Femoston

Other Related Names or Treatments

Elleste Solo, Premarin

About Femoston

Femoston is a combined HRT (hormone replacement therapy), used to treat postmenopausal women. It contains two active ingredients, estradiol (an oestrogen) and dydrogesterone (a progesterone).

If only oestrogen levels are increased during HRT treatment, the endometrium would grow excessively, causing an increased risk of endometrial cancer. This is why Femoston (which contains a progestogen) is prescribed if you have not had a hysterectomy.

Femoston helps to treat menopausal symptoms such as:

• Osteoporosis
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Depression
• Sleep problems
• Vaginal dryness

NowPatient offers Femoston as a treatment for HRT only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Femoston

• For the treatment of HRT
• Femoston has some common side effects which include nausea and headaches
• Femoston will not prevent pregnancy in otherwise fertile women
• Do not use a hormonal contraceptive when treated with a HRT
• It can be dangerous if you take Femoston with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician

Who is Femoston not suitable for?

Femoston may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Femoston if you:

• Are allergic to dydrogesterone or estradiol hemihydrate, or inactive ingredients such as lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, or macrogol
• Have ever had breast cancer
• Have cancer sensitive to oestrogen
• Have untreated endometrial hyperplasia (an excessively thick womb lining)
• Suffer from a blood clots
• Suffer from porphyria
• Have had a heart attack, angina, stroke, or high blood pressure
• Have unusual vaginal bleeding
• Have liver disease or any other liver problems
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have fibroids
• Have uterine problems such as endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia
• Have diabetes
• Have SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Suffer from migraines
• Have gallbladder disease
• Have asthma
• Have epilepsy
• Have fluid retention
• Have high cholesterol levels in the blood
• Are obese
• Have a hereditary ear disorder

How and where to get Femoston?

You can buy Femoston safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with one of our prescribers for the treatment of HRT, you can discuss if Femoston is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Femoston for HRT

Femoston is available in tablet form as:

• Femoston 1/10, which contains 14 white tablets containing 1 mg of estradiol, and 14 grey tablet containing 1 mg of estradiol and 10mg of dydrogesterone
• Femoston 2/10, which contains 14 red tablets containing 2 mg of estradiol, and 14 yellow tablets containing 2 mg of estradiol and 20 mg of dydrogesterone

Information about how to take Femoston for HRT

On days 1 to 14, take 1 tablet daily containing 1 or 2 mg estradiol. From days 15 to 28, take 1 tablet daily containing 1 or 2 mg estradiol and 10 mg dydrogesterone.

Femoston tablets should be taken at the same time each day. Swallow the tablets whole with water, with or without food. Start a new pack the day after you have finished your current pack. If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Read the patient information leaflet provided or speak to a healthcare professional for further information.

What happens if you take too much Femoston?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Femoston and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Femoston?

Side effects of Femoston are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Breast pain
• Back pain
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Change in sex drive
• Stomach cramps
• Fluid retention, bloating

Serious side effects include:

• Blood clots (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis)
• Stroke
• Heart disease – chest pain passing into the neck or arm
• Liver disease – jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), abdominal pain

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about taking Femoston at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Femoston. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other prescription drugs, such as:

• Phenytoin, phenobarbital or carbamazepine
• Rifampicin
• Ritonavir or nelfinavir
• Warfarin
• St John’s Wort
• Grapefruit juice

Can Femoston taken for HRT be taken long term?

HRT should only be used as a short-term treatment for the menopause. Speak to your GP to review your treatment at least once each year and have regular checkups.

Is there a herbal Femoston?

No. Herbal Femoston does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Femoston?

Women can take Femoston for HRT, but should speak to a doctor if considering taking it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Femoston?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Femoston.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with menopause?

You modify your lifestyle in a number of ways, and this may have a positive impact on your symptoms:

• Using a fan
• Cool showers
• Light clothing
• Lubricants
• Healthy diet
• Regular exercise
• Quit smoking

Alternatives to Femoston

Alternative oestrogen-only HRT include Femoston Conti, Premarin, Progynova and Zumenon.

Sources

•  HRT – NHS 
•  MHRA Products – Home