Evorel Conti Patches

Evorel Conti HRT Patches

Uses for Evorel Conti Patches

Evorel Conti patches are a type of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) used to relieve symptoms of the menopause in women who still have their womb (uterus).

The patches are specifically designed for continuous combined HRT, which means they deliver both oestrogen and progestogen hormones together without a break. This makes them suitable for women who are postmenopausal and no longer want to have monthly withdrawal bleeds.

Evorel Conti helps relieve common menopausal symptoms, including:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort
• Mood swings and irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Reduced sex drive
• Joint and muscle aches

The patches also help prevent osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) in postmenopausal women who are at risk of fractures, particularly if other treatments aren’t suitable.

How Does Evorel Conti Work?

Evorel Conti patches work by delivering two types of hormones through your skin and into your bloodstream: estradiol (a form of oestrogen) and norethisterone acetate (a progestogen).

During menopause, your body’s natural production of oestrogen drops, which causes the uncomfortable symptoms many women experience, like hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Estradiol replaces the oestrogen your body is no longer producing, helping to relieve these symptoms.

The norethisterone acetate is included to protect the lining of the womb (endometrium). When you take oestrogen on its own, it can cause the lining of the womb to thicken too much, which increases the risk of endometrial cancer. The progestogen prevents this thickening and keeps your womb lining healthy.

Because Evorel Conti is a continuous combined HRT, you apply the patches without any breaks. This means you receive both oestrogen and progesterone every day, which stops you from having monthly withdrawal bleeds. This is different from sequential HRT, where you’d still have period-like vaginal bleeding or spotting each month.

The patch delivers hormones steadily through your skin over 3-4 days, maintaining consistent hormone levels in your body. This can help reduce side effects compared to tablets, where hormone levels can fluctuate throughout the day.

Who Can Use Evorel Conti Patches?

Evorel Conti is suitable for postmenopausal women who still have their womb and haven’t had a period for at least 18 months. It’s designed for women who want to manage their menopause symptoms without having monthly withdrawal bleeds.

However, Evorel Conti isn’t right for everyone, and there are some situations where you shouldn’t use it.

Do not use Evorel Conti if you:

• Have or have had breast cancer, or are suspected of having it
• Have or have had cancer that is sensitive to oestrogen, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium)
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have untreated excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Have or have had blood clots in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Have a blood-clotting disorder
• Have or recently had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack or stroke
• Have or have had liver disease, and your liver function tests haven’t returned to normal
• Have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria
• Are allergic to estradiol, norethisterone acetate, or any other ingredients in Evorel Conti
• Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant

You should speak to your doctor before using Evorel Conti if you:

• Have or have had fibroids inside your womb
• Have endometriosis or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Have an increased risk of developing blood clots
• Have an increased risk of getting oestrogen-sensitive cancer (such as having a close relative who has had breast cancer)
• Have high blood pressure
• Have a liver disorder
• Have diabetes
• Have gallstones
• Have migraines or severe headaches
• Have a disease of the immune system that affects many organs (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE)
• Have epilepsy
• Have asthma
• Have a disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis)
• Smoke

Your doctor will assess your individual circumstances and medical history to determine whether Evorel Conti is safe and suitable for you.

How to Apply Evorel Conti Patches

1. Choose a clean, dry area of skin below your waist – on your lower back, hips, or buttocks. Avoid areas where clothing might rub the patch off, like your breasts and waistline.
2. Make sure the area is free from cuts, spots, or irritation. Don’t apply to oily, damaged, or irritated skin.
3. Open the sachet, remove the patch, and peel off one side of the protective liner. Press the sticky side firmly onto your skin, then remove the other half of the liner and press down the entire patch firmly with your palm for at least 10 seconds. Try not to touch the sticky side of the patch with your fingers.
4. Wash your hands after applying.
5. Change the patch twice a week (every 3-4 days). For example, if you apply a patch on Monday, change it on Thursday or Friday, then again on Sunday or Monday.
6. Always choose a different area of skin when applying a new patch. Wait at least a week before using the same spot again.
7. Remove the old patch slowly, fold it in half with the sticky sides together, and dispose of it safely away from children and pets.

The patch stays on during normal activities, including bathing, showering, and swimming. If a patch falls off early, apply a new one and continue with your regular schedule.

Try to change your patches on the same two days each week to help you remember.

Side Effects of Evorel Conti Patches

Like all medicines, Evorel Conti can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and often improve as your body adjusts to the treatment.

Very Common Side Effects

These may affect more than 1 in 10 people:

• Reactions at the application site (redness, itching, irritation)

Common Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 10 people:

• Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity)
• Being unable to sleep
• Feeling depressed, nervous or anxious
• Painful periods
• Discharge from the vagina
• Being aware of your heartbeat (palpitations)
• Varicose veins
• Pain including pain in the back or joints
• Weight gain
• Flushing, skin reddening
• Breast pain
• Water retention or build-up of fluid under the skin (oedema)
• Feeling tired
• Numb or tingling hands orfeet
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Irregular, heavy or prolonged bleeding from the vagina, including aftersex
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Stomach ache

Uncommon Side Effects

These may affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• Skin reactions (rash, itching, hives)
• Changes in sex drive
• Swelling of hands and feet
• High blood pressure
• Vaginal infections like thrush
• Indigestion
• Wind (flatulence)
• Muscle pain

Serious Side Effects

Stop using Evorel Conti and seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Signs of a blood clot – such as painful swelling in your leg, sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood
• Signs of a stroke – such as sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of your body), sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding, sudden vision problems, sudden severe headache, or loss of balance
• Severe allergic reaction – such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice), which may be a sign of liver problems
• A significant rise in your blood pressure (symptoms may include headache, tiredness, dizziness)

For a complete list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

If you experience any side effects, whether listed here or not, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, which helps improve the safety of medicines for everyone.

Evorel Conti Patches Ingredients

Active ingredients: Estradiol hemihydrate 3.2mg (delivering 50 micrograms per 24 hours) and norethisterone acetate 11.2mg (delivering 170 micrograms per 24 hours)

Inactive ingredients: Duro-Tak 387-2287 (this makes the patches sticky), guar gum and Hostaphan MN19 (backing film).

Warnings & Precautions

• Keep Evorel Conti out of sight and reach of children.
• Store below 25°C in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
• HRT slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, and ovarian cancer. The risk varies depending on your age and how long you use HRT. Check your breasts regularly and contact your doctor if you notice any changes.
• If you’re having surgery or will be off your feet for a long time, tell your doctor you’re using HRT. You may need to stop several weeks before the operation.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of a blood clot (painful swelling in your leg, sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing), stroke (sudden weakness, confusion, vision problems, severe headache), or liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, itching, upper abdominal pain).
• If you have irregular or unexpected vaginal bleeding while using Evorel Conti, contact your doctor.
• Evorel Conti is not a contraception and doesn’t work as a contraceptive. If you still need contraception, speak to your doctor about suitable options.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure while using Evorel Conti, as some women develop brown patches on their skin when exposed to sunlight.