Estradiol Implants

About estradiol implants

This belongs to the group of medicines known as estrogens.

Estradiol is a naturally occurring form of estrogen, one of the female sex hormones. Estradiol is necessary for control of the menstrual cycle.

During the menopause, less and less estrogen is produced. Eventually, this causes the reproductive system to stop altogether. Although the menopause is natural, the changes in estrogen level can give rise to distressing symptoms and problems. Estradiol provides the estrogen that your body has stopped producing. In addition, the loss of estrogen may, in some women, lead to thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) in later life. However, the use of estradiol to treat thinning of the bones is under review and other treatments for osteoporosis are usually tried first.

Estradiol is used as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat symptoms due to the menopause and to prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in post-menopausal women who have had surgery to remove the uterus (womb).

Estradiol is also written as oestradiol, and estrogens as oestrogens. You may notice either spelling in use on packaging.

Before using estradiol implants

Before using this medicine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from liver or gall bladder problems
• if you suffer from migraines , porphyria, asthma or diabetes
• if you have ever suffered from breast cancer, uterine fibroids or endometriosis
• if you have ever suffered from blood clots (sometimes called DVT), high blood pressure, heart attack, or a stroke
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines
• if you have had severe itching or skin rashes during pregnancy

How to use estradiol implants

• Estradiol implants will be inserted by a nurse or doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking or using any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to use whilst you are being treated with estradiol implants.

Benefits of HRT

• There are many benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Replacing the hormones will stop the menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
• HRT can dramatically reduce the development of osteoporosis and the likelihood of broken bones. During the menopause, a type of protein called collagen is lost from the skin. This makes the skin thinner and drier. HRT will slow down the loss of skin elasticity.
• If you are using HRT just for the prevention of osteoporosis and are not suffering from menopausal symptoms you should make an early appointment with your doctor to review your treatment. This is because the use of HRT to treat osteoporosis is under review.
• If you are using HRT to relieve menopausal symptoms you should continue with your usual doctors' appointments and report any changes in your wellbeing and lifestyle, especially those listed in the important section below.

As with all medicines the benefits of HRT should be weighed against the problems that it may cause. Your doctor will discuss these problems with you and how they affect you individually. For short term treatment the benefits of HRT in treating menopausal symptoms may outweigh the problems. If used for a long time the incidence of breast cancer and other adverse effects may increase. Because of this the decision to start HRT needs to be made individually and progress of treatment should be reviewed at least once a year.

Can estradiol implants cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Feeling or being sick, tummy cramps, bloating, weight changes, enlarged or tender breasts, water retention, PMS-type symptoms, skin rashes, patches of discoloured skin, changes in sexual desire, depression, headache, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, mood changes, sensitivity to contact lenses, dizziness or leg cramps.

Important: if you experience any of the following symptoms contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of hospital immediately:

• Sudden or severe chest pain
• Sudden breathlessness or a cough with blood-stained sputum
• Severe pain in the calf of one leg
• An unusual, severe or prolonged headache
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision
• Sudden disturbance of hearing
• Fainting or collapse
• Fitting
• Numbness affecting one side or one part of the body
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, itching, pale faeces and dark urine)

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, that you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist.

How to store estradiol implants

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Do not keep any out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2006   Updated: 08/03/2006