Elleste Solo is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It contains estradiol, a form of oestrogen, and is used to supplement falling levels of oestrogen in women, relieving the symptoms of menopause.
It is NOT a contraceptive. If you are under 50, or if it is less than 12 months since your last period, you may still need to use additional contraception to avoid pregnancy. Speak to your GP for advice.
The treatment contains estradiol, a form of the female hormone oestrogen. During menopause, the level of oestrogen naturally produced by women decreases, causing symptoms such as hot flushes and sweats, irregular periods and mood swings. Menopause also causes a weakening of the bones, known as osteoporosis. It works by supplementing the natural levels of oestrogen in women, relieving symptoms of menopause and temporarily preventing osteoporosis.
Increasing the level of oestrogen in the body also causes the womb lining to build up, which significantly increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone is the hormone responsible for countering the effect of oestrogen on the womb lining. Since it does not contain a progesterone synthetic, this treatment is only suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy, or who have a intrauterine system (IUS), or mirena coil fitted.
The active ingredient is estradiol hemihydrate.
The inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E171), and hypromellose (E464).
The 2 mg tablet also contains the colouring sunset yellow (E110).
If you no longer experience regular bleeds, start taking the treatment at any time. If you do still experience regular bleeds, you should start taking it on the first day of your bleed. Swallow one tablet per day with some water. It is best to take your tablet at the same time each day, so try and make it a part of your daily routine. For example, take your tablet with breakfast every day, or when you brush your teeth.
If you forget to take a dose, try and take it within 12 hours of the normal time. If 12 hours has already passed, don’t worry, just take the next dose at the normal time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one. The days of the week are marked on the foil trip to help you remember to take each tablet. When you reach the end of a strip, start a new one the next day.
If you are switching from another form of HRT, speak to your doctor on how to switch treatments. It is usually recommended to finish the current pack of your previous treatment before starting a new one.
The treatment is available in 1 mg and 2 mg tablets. Your doctor will prescribe you the minimum dose possible according to your symptoms, although 2 mg is commonly prescribed for the prevention of osteoporosis. The recommended dose is 1 tablet taken once daily around the same time of day.
Like all medications, this treatment can cause side effects in some people. Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) can include:
Uncommon side effects, which can affect up to 1 in 100 people, include:
Additionally, there is a slight increase in risk of developing the following diseases in women using HRT:
Always consult a doctor before taking this or any other form of HRT. Do NOT take this medication if:
Speak to your doctor if you have any questions about the conditions listed above. You should also tell your doctor and take extra care when taking this medication if you have any of the following, as you may need to see your doctor more often for medical check-ups:
You should stop taking Elleste Duet immediately and consult your doctor if you notice:
HRT that contains a progesterone as well as an oestrogen synthetic, such as this one, has a reduced risk of leading to endometrial cancer. However, evidence suggest that this HRT could lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. While taking this medication, it is important to regularly check your breasts any lumps you can see or feel, dimpling of the skin or changes to the nipple, and speak to your doctor if you are concerned.
Before taking this treatment, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including those bought over the counter without a prescription. In particular, the following medicines may interfere with it and cause irregular bleeding:
Certain lifestyle changes can help to manage the symptoms of menopause and increase the effectiveness of HRT. Cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods, as well as quitting smoking and wearing loose-fitting clothes, can help reduce the impact of hot flushes and night sweats. Regular exercise is known to reduce stress, as well as strengthening your bones and improving your general wellbeing. You can increase your intake of vitamin D, which is vital for the absorption of calcium, to help keep your bones strong and healthy. Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can help with vaginal dryness and can be bought in any chemist with the help of a pharmacist.
HRT is the most widely used treatment for the symptoms of menopause and is generally accepted to the most effective option. Some women choose to try taking herbal supplements, although the effectiveness of these treatments is unknown. It is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of different herbal supplements.
An alternative to Solo is Elleste Duet, which contains synthetic forms of both oestrogen (estradiol hemihydrate) and progesterone (norethisterone acetate). This means it is suitable for use in women who have not had a hysterectomy and who do not have a IUS fitted. Duet also allows for a monthly bleed and is therefore suitable for women who still experience regular periods, or who have had a natural period within the last 12 months.
Elleste Solo is also available as 40 microgram or 80 microgram transdermal patches called Elleste Solo MX. Transdermal patches also contain estradiol, which is absorbed into the bloodstream and works in the same way as the tablets. While the patches tend to have less side effects, some women may find that they irritate the skin. You can speak to your doctor for advice on which treatment is best for you.
HRT comes in many different forms which are accessible through the NHS and can be purchased online from Dr Felix. Like Elleste Solo, Premarin contains an oestrogen supplement only, and are therefore suitable for use in women who have had a hysterectomy or who have a IUS fitted. Oestrogen-only HRTs are also available as transdermal patches such as Evorel, which are worn on the skin and tend to have less side effects.
For women who have not undergone a hysterectomy, or do not have a IUS fitted, HRTs containing both oestrogen and progesterone supplements are available. For women who have not had a bleed for at least 12 months, Elleste Duet Conti, Climesse and Kliovance are preferable, as they do not induce a simulation of a monthly bleed. Alternatively, Tibolone (brand name Livial) is a type of steroid which works by activating the oestrogen and progesterone receptors. It is a selective steroid which carries a slightly lower risk of breast cancer. Women who still experience monthly bleeding in the early stages of menopause will need to be prescribed Elleste Duet, which simulates the natural rise and fall of progesterone and results in a monthly bleed.
The oestrogen supplement in Solo is estradiol, which is bioidentical to the natural form of oestrogen which decreases with menopause.
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