Evorel

What is Evorel?

Evorel is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women. As women age, they go through a menopausal transition for approximately seven years. In this transition, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decrease, causing problems like hot flashes, vaginal drying and osteoporosis (fragile bones).^[1] By taking Evorel, you can increase oestrogen in the body, preventing symptoms associated with menopause.

How does Evorel work?

Menopause symptoms occur as the levels of the oestrogen hormone decrease. To ease these symptoms, you can take HRT, like Evorel, which increases oestrogen levels.

Evorel contains estradiol, a man-made version of a hormone found naturally in the body. There are three main forms of oestrogen found in the body: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estradiol is the most potent form of oestrogen. ^[2] It binds to oestrogen receptors found in the body, altering gene expression to make more protein. This helps ease menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, helps maintain bone density and decreases night sweats and hot flushes. ^[3]

What doses of Evorel are there?

Evorel is a daily patch worn on the skin. Each patch contains estradiol at different concentrations which can be released in doses of 25µg, 50µg, 75µg, and 100µg. Each pack comes in a box of 8, except for 50µg which is also available in a box of 2 and 24.

Your clinician will typically prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest duration. But if your symptoms still aren’t controlled, the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 100µg a day.

How to use Evorel

Evorel is a patch that’s applied to the body every couple of days. The patches should be applied to a hairless area of skin, which is clean and dry, below the waist. This includes the thighs and buttocks.

Don’t apply the patches near the breast, chest, or on top of any cuts or open skin or in the same area twice in a row. You should also avoid using cream or powder before applying the patch to the skin.

To put the patch on:

• Remove the patch from the pouch.
• Peel off half of the backing to reveal the sticky side.
• Attach half the patch to the skin and peel off the remaining backing.
• Press the patch down with your hand and make sure it’s firmly stuck on.

You can carry on with normal activities such as showering or bathing, but make sure not to scrub the area too hard as this can loosen the patch. You can also swim and do other exercises as usual, but avoid wearing tight clothes over the patch.

Changing your patch:

Your patch must be changed twice a week to receive the same concentration of hormones daily. Change your patch on the same two days every week (for example: every Monday and Thursday). This way one patch is on for three days while the other is on for four days. To help you remember the days, mark them on the pack of the patch. As soon as you finish a pack, continue with the new one. Don’t take any breaks between patches.

To remove a patch:

• Peel off the patch from the skin.
• Fold the patch in half with the sticky sides stuck together.
• Put it in the bin.

The skin you stuck your patch to may still be sticky. This stickiness will go away on its own but you can use oil to remove it if you prefer.

When to start using the patch

You can apply the patch anytime if:

• You have not used HRT before your menopause and no longer have periods;
• Your menstrual cycles are irregular and you’re not pregnant; or:
• You’re changing from another HRT that doesn’t give you withdrawal bleeding.

If you have regular periods and are currently not using HRT, put on the patch within five days of your regular period.

If you’re changing from a different HRT which gives you withdrawal bleeding: put on the patch at the end of the previous treatment cycle or one week after using another HRT product.

If you’re using another type of HRT, when you start Evorel will depend on the type of HRT you’re using. Contact our clinician for more information.

How long does Evorel take to work?

It can take a few weeks to see the full benefits of HRT. During this period, don’t stop taking it – instead continue using it until you see the full effects. However, if after 4-6 months you still feel the same, contact your clinician to discuss what to do next. You may need to use a different HRT or use a higher concentration.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Evorel?

If you forget to change your Evorel patch, change it as soon as you remember and keep your original patch change days.

It’s unlikely you’ll have too much of the hormone in your body. But if you do, you may get the following symptoms:

• tender or painful breasts;
• nausea or being sick;
• vaginal bleeding;
• stomach pain; or:
• bloating.