you can resume taking FemSeven.

When to stop using FemSeven

You should stop using FemSeven and see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• • If you experience any of the following conditions:
  • Yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice). This can indicate liver problems;
  • An increase in blood pressure (symptoms may include headaches, tiredness, dizziness);
  • New migraine-like headaches;
  • If you become pregnant;
  • If you notice signs of a blood clot, such as:
    • Swelling and redness of the legs;
    • Chest pain;
    • Breathing difficulties.

Documentation