Estrofem Tablets 2mg

Estrofem general information

What is Estrofem used for?

Estrofem tablets 2mg are a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to substitute for a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause, to relieve symptoms of menopause caused by oestrogen deficiency, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Estrofem tablets 2mg also are also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture.  Estrofem tablets 2mg are also used to treat hypoestrogenism (low oestrogen levels) due to hypogonadism (under developed ovaries), which causes delayed puberty due to lack of oestrogen production, failure of the ovaries to produce sufficient oestrogen or following surgical removal of the ovaries.  Estrofem tablets 2mg are used for palliative treatment in certain types of advanced cancers in men and women.  Estrofem tablets 2mg stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics, and are used as part of a transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals. 

How does Estrofem work?

Estrofem tablets 2mg contains oestradiol, the major and the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen and works in the same way as naturally produced oestrogen.  Oestradiol in Estrofem tablets 2mg is micronized, or reduced to tiny particles, so that it is better absorbed and can be taken orally as tablets. Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle.  Oestrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism. 

What does Estrofem contain?

Estrofem tablets 2mg contain the active ingredient17β-oestradiol, a synthetic form of human oestradiol, which is the most active form of the female hormone oestrogen and is used for hormone replacement therapy under several conditions.  Estrofem tablets 2mg also contains lactose monohydrate, maize starch, hydroxypropylcellulose, talc gelatine, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide E171, hypromellose, macrogol 400, indigo carmine E132

Treating symptoms of menopause with Estrofem

Estrofem tablets 2mg contains oestradiol, the major and the most active form of the female hormone estrogen, and is used to treat symptoms caused by a lack of endogenous estrogen (produced by the ovaries), which happens during menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy.  Estrofem tablets 2mg also are also used to help prevent postmenopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) and reduce risk of fracture. 

Estrofem for hormone replacement therapy

Estrofem tablets 2mg contains oestradiol, the major and the most active form of the female hormone estrogen, and is used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to substitute for a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries that happens during menopause.  HRT relieves symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings, lack of concentration and loss of energy; also loss of bone mass.  Estrofem tablets 2mg are also used to treat hypoestrogenism (low oestrogen levels) due to hypogonadism (under developed ovaries), which causes delayed puberty due to lack of oestrogen production, failure of the ovaries to produce sufficient oestrogen or following surgical removal of the ovaries. 

Estrofem for transgender treatment

Estrofem tablets 2mg can be used as part of a gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals, by providing a source of oestradiol, an active form of the female hormone oestrogen.  Estrofem tablets 2mg stimulate the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and also induce metabolic changes such as fat distribution to redefine the general body shape.

What are the side effects of Estrofem?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Estrofem tablets 2mg include breast tenderness, breast pain, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, headache, hair loss, oedema (fluid retention).  More severe side effects include changes in liver function, hypotension (high blood pressure), hypoglycaemia (high blood sugar), uterine fibroids, darkened skin spots, vaginal yeast infection.

What are the health risks of Estrofem?

Long-term HRT with Estrofem tablets 2mg does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.  For women with an intact uterus adding a progestagen to an oestrogen replacement regimen like Estrofem for at least 10 days per cycle is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.   

When should Estrofem not be used?

You should not use Estrofem tablets 2mg if you:

• are allergic to oestradiol or any ingredients in Estrofem tablets 2mg
• have liver disease
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have abnormal unexplained genital bleeding
• have a history of cancer of the breast or uterus or any other oestrogen dependent cancer
• have a history of painful inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis) or blockage of a blood vessel in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• have heart disease or severe uncontrolled high blood pressure or have had a stroke or heart attack within the past year
• are taking other medications that may interact with Estrofem, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, anti-infectives like rifampicin and rifabutin, nevirapine and efavirenz for HIV, antifungals like ketoconazole, anticoagulants like warfarin, preparations containing St John's Wort

How should Estrofem be taken?

You should take your Estrofem tablets 2mg with a glass of water once a day, preferably at the same time each day.  The dose you take and for how long depends on your what you are being treated for and should be as recommended by your doctor.  Your doctor will review the dose you are taking and if needed will reduce your dose gradually.  You should continue to take your Estrofem tablets 2mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few months or years.

How long should you take Estrofem?

You should continue to take your Estrofem tablets 2mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few months or years.

Missed dose of Estrofem

If you miss a dose of Estrofem tablets 2mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Estrofem be stored?

You should store your Estrofem below 25°C in a cool dry place.