Elleste Solo

Elleste Solo is for post-menopausal women who experience symptoms of the menopause and, when other medicines are unsuitable, used to stop the development of osteoporosis (bone fragility).

Can I get Elleste Solo online?

TThe Online Clinic can prescribe Elleste Solo online if it is safe to do so based on your medical history. Please complete a quick online consultation form to get started. Next day delivery is available.

What is Elleste Solo?

Elleste Solo is one of the hormone replacement therapies (HRT). This HRT contains estradiol hemihydrate, which is an oestrogen (a female hormone).

Symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, mood swings, irregular periods, night sweats, and vaginal problems (such as itching and dryness), are caused by the declining levels of oestrogen secreted by the ovaries. Elleste Solo is used to restore the oestrogen level when these symptoms interfere with your day-to-day activities. This female hormone may also be used to prevent your bones from thinning (osteoporosis) and therefore from fracturing easily.

How to use Elleste Solo

Elleste Solo is supplied as a tablet (doses: 1 mg or 2 mg) or as a skin (transdermal) patch (doses: 40 μg or 80 μg). The dose you are given will be appropriate for your symptoms. The estrodiol either enters your blood via your digestive system when you swallow a tablet or via your skin when you apply a patch.

Tablets

If you have regular periods, the tablets are started on the first bleed day; if you have irregular periods, the tablets may be started at any time. One tablet is swallowed whole each day, preferably at the same time, with a glass of water. Take the tablets in sequence as directed on the foil strip and, when finishing the strip, start another strip the following day.

Patches

If you have regular periods, the patches are started within 5 days of the first bleed day; if you have irregular periods, the patches may be started at any time. The patches should be stuck to clean, dry, undamaged, normal skin below your waist (e.g., buttocks or lower back) and never near the breasts. Remove the patch from the pouch, then remove the smaller back covering over the sticky side, and stick to the chosen skin area. As you flatten the patch with one hand, remove the remaining back covering with the other hand, and press firmly. Change the patch every 3 or 4 days (on the same days each week), using two patches per week. Fold the old patch, place in the empty pack, and dispose of responsibly. The patch will not peel off when bathing and showering if it is firmly stuck on.

Your doctor may switch you to Elleste Solo from another HRT. If you are taking HRT tablets, finish the current HRT pack then start Elleste Solo. When changing to patches, if you are using another HRT medicine that results in a withdrawal bleed, finish the cycle of treatment and start the patches within 5 days of the first bleed day. If you are using another HRT medicine that does not result in a withdrawal bleed, patches are started when convenient to you.

You should know that if you do not have a womb (i.e., you have had hysterectomy), Elleste Solo will be your only HRT medicine and it is unlikely that you will have a regular bleed. If you do have a womb, then your doctor will usually give you an additional treatment (the female hormone, progesterone). When taking both treatments, it is normal to have a period (bleeding) every month; if this bleeding continues to be irregular after a while then speak to your doctor.

Taking too many tablets may give you nausea/vomiting but unlikely anything else. If you forget your tablet and should have been taken less than 12 hours ago – take it – otherwise, discard it and carry on as normal. With the patches, you cannot overdose using one patch at a time. Forgetting to change the patch simply means you must change it when you remember and continue as scheduled. Any delay in tablets or patches may cause bleeding or spotting.

Before you take Elleste Solo, your doctor will require details of your/your family's medical problems, and will want to check your health regularly. At any time, state if any disorders worsen, return or develop, or if surgery is planned.

Who can use Elleste Solo?

Elleste Solo is for postmenopausal women. This HRT is not a contraceptive (precautionary methods are required) and not for pregnant women. Certain conditions will prevent you using Elleste Solo, including allergies to any component of this medicine, breast cancer, oestrogen-sensitive cancer, unexplained bleeding from the vagina, untreated thickening of the lining of the womb, thrombosis (blood clot in a vein) or any other problems associated with blood clotting, and liver disease. Caution is required if you have/have had womb lining growth that is abnormal or outside of the womb (endometriosis), fibroids, increased blood clot risk or oestrogen-sensitive cancer risk, high blood pressure or fluid retention, high fat (triglyceride) concentration in the blood, migraine, epilepsy, diabetes, gallstones, asthma, ear disease (otosclerosis), and systemic lupus erythematosus. Caution is warranted because Elleste Solo could make these conditions worse or increase your risk of developing them; stop using the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you think you may have worsened or developed these conditions.

The bleeds occurring with Elleste Solo may become irregular when other medicines are also taken. Irregular bleeds may occur with medicines for epilepsy, tuberculosis, and HIV, and St John's Wort. Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take – those obtained with and without a prescription. Elleste Solo may also affect you blood test results.

Elleste Solo Side Effects

Women commonly feel sick and get stomach cramps; have headaches, breakthrough bleeds, womb fibroid growth, tender swollen breasts, and swollen legs; and changes in mood, libido, and weight. Less frequently, indigestion, sickness and wind, gallstones or gallbladder problems, vaginal thrush, feel dizzy, raised blood pressure, migraine, and leg cramp are experienced. Rarely, women report scalp hair loss, body/facial hair growth, itch, and rash.

HRT can increase the likelihood of cancer of the endometrium (womb), breast, and ovaries, blood clots (thromboembolism), heart disease, stroke, and memory loss (when treatment is begun after aged 65 years) but the overall risk is small. If you are concerned about these risks, we recommend that you speak to your GP.

Free Consultation for menstrual or menopausal problems

Please complete a consultation form on our website to get started. It only takes a few minutes. Your consultation form will be reviewed by a doctor within an hour of submission.