Estraderm MX is unique hormone replacement therapy (or HRT for short) that has been developed and is still manufactured and marketed in the United Kingdom by Novartis Pharmaceuticals pharmaceutical company. Available in the form of an adhesive transdermal patch, Estraderm MX is an oestrogen-only HRT available in as much as four different strengths. It is commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women who had their last period at least one year ago.
What’s on this page?
With two applications per week, Estraderm MX can mitigate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause very efficiently, and is also considered to be a second-line treatment for osteoporosis, albeit in higher dosages of 50mg or 75mg.
How does Estraderm MX work?
Estraderm MX is so-called continuous HRT and as such it is commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women. It comes in the form of a patch that contains synthetic oestrogen, namely estradiol. When patch is applied to the skin, the hormone is continuously absorbed into the bloodstream – hence the classification. The absorbed hormone will mimic the functions of oestrogen within the female body, thus supplementing the decreasing levels of this hormone and mitigating the symptoms of menopause.
In addition to this, when used in higher concentrations (marketed as MX50 and MX75), Estraderm can also be used as a second-line treatment for osteoporosis. Women who are especially prone to osteoporosis and bone fragility are women who entered their menopause early one, women who smoke and also those who have a family history of the condition. It is also not that rare for Estraderm MX to be issued to women who have had a long course of steroid therapy, as they are not suitable for other licensed treatments used to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Since Estraderm MX is an oestrogen-only treatment, similarly to, for example, Estradot, it can be safely use without any extra precautions by women who have had their wombs removed. If this is not the case with you, you will also have to take progestogen alongside this medication for roughly a half of each monthly cycle. This is done in order to prevent the sudden an unctonrolled rise in oestrogen which has been known to be able to cause a number of health complications, including severe thickening of the uterine wall that can later on develop into cancer.
Can I buy Estraderm MX online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to buy Estradem MX online, but it is still advised to obtain it the conventional way if it is your first time taking this medication. Later on, when you will be looking to renew your prescription, you will be able to do this without long waiting in line, simply by using your phone or PC.
When you choose an online clinic, you should simply use the website’s functionality to buy the medicine. At this point, you will be presented with the detailed medical questionnaire that the doctor will use in order to gain a better understanding of your medical profile and history. Using this information, the doctor will reassess your suitability for Estraderm MX and if everything checks out, he will issue a prescription and contact the partner pharmacy. Your medication will arrive to the address you provided in a clear and discreet packaging within the time span defined by the online clinic’s company policy and business model.
How to use Estraderm MX?
In order to optimise your results when using Estraderm MX, you should always adhere to the instructions provided by your prescriber. In this way you will be able not only to increase chances of success, but also minimise the risk of any unwanted side effects. The doctor’s instructions should be supplemented by the official patient information leaflet that will provide you with the detailed instruction on how to use this treatment safely and efficiently.
Here we will showcase just some of the most general guidelines when it comes to using Estraderm MX. However, you should keep in mind that what follows is not intended to be used as a substitute for the information obtained from your doctor or patient information leaflet. Instead, it is just a guide that should help you get a better understanding of what you should expect from Estraderm MX.
- Always use exactly as prescribed
- If you are already taking some form of HRT, consult the leaflet or the doctor in order to find out when you can safely begin using Estraderm MX
- Apply the patch to a dry, clean and undamaged are of the skin, ideally on the lower body, buttocks or thighs
- Apply a new patch twice per week, every two or three days
- Ideally, change the patches on the same days each week
- Never put the patch near or on your breasts
- Place the patch on a new site every time you use a new one
- If patch comes off, do not try to put it back in place, instead apply a new patch to different area and continue with the treatment schedule
- If you forget to put a patch on, simply apply it as soon as you remember and continue with the treatment without any additional changes
- You will be able to bathe, swim, exercise and shower while wearing the patch
- In the official patient information leaflet you will find an illustrated set of instructions on how to use this medication
What are the side effects of Estraderm MX?
While many women successfully use this therapy without experiencing any side effects, it is still important to get a clear understanding of what can go wrong prior to commencing the treatment. It is especially important to be able to differentiate between the potentially dangerous side effects that will require you to stop the treatment and seek immediate medical attention and those which are uncomfortable, but not dangerous.
You should immediately stop the treatment if you notice any symptoms indicative of the following:
- Allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, coughing, wheezing, swelling of the face and tongue)
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Yellowing of the skin
- Sudden rise in blood pressure
- Blood clot
- Abdominal pain and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling and redness of the legs
- Sudden migraines (without history of migraines)
- Stroke
Other side effects include:
Frequency of occurrence | Side effects |
Very common (1 in 10 users or more) | Irritation, redness, bleeding or discomfort in the area where the patch has been applied, tenderness of the breasts, unexpected bleeding |
Common (1 in 10 users or less) | Nausea, bloatedness, headaches
|
Uncommon (1 in 100 users) | Breast cancer
|
Rare (1 in 1000 users) | Fluctuations in weight, dizziness, pain in legs, fluid retention in the legs or ankles |
Very rare (1 in 10.000 users) | Changes in skin pigmentation, itches and rashes, jaundice, abnormal liver function test results, blood clots, bruising, varicose veins |
Please keep in mind that this is not a full list of all documented side effects, for a more comprehensive guide, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.