Elleste Solo Tablets

Your Menopause, Your Treatment: What You Need to Know

Elleste Solo Tablets are an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) containing oestradiol, the primary naturally occurring form of oestrogen in the human body. Available in a 1 mg strength, this tablet is prescribed to women who are experiencing symptoms directly linked to low oestrogen levels, whether from natural menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, or surgical menopause following a hysterectomy.

Every woman's menopause is different. For some, symptoms are mild and manageable. For others, the physical and emotional effects of falling oestrogen, from persistent hot flushes that disrupt working life to night sweats that fragment sleep, can feel relentless. Elleste Solo offers a targeted, oestrogen-only approach to managing those symptoms. Because it contains no progestogen, it is prescribed specifically to women who no longer have a uterus, removing the need for the additional hormone that would otherwise be required to protect the womb lining.

This page provides factual, clinical information about Elleste Solo to help you understand the treatment before speaking to a prescriber. It is not a substitute for a clinical consultation, which remains the essential first step in any HRT journey.

Elleste Solo is an oestrogen-only HRT tablet. Each film-coated tablet contains oestradiol valerate, a synthetic form of oestradiol that behaves identically to the oestrogen your ovaries produced before the menopause. Unlike sequential or continuous combined HRT preparations, Elleste Solo contains just one active hormone. There is no progestogen component and no withdrawal bleed.

The absence of progestogen is clinically significant. In women who retain their uterus, unopposed oestrogen carries a risk of endometrial overgrowth, so a progestogen must always be added. In women who have had a hysterectomy, that risk is removed, making oestrogen-only therapy a clinically appropriate and well-established option. For these women, Elleste Solo provides straightforward, once-daily hormonal support.

Oestrogen is not simply a reproductive hormone. It acts across almost every major system in the body, from the brain and cardiovascular system to the bones, skin, and urogenital tissues. When the ovaries stop producing oestrogen at menopause, oestrogen receptors throughout these systems are left without their usual signal, and the wide range of menopausal symptoms reflects that loss of hormonal communication.

Oestradiol in Elleste Solo binds to oestrogen receptors and restores that signalling. In the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for body temperature regulation, oestradiol helps stabilise the thermoregulatory set point, which is why vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats are among the first to respond to HRT. In the urogenital tissues, oestrogen restores cellular health to the vaginal lining and supports bladder function. In bone, oestrogen acts as a brake on the osteoclast activity that would otherwise accelerate bone thinning after the menopause.

This broad mechanism is why oestrogen-only therapy such as Elleste Solo can address such a varied range of symptoms with a single active ingredient. The 1 mg dose is the lower end of the oestradiol range and is often used as a starting point, allowing the prescriber to assess response and tolerability before considering any dose adjustment.

When to Start

Your prescriber will advise you on the most appropriate time to begin. If you still have periods, treatment often starts on the first day of your cycle. If your periods have stopped or are irregular, your prescriber will suggest a suitable starting day based on your clinical circumstances.

How to Take Your Tablet

Take one Elleste Solo 1 mg tablet daily, every day, without breaks. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. You may take it with or without food. Choosing a consistent time each day, whether with breakfast, after brushing your teeth in the evening, or alongside another regular habit, reduces the likelihood of missed doses and helps maintain stable oestrogen levels in your bloodstream.

Unlike sequential HRT preparations, Elleste Solo does not have a two-phase blister strip. Every tablet in the pack is identical. There is no planned withdrawal bleed, and if you experience unexpected vaginal bleeding while taking Elleste Solo, you should report it to your prescriber promptly, as it requires investigation.

If You Miss a Dose

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, provided it is within 12 hours of your usual time. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your next tablet as scheduled. Never take two tablets in one day. Occasional missed doses may cause a temporary return of symptoms, such as breakthrough flushes, but will not cause harm.

Stopping Treatment

Do not stop taking Elleste Solo abruptly without speaking to your prescriber. While it is safe to stop, a gradual reduction in dose is often recommended to minimise the return of symptoms. Your prescriber will advise you on the most appropriate way to step down treatment when the time comes.

