GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Evorel (HRT Patches) is a medication used for hormone replacement therapy in women and in the management of menopausal symptoms. '.

If you think Evorel (HRT Patches) is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Evorel Patch

Evorel is a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), used to treat women who have started to show signs of the menopause.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Evorel patient information leaflet.

During a woman’s menopause, natural levels of oestrogen production begin to drop. Evorel contains the female hormone; an oestrogen called estradiol hemihydrate, which works to replenish a woman’s natural levels and offset the effects of menopause.

Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes (of the face, neck and chest), irregular menstrual cycle, night sweats, weight gain, thinning of hair and mood changes.

These symptoms can often disrupt daily life so using HRT medication, such as Evorel, can restore the natural hormone balance.

Evorel HRT Patches

Evorel is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leaflet provided in the medication packet. Evorel comes in a variety of doses and your doctor will aim to prescribe you the lowest one possible to help with your symptoms.

Evorel comes as an adhesive patch which should be worn continuously until it’s time to replace it with a new one. Your Evorel patch should be replaced twice weekly (every 3 to 4 days), which is generally best to do on the same two days of each week (like Monday and Thursday).

If you are currently not using any form of HRT or if you have been using a continuous combined HRT product, you can start to use Evorel on any convenient day.  If you are changing from a cyclic or sequential HRT treatment, you should start using Evorel on the day after you complete your previous cycle.

To apply the patch, make sure your skin is clean and dry and remove the protective backing to reveal the sticky side. Keeping your fingers away from the sticky side, apply the patch to the skin on the lower abdomen, thigh or bottom and press gently for about 10 seconds. Avoid the waistline area as this can be rubbed by clothes, and never apply the patch to your breasts or the area near them. Each time you change your patch, try to change the spot slightly so that the skin does not become irritated.

The patches are designed to withstand normal activities like exercising, showering and bathing so you shouldn’t have to worry about it. However, do make sure to check it after these activities to ensure it’s still in place.

You may have some light or spotted bleeding in the first few weeks, however if it’s heavy or persistent then you should contact your doctor.

Evorel contains the active ingredient of the female hormone, oestrogen. The patches are available in different strengths (25, 50, 75 or 100 micrograms) and your doctor will prescribe you the weakest one possible.

Each patch contains the indicated amount of estradiol (as estradiol hemihydrate).

If you use too much Evorel then remove the patch. This is unlikely due to the way in which it’s used but if you do, then symptoms could include tenderness of the breasts and/or vaginal bleeding. If symptoms persist contact your doctor.

If you forget to change the patch, do it as soon as you remember. No matter what day this happens, go back to changing the newly applied patch on the same days as your original schedule. Never double on a dose to make up for a forgotten one.

Before using Evorel, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not use Evorel if any of the following apply to you:

• If you have ever had breast cancer or are suspected of having it
• If you have cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• If you have excessive thickening of the womb lining
• If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein
• If you have a blood clotting disorder
• If you have ever had a disease caused by blood clotting in the arteries
• If you have ever had a liver disease
• If you have a rare blood problem called porphyria
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medication

Your prescription of Evorel may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply:

• If you’ve ever had fibroids inside the womb
• If you’ve ever had growth of the womb lining outside of your womb
• If you have an increased risk of developing blood clots
• If you have an increased risk of oestrogen-sensitive cancer
• If you have high blood pressure
• If you have a liver disorder
• If you have diabetes
• If you have gallstones
• If you suffer with migraines or severe headaches
• If you have a disease of the immune system that affects many organs
• If you have epilepsy
• If you have asthma
• If you have a disease affecting the eardrum and hearing
• If you have a very high level of fat in your blood
• If you have fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems

Like many medications with active ingredients, Evorel can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following:

• Medicines for epilepsy
• Medicines for tuberculosis
• Medicines for HIV infection
• Herbal remedies contains St John’s Wort
• Other anti-infective medicines

If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Evorel will be the best course of action for you.

Taking HRT medication can increase your chances of excessive thickening of the lining of the womb, cancer of the womb lining, and breast cancer so be sure to pay attention to your body, inspect your breasts regularly and notify your doctor of any changes you notice.

Blood clots are higher in HRT users than in non-users, especially during the first year of taking it. Again, you should keep an eye out for any possible signs of a blood clot and contact your doctor if you notice anything different.

The most common side effects of using Evorel include:

• Irritation of the skin where the patch is applied
• Breast pain
• Rash or feeling itchy
• Feeling dizzy, headache
• Feeling depressed or mood change
• Feeling sick or having stomach pains, diarrhoea
• Breakthrough bleeding, spotting or periods
• Weight gain

If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects.

You can safely buy Evorel online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Evorel HRT patches are the right medication for your medical condition.