Activelle is a safe hormone replacement pill that helps to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Symptoms of menopause are caused by the decrease in the number of female hormones, estrogen and progesterone in the body resulting from the end of menstruation.

Activelle is suitable for women who still have uterus and whose natural menstrual period has elapsed for about a year. This hormone replacement medicine helps balance hormonal levels and alleviates physical symptoms.

What’s on this page?

How does Activelle help to alleviate the symptoms?

On average, menopause in women starts at about the age of 52, but there is a large variation in the age group. In many women, menopausal symptoms cause a significant decline in quality of life. Symptoms include, for example, hot flushes, abundant night sweats and sleeping problems, urinary incontinence, joint pains and mucous membrane dryness that can lead to problems with sex life. Menopause may also increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Activelle is a hormone replacement containing two female hormones, estrogen and progestin. These hormones remedy the deficiency of them in the body, thus relieving the symptoms of menopause.

How does it work?

Active ingredients in Activelle are estradiol and norethindrone acetate. They replace the body’s weakened or completely absent natural hormones.

The drug effectively alleviates unpleasant symptoms and has a bone-protective effect that reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Vaginal and bladder mucous membranes improve, preventing urinary tract infections, relieving urinary incontinence and improving sex life.

Activelle also contains progestin, the natural hormone progesterone. In hormone therapies, there is a risk of estrogen-induced uterine mucous membrane thickening that can cause cancer. The herbaceous hormone prevents thickening of the mucous membrane, which is why Activelle’s use does not involve this risk.

Also, Activelle’s use will not cause a return of menstrual cycles if the tablet is taken at the same time every day. Hormones disappear from the body in about 24 hours, so the exact and continuous use of the drug is important to obtain beneficial effects.

Instructions of use

Activelle is in a form of a tablet and it should be taken once a day. It is a very simple and easy form of hormone replacement therapy.

It is good to take the tablet at the same time every day, for example, when you wake up or when you go to sleep. Thus, the hormonal balance remains constant and you can avoid oscillations that may lead to, for example, menstrual spotting.

Side effects

Although hormone replacement therapy has many beneficial effects, it also has some side effects and risks that you should be aware of. Side effects vary from one individual to another. Some of the most common symptoms are:

  • breast tenderness
  • menstrual spotting
  • weight gain
  • stomach ache
  • headache
  • thrush

The most common symptoms, breast tenderness and bleeding usually end in a few months after treatment is continued.

It is important to contact your doctor if you see any signs of blood clots (sore swelling in the foot, chest pain), high blood pressure or a new type of headache.

Read carefully the instructions for use of the medicine and talk to your doctor about other diseases and medications you are currently on before using Activelle.

Is there any disadvantages for the use?

Usually, hormone replacement therapy is not recommended to continue for more than 5 years. They are intended in making the shift to menopause and to counteract the symptoms of reduced hormone reduction. When the body becomes accustomed to reduced hormone status, the symptoms disappear gradually and also the replacement therapy can be stopped. The duration of treatment varies individually according to the strength and duration of the symptoms.

For long-term hormone replacement therapy, there are an elevated risk for breast cancer and the development of blood clots. Also the risk of ovarian cancer increases somewhat. It is good to discuss the risk factors with your doctor before starting treatment.

Termination of treatment

Treatment is recommended only for as long as menopausal symptoms interfere with daily life. If the treatment is extended for a longer period, the dosage is also often reduced to a smaller one. The symptoms relieve slowly and finally stop completely. Many symptoms will be significantly alleviated in 2 to 5 years.

From time to time, you should try to stop the hormone replacement therapy. In a few months, you will be able to find out if the symptoms return. It is adviced that the treatment is continued as continuously and as smoothly as possible. Studies on the best method of discontinuing are so far few, but according to those, stopping gradually or at once should not matter.

Who cannot use Activelle?

Talk to your doctor about starting to use Activelle. Note that it may have side effects If you have experienced some diseases before. Do not use Activelle if:

  • You have a perineal cancer
  • You have or have had breast or ovarian cancer earlier
  • You’ve had blood cloths earlier
  • You have or have had a history of liver disease before
  • You have discharge that is not identified
  • You have a rare disorder of porphyria
  • You are taking medication for HIV or epilepsy

Talk carefully with your doctor if:

  • You have fibroids in your womb
  • You are suffering from endometriosis
  • You smoke
  • You are relatively overweight
  • You have diabetes
  • You’re relatively old
  • You have an increased risk of blood clots