Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 07/06/2021
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 the ovaries decreases, causing 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 this oestrogen-only HRT preparation is only suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy, or who have a Mirena intrauterine system (IUS) fitted.
The active ingredient in all formulations of Elleste Solo is estradiol hemihydrate.
In Elleste Solo tablets: 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).
In Elleste Solo transdermal patches: diethyltoluamide, acrylic adhesive (Dow Corning MG-0560), acrylic emulsion (Acrysol 33), polyester film (Scotchpak 9733), siliconised aluminised polyester.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Rare side effects experienced by less than 1 in 1000 people include:
Additionally, there is a slight increase in the risk of developing the following conditions in certain women using HRT:
Always consult a doctor before taking this or any other form of HRT. Do NOT take this medication if you:
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 Solo immediately and consult your doctor if you notice:
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:
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 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.
Elleste Solo only contains estradiol (an oestrogen) whereas Elleste Duet contains estradiol and norethisterone acetate (a progestogen). Elleste Duet is, therefore, a suitable option for women who have a uterus and would therefore be at risk of excessive thickening of the womb lining with oestrogen alone. Elleste Duet is a cyclical combined HRT formulation, which allows for a monthly bleed, so it’s suitable for women who still experience regular periods, or who have had a natural period within the last 12 months.
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.
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.
The oestrogen supplement in Solo is estradiol, which is bioidentical to the natural form of oestrogen which decreases with menopause.
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.
Prices from:
Oestrogen-only tablets
Cyclical HRT tablets
Oestrogen-only patches
Continuous combined HRT tablets
Cyclical HRT tablets
Continuous combined HRT tablets
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