Conjugated Oestrogens

What are conjugated oestrogens

Conjugated oestrogens are a type of hormone replacement therapy (or HRT) that’s used to ease and manage symptoms of menopause. It can help relieve symptoms like hot flushes, and help keep your bones strong to reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

How do conjugated oestrogens work?

As you get older, the amount of oestrogen produced by your body starts to fluctuate and decrease. This change in your hormone levels can cause symptoms like hot flushes, brain fog, and mood swings – and even lead to health problems like osteoporosis. Conjugated oestrogens help to ‘top-up’ your oestrogen levels, which can help ease the symptoms of menopause.^[1]

Who can take conjugated oestrogens?

Conjugated oestrogens are typically only prescribed to people that have had a hysterectomy. But if your womb is ‘intact’, you may still be prescribed conjugated oestrogens alongside a second tablet containing a hormone known as a progestin. You’ll take this additional tablet 12-14 days a month alongside conjugated oestrogens.

This is because taking oestrogen can cause your uterine lining to thicken, which can increase your risk of uterine cancer. The progestogen helps ‘balance’ the oestrogen, protecting your uterine lining and keeping it thin.^[2]

Conjugated oestrogens can also increase your risk of some other health conditions. You shouldn’t take conjugated oestrogens if:

• You have or ever had breast cancer
• You have cancer that’s sensitive to oestrogen
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeds
• You have excessive thickening of the womb lining (called endometrial hyperplasia)
• You have or have ever had a blood clot
• You have a blood clotting disorder
• You have or have ever had liver disease
• You have a blood problem called ‘porphyria’
• You’re pregnant or beast feeding

What doses do conjugated oestrogens come in?

Conjugated oestrogen tablets come in three doses: 0.3mg, 0.625 mg, and the highest dose contains 1.25 mg of oestrogen. You’ll be prescribed the lowest dose that manages your symptoms for as short a time as possible, to minimise the risk of any side effects.

How to take conjugated oestrogens

You’ll take your conjugated oestrogen tablet once a day, around the same time each day.

How you start taking conjugated oestrogens will depend on whether you’ve used another type of HRT previously or not. If you aren’t taking any HRT (or you’re taking HRT that doesn’t give you a monthly bleed), you can start taking conjugated oestrogens at any time.

If you’re swapping from a type of HRT that gives you a monthly bleed to conjugated oestrogens, start taking conjugated oestrogens the day after you finish the last course of your previous HRT.

You’ll take conjugated oestrogens continuously, with no tablet-free days. When you finish one pack of tablets, start the next pack the following day.

How long does it take for conjugated oestrogens to work?

How long it takes for HRT to work can vary person to person. But as a rule of thumb, it typically takes around three months before you start feeling its effects. The benefits of HRT can continue to improve over several years, too.^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake taking conjugated oestrogens?

If you accidentally take too many conjugated oestrogen tablets, you may feel nauseous, experience breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain and drowsiness or fatigue. If your womb is intact, you could also have a short vaginal bleed – but it’s unlikely to cause any serious issues. If you have any questions or concerns, speak to your clinician.

If you forget to take your tablet, you can take it as soon as you remember (as long as it’s not almost time for your next dose). Never take two doses in quick succession to make up for a missed dose. If you haven’t had a hysterectomy, you may also have a short vaginal bleed.