Femoston-conti

Femoston-conti is a branded medication that is used as a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The tablets contain two types of female hormones. These are a progestogen called dydrogesterone and an oestrogen called estradiol. Femoston-conti is used for relieving symptoms that happen after menopause.

These include:

• hot flushes
• night sweats
• difficulty sleeping

Femoston-conti can also be used in the prevention of fragile bones (osteoporosis) which some women may get after the menopause.

Femoston-conti tablets work by replacing the hormone oestrogen that your body stops producing as you go through the menopause.

As well as Femoston-conti, there are several different types of HRT that you can take.

1. Tablets: these are normally taken once a day. Both combined HRT and oestrogen-only are available as tablets.
2. Skin patches: you can stick them to your skin, and they need to be replaced every few days. Both combined HRT and oestrogen-only skin patches are available.
3. Gels or creams: oestrogen-only gel can be rubbed onto the skin once each day. Like skin patches, gels can be an easier way of taking HRT and will not increase the risk of blood clots.

Examples of combined HRT treatments include:

• Elleste Duet Conti
• Estradot and Utrogestan
• Evorel Conti
• Kliofem
• Kliovance
• Tibolone

Examples of oestrogen-only HRT treatments include:

• Estriol
• Oestrogel
• Ovestin
• Vagifem
• Vagirux

If you cannot take HRT or decide you do not want to, there are alternative ways of controlling menopausal symptoms.

Lifestyle measures may help reduce some menopausal symptoms, such as:

• performing regular exercise (can improve sleep and reduce hot flushes)
• following a balanced diet (eating healthily will keep your weight in check and strengthen bones)
• staying cool at night (wearing loose clothes can stop hot flushes and night sweats)
• cutting down on caffeine (known to trigger hot flushes)
• reducing stress levels (can improve mood swings)
• stopping smoking (help reduce hot flushes)

There are complementary therapies that you may want to use to treat menopausal symptoms. They are normally sold in health shops, such as herbal remedies like St John’s wort, which may reduce hot flushes. But, many of these therapies are not supported by scientific evidence. It is best to speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using complementary therapy.

Like with any medicine, Femoston-conti tablets can cause side effects. However, not everyone will get them.

Common side effects of Femoston-conti tablets include:

• back pain
• headaches
• painful or tender breasts
• abdominal pain
• migraine
• vaginal thrush
• nausea
• dizziness

Uncommon side effects of Femoston-conti include:

• indigestion
• cystitis-like symptoms
• change in sex drive

Uncommon side effects of Femoston-conti include:

• meningioma (a brain tumour)
• heart attack
• swelling of the skin around the throat and face
• leg cramps

Some medicines may interfere with how Femoston-conti tablets work. This could lead to irregular bleeding.

You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines for:

• epilepsy (like phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• HIV infection (AIDS) (like efavirenz, nelfinavir, ritonavir)
• tuberculosis (like rifabutin, rifampicin)
• herbal remedies that contain St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)

Certain factors can affect how well Femoston-conti tablets work. This is because the use of HRT comes with risks that need to be considered before deciding whether to take it or continue taking it.

You should not take Femoston-conti if you have:

• breast cancer or have had it in the past
• cancer that is sensitive to oestrogen
• excessive thickening of the womb lining
• had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries (stroke, angina, or a heart attack)

You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Femoston-conti if you have ever had:

• fibroids inside your womb
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of developing blood clots
• growth or womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis)
• diabetes
• migraines

In addition to the above, you should stop taking Femoston-conti straight away and see a doctor if you:

• have yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• have a large rise in your blood pressure
• are pregnant
• notice signs of a blood clot, like sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing

During the first 3 to 6 months of taking Femoston-conti tablets, you may have irregular bleeding.

You should see your doctor straight away if the irregular bleeding:

• continues after the first 6 months
• begins after you have been taking Femoston-conti for longer than 6 months
• continues once you have stopped taking Femoston-conti

Evidence has shown that HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer. This will depend on how long you use HRT. When you take Femoston-conti, you should check your breasts regularly, and see your doctor if you notice changes like:

• lumps you can feel or see
• changes in the nipple
• dimpling of the skin