The 1 mg Strength

Elleste Solo is available in a 1 mg oestradiol valerate strength, which represents a low to moderate dose within the oestrogen-only HRT range. Current guidance from NICE and the British Menopause Society supports starting with the lowest dose that provides adequate symptom control, and the 1 mg strength is often the first dose prescribed.

If your prescriber finds that 1 mg does not adequately manage your symptoms after an initial assessment period, usually around three months, they may consider adjusting your treatment. This could involve a higher dose of Elleste Solo, a switch to a different formulation, or a change in delivery method such as a patch or gel. These decisions are made on an individual clinical basis and will be discussed at your review.

Consistency Matters More Than Strength

The effectiveness of oestrogen therapy depends on consistent daily intake to maintain stable serum oestradiol levels. Erratic dosing is more likely to result in symptom breakthrough than the dose strength itself. Speak to your prescriber before making any changes to your regimen.

Effects That Commonly Occur in the First Few Months

Many side effects associated with Elleste Solo occur as the body adjusts to restored oestrogen levels and tend to settle within the first eight to twelve weeks. These commonly reported effects include:

1. Breast tenderness or fullness
2. Nausea, particularly if the tablet is taken on an empty stomach
3. Headache or migraine
4. Abdominal bloating or discomfort
5. Mood fluctuation, including low mood or increased emotional sensitivity
6. Fluid retention, leading to a feeling of puffiness or mild weight increase
7. Leg cramps

Side Effects That Require Prompt Medical Attention

The following symptoms are uncommon but serious. Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of these while taking Elleste Solo:

1. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood, which may suggest a pulmonary embolism
2. Swelling, redness, or pain in one leg, which may indicate a deep vein thrombosis
3. Sudden vision changes, severe headache, or one-sided weakness, which may indicate stroke
4. Unexplained vaginal bleeding or spotting
5. New breast lump or nipple discharge
6. Jaundice or severe abdominal pain in the upper right area

The Risk Picture Over Time

Oestrogen-only HRT carries a different risk profile from combined HRT. Studies indicate that oestrogen-only therapy is not associated with the same increase in breast cancer risk seen with combined preparations, at least in the short to medium term. The risk picture is complex and depends on individual factors including age, duration of use, body weight, and whether the menopause was natural or surgical. Your prescriber will use your full clinical profile to assess whether the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks for you.

Venous thromboembolism risk is lower with transdermal oestrogen than with oral oestrogen. If you have personal or family risk factors for blood clots, your prescriber may discuss whether a patch or gel form of oestrogen would be more appropriate for you.

Women Who May Be Candidates for This Treatment

Elleste Solo is licensed for the following indications:

1. Relief of symptoms associated with natural, premature, or surgical menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood disturbance, and sleep disruption
2. Post-hysterectomy HRT: Elleste Solo is particularly suited to women who have had a hysterectomy, as the absence of a uterus removes the need for a progestogen to protect the womb lining
3. Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture where other treatments are not suitable

Women who still have their uterus should not take oestrogen-only HRT without progestogen protection. Your prescriber will clarify which HRT formulation type is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Conditions That Rule Out This Treatment

A thorough clinical assessment is essential because Elleste Solo is contraindicated in women who have, or have had:

1. Known or suspected breast cancer, past or present
2. Known or suspected oestrogen-sensitive cancers, including endometrial cancer
3. Undiagnosed, unexplained vaginal bleeding
4. Active or recent venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
5. Known inherited or acquired thrombophilic conditions
6. Active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease such as myocardial infarction or stroke
7. Untreated endometrial hyperplasia
8. Active liver disease, or a history of liver disease where liver function remains abnormal
9. Known hypersensitivity to oestradiol valerate or any excipient in the tablet
10. Porphyria

Where Extra Clinical Caution Is Needed

Certain medical histories require careful clinical weighing of risk and benefit, including hypertension, obesity, smoking, a family history of breast cancer, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, gallbladder disease, migraine with aura, and endometriosis in women who have not had a hysterectomy. Disclosure of all relevant medical history during consultation is essential for safe prescribing.

