Evorel Conti

What are Evorel Conti patches?

Evorel Conti patches are an effective combined HRT treatment.^[1] They’re suitable for women who haven’t had their period for at least 18 months.

Each patch contains two different hormones, a type of oestrogen called estradiol hemihydrate, and a type of progesterone called norethisterone acetate. The function of these hormones is simple: the oestrogen helps to keep symptoms of the menopause in check, whilst the progesterone reduces your risk of developing cancer of the womb.

How does Evorel Conti work?

Your ovaries start to produce less oestrogen when you go through the menopause, and this oestrogen deficiency causes certain symptoms in the body, such as low mood or anxiety, hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, night sweats and a reduced sex drive.

The oestrogen in combined HRT helps to regulate these symptoms, compensating for the lack of natural oestrogen in the body.

On its own though, oestrogen can cause the womb to keep growing, and if there’s nothing to keep it under control, this may trigger endometrial cancer. The role of the progesterone in Evorel Conti is to stop the womb lining from getting too thick, reducing this cancer risk.

Because Evorel Conti is a continuous combined treatment, the two hormones in it are spread evenly, and are slowly released from the patch into the body all the time.

The oestrogen in combined HRT products like Evorel Conti is a secondary treatment for osteoporosis, also significantly reducing the risk of developing the condition. ^[2] The drop in oestrogen levels in the body during the menopause can also make the bones thinner, and more likely to break. The oestrogen in Evorel Conti makes up the deficit, and helps to stop the condition from developing.

Are Evorel Conti patches the right option for me?

If you haven’t had a period for at least 18 months, Evorel Conti patches may be a suitable HRT treatment for you. Like any other form of HRT though, the patches can have side effects, and if you have certain health conditions, they may not be the right medication for you.

We can advise you on whether they’re a safe and appropriate option as part of your online consultation.

It may be that you’d rather take a tablet than use patches. In which case, combined continuous treatments such as Indivina are oral alternatives to Evorel Conti patches.

If you’ve had a total hysterectomy (where the whole womb including the cervix has been removed) oestrogen only HRT treatments like Estradot patches and Elleste Solo are usually the recommended options.

And if you’re getting menopausal symptoms but are still having your period, sequential (or cyclical) HRT like Evorel Sequi patches or Elleste Duet are normally the way to go.

HRT products can also vary in dosage, so your body’s sensitivity to hormone levels can be a significant factor in which treatments are the right ones for you.

How to use Evorel Conti patches

You should always use Evorel Conti patches as directed by our clinician. They’ll look to treat your symptoms starting with the lowest possible dose for the shortest period of time.

How to start using HRT

If you haven’t been using another form of HRT, you can start using the patches at any time.

If you’re using another type of HRT, the day that you start using Evorel Conti patches is dependent on what specific HRT you’re using. If you’re unsure about this, let our clinician know, and they can help.

If you’re switching to Evorel Conti patches from a HRT treatment that gives you a withdrawal bleed, put an Evorel Conti patch on at the end of a treatment cycle, or one week after you finish using a HRT product.

When to change the patches

The patches need to be changed twice a week, every 3 to 4 days, to ensure that your body gets a consistent amount of hormones. Each patch is made up of enough hormones to last for several days.

Change your patch on the same two days every week. So if you apply your first patch on a Monday, apply a new patch on Thursday and then another patch on the following Monday. And so on.

You should start a new pack of Evorel Conti immediately after finishing one, without taking any breaks between patches. There are combinations of different days written on the pack, and you can mark them on the pack to help you remember.

Where to apply the patch

Apply the patch to a hairless area of skin below the waist. The majority of women choose to wear the patch on the thigh or bottom.

You should not:

• stick the patch on or near your breasts
• apply it over cuts, spots or wherever there is irritated skin
• use cream, moisturiser or talcum powder before applying the patch
• stick the patch on the same area of skin twice in a row
• put the patch under elasticated areas or a tight waistband

The patch can be worn beneath loose clothing. Apply it to clean, dry, cool skin immediately after opening the protective pouch.

How to apply the patch

Using the notches as a guide, tear along two edges of the pouch, and remove the patch. With the protective backing pointing towards you, bend and peel off half of it. Avoid touching the sticky side.

Apply the open half of the patch to your skin. Then remove the backing that remains and press down the rest of the patch. Press the patch with your palm to ensure it’s firmly stuck down.

To remove the patch, peel an edge of the patch away from the skin smoothly. Fold the patch in half, so that the sticky side sticks to itself.

Dispose of the patch in household waste, out of the reach of children and pets. Avoid flushing used patches down the toilet.

What if I forget to change the Evorel Conti patch?

Change the patch as soon as you remember and then stick to your ‘patch change’ routine as normal. You may experience some bleeding and spotting during this time.

Don’t use two patches at the same time to make up for the missed one as this provides no benefits and will only increase your chances of experiencing side effects. It can also present a serious health risk.

If the Evorel Conti patch falls off, what should I do?

The patches are specially designed to stick firmly to the skin but without being difficult to peel off, but day-to-day wear and tear can occasionally lead to issues with the patch’s adhesive.

If the patch falls off, apply a new patch but make sure that you stick to your ‘patch change’ routine. If the patch falls off having had a bath or a shower, you should wait until your skin cools down before applying a new patch. If you need any more patches, just drop our clinician a message.