Buy Elleste Solo online to help ease symptoms of the menopause

What is Elleste Solo?

Elleste Solo is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is used to supplement falling levels of oestrogen in menopausal women, helping to relieve symptoms of the menopause.

Elleste Solo 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.  

How does it work?

Elleste Solo contains estradiol, a form of the female hormone oestrogen. During menopause, the level of oestrogen naturally produced by the ovaries decreases. This can cause menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and sweats, irregular periods, mood swings and reduced libido. Menopause can also cause a weakening of the bones, known as osteoporosis. HRT 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 causes the womb lining to thicken, which significantly increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Therefore as an oestrogen-only HRT, Elleste Solo is only suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy, or who have a Mirena coil (intrauterine system (IUS)) fitted.

Elleste Solo summary

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Elleste Solo tablets and patches is estradiol hemihydrate.

Inactive ingredients

Elleste Solo tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E171) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (E464). The 2 mg tablets also contain the colouring sunset yellow (E110).  

Elleste Solo patches contain the following inactive ingredients: diethyltoluamide, acrylic adhesive (Dow Corning MG-0560), acrylic emulsion (Acrysol 33), polyester film (Scotchpak 9733) and siliconised aluminised polyester.

How to use Elleste Solo

Elleste Solo 1mg or 2mg Tablets:

If you still have regular periods, start taking the tablets on the first day of your period. If you no longer have regular periods, you can start taking Elleste Solo tablets at any time. 

• You should take one tablet each day at around the same time. 
• Tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with water.
• Follow the direction of the arrows and the days of the week that are marked on the pack and take a tablet each day until the pack is empty. 
• When you finish a pack, start the next pack on the next day.

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. 

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.

Elleste Solo MX40 or MX80 transdermal patches:

Always use medications as instructed by the prescribing doctor. The usual dose is to use two patches a week. These should be applied one at a time and left on the skin for 3–4 days, before being replaced with the second patch. 

• The patch should be placed on dry, unbroken skin, below the waistline (the lower back or buttocks are common places to use).
• Do not place your new patch in the same place you have just used it.
• Do not apply the patch to your breast. 

If you have regular periods, apply the first patch within 5 days of the start of your period. If you are not having regular periods, you can start using the patches at any time. If you are changing from another type of HRT, you should generally finish one treatment cycle before starting Elleste Solo. You should speak to your doctor for clarification.

Elleste Solo dosage

Elleste Solo Tablets:

Elleste Solo Patches:

Elleste Solo side effects

The side effects of Elleste Solo are similar to the side effects of HRT more generally. The most common side effects of Elleste Solo are nausea, stomach cramps, headaches, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding, swelling, breast tenderness or enlargement, mood swings and changes in libido. If you’re using Elleste patches, you may also experience skin irritation where the patches are applied. 

There are also a number of other rare, but serious side effects that you should be aware of. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to Elleste. If severe, this may cause a rash with breathing difficulties and swelling of the face and tongue. If this occurs, seek emergency medical attention. 

You should also stop taking Elleste Solo and seek immediate medical attention if you notice jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), migraines, painful swelling in your legs, sudden chest pain, breathing difficulties, cough with blood-stained sputum or a significant rise in blood pressure (characterised by headaches, tiredness and dizziness). 

Elleste Solo can also slightly increase the risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism etc.), heart disease, stroke and memory loss.

Please read the patient information leaflet for a full list of possible side effects and important safety information. 

Cautions

The risks of HRT may be increased for women with certain conditions. However, it may still be possible for you to take Elleste Solo if you have regular check-ups with your doctor. 

These conditions include diabetes, gallstones, migraines, epilepsy, asthma, high blood pressure, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, otosclerosis, immune system disorders, some liver disorders, fluid retention and high triglycerides in the blood. You may also need more monitoring if you have increased risk factors for developing blood clots of certain types of cancer. 

For your safety, always inform the prescribing doctor of any medical conditions you currently have or have had in the past. 

