FemSeven Patches

FemSeven Patches for Menopause Symptoms

What are FemSeven patches for?

FemSeven patches are used to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause in women who are more than one year past their last period. They are also used to help prevent osteoporosis (fragile bones) in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of fractures and cannot use other treatments.

During menopause, oestrogen levels fall. This can lead to:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Mood changes and irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort
• Reduced bone density, increasing fracture risk

FemSeven patches are an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT). They are particularly suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy (womb removal). Women who have not had a hysterectomy will typically need combined HRT – a progestogen prescribed separately to protect the womb lining.

How do FemSeven patches work?

FemSeven patches deliver estradiol, a form of oestrogen, applied to the skin and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This is called transdermal delivery.

Each patch continuously releases a steady, controlled dose of estradiol over 7 days. Because the hormone is absorbed through the skin rather than passing through the digestive system, it bypasses the liver – this is one reason many doctors consider patches a well-tolerated option for HRT.

By restoring oestrogen levels, FemSeven helps relieve symptoms caused by oestrogen deficiency after menopause.

Who can use FemSeven patches?

FemSeven patches are for postmenopausal women more than one year after their last period. Treatment is started at the lowest effective dose (50mcg) and adjusted by your doctor if needed.

Do not use FemSeven if you:

• Have or have ever had breast cancer, or are suspected of having it
• Have any cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens (such as endometrial cancer), or are suspected of having it
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have untreated excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
• Have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency)
• Have or have recently had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries (such as a heart attack, stroke or angina)
• Have liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal
• Have porphyria (an inherited condition affecting the blood)
• Are allergic to estradiol hemihydrate or any other ingredient in FemSeven

Talk to your doctor before using FemSeven if you have or have had:

• Fibroids (benign growths of the womb)
• Endometriosis
• A history of abnormal growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Increased risk of blood clots
• A family history of breast cancer
• High blood pressure
• A liver disorder
• Diabetes
• Gallstones
• Migraine or severe headaches
• Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Epilepsy
• Asthma
• Otosclerosis (a hearing condition)
• Very high levels of fat in the blood (triglycerides)
• Fluid retention due to heart or kidney problems
• Hereditary angioedema

If you are looking for a FemSeven patches alternative, other HRT options are available. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist, who can help find the most suitable treatment for you.

How to use FemSeven patches

Each FemSeven patch is worn continuously for 7 days and replaced with a new one. You will always wear one patch at a time, with no breaks between patches.

Choose an area of skin below the waist where there is little skin wrinkling, like your buttocks, hips or abdomen. Avoid the waist. Never apply the patch on or near your breasts.

How to apply it:

1. Make sure the skin is clean, dry and free from any creams, lotions or oils
2. Remove the patch from its sachet
3. Peel off one half of the protective liner at the S-shaped notch and apply that side of the patch to your skin, avoiding contact between the adhesive and your fingers
4. Peel off the other half of the liner and press the full patch firmly against your skin with the palm of your hand for at least 30 seconds
5. The warmth of your skin helps the patch bond properly

Each time you change your patch, use a different area of skin. Do not use the same spot two weeks in a row.

Side Effects of FemSeven Patches

Like all medicines, FemSeven patches can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.

Very common side effects (more than 1 in 10 people)

Skin reactions at the site where the patch is applied, including itching, redness, eczema, hives, swelling and changes in skin pigmentation. These are usually mild and typically clear up 2 to 3 days after removing the patch.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache
• Breast discomfort (such as breast tenderness or enlargement)

Uncommon side effects (up to 1 in 100 people)

• Hair changes, increased sweating
• Joint pain, leg cramps
• Dizziness, tingling in the fingers or toes, migraine
• Anxiety, increased appetite, depression, difficulty sleeping, nervousness
• Nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting
• Blood pressure changes
• Chest pain
• Vein disorders
• Vaginal discharge, breakthrough bleeding
• Swelling, fatigue, weight changes (including FemSeven patches weight gain)

Rare side effects (up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Worsening of uterine fibroids

Side effects reported with HRT generally

• Gallbladder disease
• Skin discolouration, particularly on the face or neck (chloasma)
• Painful red nodules (erythema nodosum)
• Rash with target-shaped reddening or sores (erythema multiforme)

The following are also reported more often in women using HRT compared to women not using it:

• Breast cancer
• Abnormal growth or cancer of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer)
• Ovarian cancer
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Possible memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65

For more detailed information, read the patient information leaflet before using FemSeven

If you experience a severe or unexpected side effect, stop using FemSeven and seek immediate medical attention by calling 999 or going to A&E.

Reporting FemSeven side effects

If you notice any side effects, including side effects not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly through the Yellow Card Scheme. This helps improve the safety of medicines.

FemSeven Patches Ingredients

Active ingredient: Estradiol hemihydrate 1.5 mg per patch (delivering 50 micrograms of estradiol per 24 hours for the 50mcg strength)

Other ingredients: Transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil, styrene-isoprene block copolymer, glycerine esters of completely hydrogenated resins

Important Information

• Keep FemSeven patches out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the sachet
• Store below 30°C
• Keep patches in their individual sachets until you are ready to use them
• Do not expose the patch to direct sunlight while it is on your skin
• FemSeven is not a contraceptive – if you are under 50 or it has been less than 12 months since your last period, speak to your doctor about contraception
• If you still have your womb, you will need a separate progestogen prescribed alongside FemSeven – taking oestrogen-only HRT with an intact uterus increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia
• Tell your surgeon you are using FemSeven before any operation – you may need to stop using it 4 to 6 weeks beforehand to reduce the risk of blood clots
• If you need a blood test, tell your doctor or the laboratory that you are using FemSeven, as it can affect some test results
• Don’t dispose of patches via wastewater – ask your pharmacist for advice on safe disposal