FemSeven Conti Patches

What are FemSeven Conti Patches?

FemSeven Conti is an HRT treatment patch that delivers a regulated dose of oestrogen and progesterone to the body to ease symptoms of the menopause in postmenopausal women.

The patches are placed on the skin and are worn continuously. The hormones that are contained within the patches are absorbed through the skin, replenishing the levels that are lost during the menopause and cause symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive to occur.

What are FemSeven Conti Patches used for?

The menopause causes the levels of oestrogen to drop as a woman stops producing eggs and her periods stop. It is the drop in oestrogen levels that causes many women to experience symptoms that can hinder daily life.

FemSeven Conti Patches contain oestrogen and progesterone that are absorbed by the body to increase the levels of these sex hormones in the blood, which can improve the following symptoms.

• Hot flushes
• Vaginal dryness
• Low sex drive
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low mood or anxiety
• Trouble concentrating

How does FemSeven Conti Patches work?

Estradiol is one of the active ingredients in FemSeven Conti patches and is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the human body and is a type of oestrogen.

It is the drop in oestrogen levels during and after the menopause that causes women to experience unpleasant symptoms. By supplementing oestrogen with estradiol it mimics the body’s natural cycle of hormones before the menopause, reducing postmenopausal symptoms.

FemSeven Conti patches also contain the ingredient, levonorgestrel, that mimics the action of the hormone progesterone. It serves as a protective factor for women who have not undergone a hysterectomy, against womb cancers.

Women with an intact uterus must take an HRT that contains both an oestrogen and progesterone. This will cause the uterus to continue to shed each month replicating a menstrual bleed.

FemSeven Conti Patches and weight gain

Although FemSeven, like other HRT, has been reportedly linked to weight gain in some people, the evidence implies that fluid retention and bloating are more plausible explanations rather than genuine weight gain.

It is not uncommon for women during the menopause to gain weight regardless of whether they take HRT. It is thought that this is likely a result of the imbalance in hormones but weight gain is also recognised as a natural part of ageing for both males and females as muscle mass is lost and the metabolism slows.

FemSeven Conti Patches alternatives

FemSeven Conti Patches administer a continuous dose of both oestrogen and progesterone and are changed weekly. Evorel Conti patches are another brand of HRT that contain the same active ingredients but need to be changed twice weekly.

Here at The Independent Pharmacy, we stock an extensive range of HRT including oral tablets, patches and vaginal tablets.

For women who do not want to use HRT or HRT is not suitable for them there are lifestyle changes or non-medicinal alternatives that can be tried that include:

• Using a fan, taking cold showers and wearing loose clothing
• Using vaginal lubricants or moisturisers for vaginal dryness
• Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking, take daily vitamins

If you are unsure about HRT or have concerns regarding the menopause you should arrange to discuss your treatment options with a doctor.

Sources

• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/estradiol-with-levonorgestrel.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
• https://patient.info/medicine/oestrogen-and-progestogen-for-hrt
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/types/

Femseven Conti warnings

Please read the full information regarding warnings and precautions detailed in the Patient Information Leaflet before taking FemSeven Conti Patches.

Using any HRT medication, including FemSeven Conti, carries risks. You should take time to consider whether using HRT is right for you. If you have any questions or concerns you should discuss these with your GP or specialist.

Qualifying to buy FemSeven Conti Patches on repeat prescription from The Independent Pharmacy relies upon you continuing to see your doctor for health review at least once a year.

If you experience any of the following, before or while using FemSeven Conti Patches, stop using them and consult your doctor immediately:

• You suspect or develop breast or endometrial cancer
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding or endometrial hyperplasia
• You have or have ever had a venous blood clot or have a clotting disorder
• You have had a heart attack, stroke or angina

If you have ever been diagnosed with any of the following, consult your doctor before starting FemSeven Conti Patches and again if your condition deteriorates while using HRT:

• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia
• High blood pressure or very high levels of fat in your blood
• Liver, kidney or heart disorders
• Diabetes, SLE, epilepsy or asthma
• Gallstones
• Migraine or severe headaches
• Hypothyroidism
• Hereditary angioedema

FemSeven Conti Patches and cancer

Research has indicated that using a combined estrogen-progestogen HRT such as FemSeven Conti Patches increases your risk of developing breast cancer and slightly increases your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases the longer you take HRT but does return to normal up to 5 years after stopping treatment. For this reason, it is recommended that you only take HRT for the shortest amount of time to manage your symptoms.

FemSeven Conti Patches and your circulation

Using any form of HRT makes you 3 times more likely to develop blood clots and 1.5 times more likely to experience a stroke. If you think you are developing symptoms of a blood clot at any time call NHS 111 or are having a stroke call 999.

FemSeven Conti Patches in pregnancy & breastfeeding

FemSeven Conti Patches are only suitable to use by postmenopausal women and is not a contraceptive. If you have had a menstrual period in the last 12 months or are under 50 years old you should discuss contraception with your doctor before using these patches.

If you become pregnant while using FemSeven Conti Patches remove your current straight away and contact your doctor. You should also not take any form of HRT while breastfeeding.

FemSeven Conti Patches dosage

• FemSeven Conti patches are for transdermal use only by postmenopausal women who have not undergone a hysterectomy.
• One patch should be applied to the skin on the buttocks or hips, changing and rotating sites every 7 days. Patches should be worn continuously without a break. Do not apply to the skin on or around the breasts.
• Wait for at least an hour after applying the patch before participating in strenuous exercise or before bathing, showering or swimming.

How to apply

1. Before application, wash the skin and dry it thoroughly
2. Remove the patch from its pouch and peel off half the protective liner from the back of the patch.
3. Place the patch onto the desired area of hairless, intact skin, sticky side down and peel off the other half of the liner, pressing the patch down onto the skin for 30 seconds.

Before using FemSeven Conti Patches please take the time to read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

FemSeven Conti Patches ingredients

Each FemSeven Conti Patch contains the active ingredients: 1.5 milligrams of estradiol hemihydrate and 0.525milligrams levonorgestrel.

Each patch also contains: transparent polyethylene terephthalate foil, styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, glycerine esters of hydrogenated resin acids.

FemSeven Conti Patches side effects

Like all prescription medicines, you may experience some side effects when using FemSeven Conti Patches. Most women experience mildly and do not need to stop taking HRT because of them.

If you are worried about any side effects that you experience or you do not feel that your menopausal symptoms are improving after 3 months you should speak to a doctor for advice.

1 in 10 women will experience:

• Bleeding or spotting between monthly bleeds
• Irritation to the skin where patches are applied
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Indigestion

Taking any form of HRT has been linked to certain health issues such as blood clots and cancer. You should ensure you are familiar with all warnings and precautions associated with FemSeven Conti before starting treatment and if you are concerned you should arrange to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before use.