Contraindications

Elleste Solo is not suitable for women with certain conditions in their medical history. These include breast cancer, endometrial cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, clotting disorders, angina, heart attack, liver disease, porphyria and endometrial hyperplasia. Elleste Solo must also not be taken by pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. 

For these reasons, it is very important that you inform the prescribing doctor of any medical conditions you have or have had previously. Always consult a doctor before taking Elleste Solo or any other form of HRT. 

Drug interactions

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 interact with Elleste Solo:

• Epilepsy medications, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine
• Tuberculosis medications, such as rifampicin and rifabutin
• Medications for HIV infection, such as nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, telaprevir and nelfinavir
• Coumarins, lamotrigine, and selegiline
• Herbal remedies containing St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)

Lifestyle changes to improve menopause symptoms

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 strengthen your bones and improve your general wellbeing. You can also 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.

Elleste Solo vs. Elleste Duet

Elleste Solo contains only one active ingredient - estradiol. Estradiol is a type of oestrogen. Elleste Duet contains both estradiol and norethisterone acetate. Norethisterone acetate is a type of progestogen. Women who have a uterus (womb) can be at increased risk of endometrial cancer if they take oestrogen-only HRT. Therefore, Elleste Duet is likely to be recommended instead. The norethisterone in Elleste Duet causes a monthly bleed. This prevents the lining of the uterus from becoming too thick, which reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. 

Elleste Solo MX vs. Elleste Solo

Elleste Solo is a tablet oestrogen-only HRT preparation which comes in either a 1mg or 2mg dose. Elleste Solo MX40 and MX80 are transdermal (patch) formulations of the same hormone. Transdermal patches are applied twice per week and release a steady dose of oestrogen into the bloodstream. They work in the same way as the tablets, however tend to have fewer side effects, and are not associated with an increased risk of blood clots like tablets. You can speak to your doctor for advice on which treatment is best for you.

Elleste Solo vs. other forms of HRT

HRT comes in many different forms that are available online from Dr Felix. Similar to Elleste Solo, Premarin is an oestrogen-only HRT, however, it contains conjugated oestrogens rather than estradiol. Premarin is also only suitable for use in women who have had a hysterectomy or who have an IUS fitted. Oestrogen-only HRT is also available as transdermal patches such as Evorel, which are worn on the skin and tend to have fewer side effects.

For women who have not undergone a hysterectomy, and do not have an IUS fitted, HRT containing both oestrogen and progesterone are more suitable. For women who have not had a bleed for at least 12 months, Elleste Duet Conti, Climesse and Kliovance are tablet forms of continuous combined HRT that do not induce a monthly bleed. If a patch is preferred, Evorel Conti is a transdermal continuous combined HRT.

For those still having periods, Elleste Duet, Prempack-C and Trisequens are cyclical or “sequential” combined HRT which provide a cyclical dose of progestogen, which will produce a regular bleed. Cyclical combined patches are also available such as Evorel Sequi. 

Alternatively, Tibolone (brand name Livial) is a type of steroid which works by activating the oestrogen and progesterone receptors. It is a selective steroid that carries a slightly lower risk of breast cancer.

Alternatives to HRT

HRT is the most widely used treatment for the symptoms of menopause and is generally accepted to be 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.

Is oestrogen-only HRT safe for me?

Oestrogen-only HRT is only suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy or who have a Mirena coil in situ. Unopposed oestrogen leads to the lining of the womb (the endometrium) becoming thickened. This can lead to a condition called endometrial hyperplasia, and can also lead to endometrial cancer. The Mirena coil provides progestogen to the womb, which prevents this from happening.

When can I stop taking HRT?

Most women stop taking HRT after their menopausal symptoms have finished. This is usually around two to five years after they first started taking HRT. Speak to your doctor if you are thinking of stopping HRT. 

It is usually recommended that you stop HRT by gradually decreasing your dose. You should be aware that as you stop HRT, some of your menopausal symptoms may return, but these should stop after a few months. Some women experience ongoing vaginal dryness after finishing HRT. A number of creams and lubricants are available to help with this. Your doctor may also recommend that you take other medication to prevent osteoporosis after finishing HRT.