People also ask
What is Estraderm?
Estraderm MX casts help against menopausal symptoms. This medication is prescribed as hormone replacement therapy (HRT or hormone therapy). The active substance in the patches (estradiol) is absorbed into the blood through the skin and therefore balances the female hormonal balance. This alleviates the symptoms of menopause. Estraderm MX plasters are by prescription only.
How does it work?
The active substance, synthetic 17β-estradiol, is chemically and biologically identical to endogenous human estradiol. It replaces the loss of estrogen production that occurs during menopause and alleviates menopausal symptoms. Estrogens prevent bone loss due to menopause or ovariectomy.
Like all steroid hormones, estrogens exert their metabolic effects intracellularly. In the cells of the effector organs, estrogens interact with a specific receptor, forming a complex that modulates gene transcription and subsequent protein synthesis. These receptors have been identified in various organs such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, vagina, urethra, uterus, breasts, and liver, and in osteoblasts.
From menarche to menopause, estradiol is produced mainly in the ovarian follicles and is the most active estrogen. After menopause, when the ovaries have stopped working, only a small amount of estradiol is produced from the aromatization of androstenedione and to a lesser extent from testosterone by the aromatase enzyme, giving rise to estrone and estradiol, respectively. Estrone is then transformed into estradiol by the enzyme 17? -Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Both enzymes prevail in fat, liver, and muscle tissue.
In many women, cessation of ovarian estradiol production causes vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), sleep disturbances, and progressive atrophy of the urogenital tract, which can be largely eliminated by HRT.
What are the benefits of taking it?
Estraderm Matrix is a Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT) that contains the female hormone of estrogen type. Estraderm Matrix is used in postmenopausal women.
Estraderm Matrix is used to:
- Relief of symptoms that appear at menopause
- During menopause, the amount of estrogen produced by the woman's body decreases. This can cause symptoms such as sudden waves of heat on the face, neck, and chest (hot flashes). Estraderm Matrix relieves these symptoms after menopause. You will only be prescribed Estraderm Matrix if your symptoms seriously hinder your daily life.
How do I use it and its dosage?
Always use this medication to reduce estrogen in females exactly as your doctor has told you unless your doctor has given you different ones. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have doubts.
Your doctor will try to prescribe the lowest dose to treat your symptom for the shortest possible time. Talk to your doctor if you think this dose is too strong or insufficient.
Estraderm Matrix will be applied twice a week, that is, the patch should be changed every 3 or 4 days. Estraderm Matrix can be administered both continuously and cyclically:
- Continuous administration: uninterrupted application, using 2 weekly patches.
- Cyclic administration: 3 weeks treatment (2 weekly patches) followed by one week without medication.
If your uterus has not been removed (hysterectomy), your doctor will probably prescribe tablets that contain another hormone, progesterone, to take for a period of time every month. Your doctor will explain how to take these tablets. After you finish taking the progesterone tablets each month, you may have vaginal bleeding.
Follow your doctor's instructions on how to use the patches. If you think that the action of Estraderm Matrix is too strong or weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
You must wear the patch at all times. Change it every 3 or 4 days.
Each patch of this female estrogen treatment medication is sealed in a protective envelope and contains the active substance in an adhesive layer that attaches directly to the skin. This adhesive layer is covered by a transparent sheet and larger than the patch, divided into two parts by a slit. The clear sheet (tear sheet) will be removed before applying the patch.
Open the envelope by the notch (do not use scissors to avoid damaging the patch) and remove the patch. Make sure you don't have the old patch before applying the new patch.
Remove the patch from the envelope, remove the smallest part of the tear-off sheet first, then the largest and discard. Be careful not to touch the adhesive and remember that the patch should not bend so that the adhesive faces do not come into contact.
Immediately apply the patch to an area below the waist (abdomen, buttocks, or lower back) and press it for 10-20 seconds. Make sure it is well glued especially at the edges. Do not check the adherence of the patch by pulling it once applied.
Choose an area where few wrinkles are formed by movement and little rubbing against clothing, otherwise, the patch will come off. The skin of the selected area must be dry and free of fat (since otherwise, the patch will not stick), therefore do not use creams, lotions or other cosmetics at the point where the patch is applied; Also avoid areas where there is too much hair and where the skin has some type of alteration or irritation.
Side effects & precautions
Like all medicines, Estraderm Matrix can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects.
The following diseases are seen more frequently in women treated with HRT compared to women not treated with HRT:
- breast cancer
- abnormal growth of the internal wall of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia) or cancer of the internal wall of the uterus (endometrial cancer)
- ovarian cancer
- blood clots in veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
- heart disease
- stroke
- probable memory loss if HRT is started from 65 years
Some side effects are very frequent: (These side effects can affect at least 1 in 10 patients)
- Tension, pain or swelling in the breasts
- Sudden bleeding
- Itching under the patch, pain, and redness of the skin after removing the patch (signs of an application site reaction include bleeding, bruising, burning, discomfort, dryness, boils, edema, erythema, inflammation, irritation, pain, tiny lumps, rash, skin discoloration, skin pigmentation, swelling, hives, and vesicles).
Some side effects are frequent: (These side effects can affect between 1 and 10 of every 100 patients)
- Headache
- Sickness
- Swelling or heaviness in the abdomen
- Pain (eg pain in the extremities, abdominal pain, back pain)
Other side effects are rare. (These side effects can affect between 1 and 10 of every 1,000 patients)
- Lump or mass in the chest (possible signs of breast cancer)
Some side effects are rare: (These side effects can affect 1 to 10 out of 10,000 patients)
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the lower legs, ankles, fingers, or abdomen due to fluid retention
- Weight variations
Some side effects are very rare: (They can affect less than 1 in 10,000 patients)
- Increased blood pressure
- Itching, generalized rash and inflammation of the skin
- Change in skin coloration
Some side effects are of unknown frequency: (Cannot be estimated with the available data)
- Rapid mood swings (eg depression, nervousness, etc.)
- Libido changes
- Migraine
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Gallbladder problems (tendency to form stones)
- Hair loss
- Darkening of the skin, particularly on the face or abdomen (chloasma)
- Heavy irregular vaginal bleeding or constant spotting (possible signs of endometrial hyperplasia)
- Fibroids (benign growths in the uterus)
- Urticaria
- Lumpy chest (non-carcinogenic)
- Discharge from the breasts
- Menstrual cramps
Buying Estraderm online.
You can buy Estraderm MX Patches online through one of the UK’s leading online pharmacies, Pharmacy Planet. It's easy and convenient. You will need to fill out a short assessment and the item will be delivered directly to your door. If you want to buy Estraderm MX Patches online, use Pharmacy Planet, a UK pharmacy you can trust.