A clinical consultation is not a formality. It is the mechanism through which a registered prescriber gathers the information needed to make a safe, informed decision about whether Elleste Solo is appropriate for you. Receiving a prescription is a possible outcome of that consultation, not a guaranteed one.

When you complete a consultation at Pharmacy Planet, you will be asked to provide a thorough account of your symptoms, your full medical history, details of any medicines you currently take, and relevant family history. Our prescribers review every submission in full. Where the information provided does not give them sufficient clinical confidence to prescribe safely, they will contact you to gather additional detail or recommend a face-to-face appointment.

For oestrogen-only HRT specifically, the prescriber will want to confirm that you have had a hysterectomy, or that there is a clear clinical rationale for prescribing oestrogen without progestogen. This is a standard clinical safety step and not a barrier to treatment.

If a prescription is issued, it will come with clinical guidance on what to expect in the first few weeks and instructions for your first follow-up review. HRT is an ongoing therapy that requires periodic reassessment. Most prescribers schedule an initial review at three months and then annually thereafter, with the purpose of evaluating symptom control, monitoring for side effects, and confirming that continued treatment remains clinically appropriate.

Store Elleste Solo tablets at room temperature, below 25°C. Keep them in the original blister packaging, protected from light and moisture. Bathrooms are not suitable storage locations due to humidity and temperature fluctuation. A bedside drawer or medicine cabinet in a cool, dry room is more appropriate.

Always check the expiry date printed on the pack before use. Do not take tablets beyond that date. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. If you have unused or expired tablets, return them to a community pharmacy for safe disposal through the Pharmacy Waste scheme. Do not place unused medicines in household recycling or flush them down the sink, as these routes contribute to environmental oestrogen contamination.

Choosing the right HRT is a clinical decision, not a one-size-fits-all choice. Delivery route, oestrogen type, progestogen class, and bleed preference all shape which preparation is most appropriate for any individual woman. The tables below group products by formulation type so that like is compared with like, helping you understand how each option differs from others in its class before you speak with a prescriber.

Oral Tablets

The table below compares commonly prescribed oral HRT tablets, grouped by regimen type. All oral preparations undergo hepatic first-pass metabolism, which is associated with a higher venous thromboembolism risk than transdermal alternatives.

Pharmacy Planet is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and operates under the oversight of a qualified superintendent pharmacist. Every prescription issued through our platform is reviewed by a registered prescriber who bases their decision on clinical evidence, the individual patient's medical history, and current UK clinical guidance, not on commercial considerations.

We take oestrogen-only HRT seriously. The prescribers working with Pharmacy Planet understand that women who have had a hysterectomy, or those managing premature ovarian insufficiency, often face particular challenges in accessing timely, appropriate HRT. Our service is built to make that access easier without compromising the clinical rigour that safe prescribing demands.

Our consultations are confidential, conducted by qualified healthcare professionals, and designed to be completed at a time and place that suits you. If you would like to find out whether Elleste Solo may be clinically appropriate for your situation, you can begin a consultation using the link on this page.

1. Elleste Solo 1mg Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Viatris UK Healthcare Ltd. Available at: www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed June 2025.
2. NHS. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt. Accessed June 2025.
3. NICE. Menopause: diagnosis and management. NG23. Updated December 2019. Available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23. Accessed June 2025.
4. British National Formulary (BNF). Estradiol (oestradiol). Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2025.
5. MHRA. Hormone-replacement therapy: updated advice. Drug Safety Update, vol 12 issue 11, June 2019. Available at: www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update. Accessed June 2025.
6. British Menopause Society. Recommendations on HRT – types and routes of administration. Available at: thebms.org.uk. Accessed June 2025.
7. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Type and timing of menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk. Lancet 2019; 394(10204):1159–1168.