Evorel Conti

Evorel Conti patches are a treatment for women who still have their womb and have gone through menopause. This means you have not had a period naturally within the last 12 months. This treatment is known as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. 

Evorel Conti patches contain 2 hormones which decline naturally during and after menopause, called oestrogen (estradiol) and progestogen (norethisterone). These artificial versions of the hormones act like the natural hormones that are declining. Evorel Conti patches treat menopausal symptoms, providing relief from menopausal symptoms.

What is combined HRT?

Combined HRT means taking progestogen and oestrogen every day, without a break. Oestrogen is given to relieve symptoms, whilst progestogen is given to replace progesterone, for women who have a womb, in order to protect the womb. 

Oestrogen can cause the lining of your womb to get thicker. If you do not shed this, it can increase the risk of some female cancers. Progestogen is given with oestrogen to stop the lining of your womb from getting thicker, which lowers your risk of cancer and other problems that can be caused by taking oestrogen alone. 

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Evorel Conti patches are a type of HRT that contain 2 active ingredients, which are artificial versions of the hormones progestogen and oestrogen. These replace the hormones which decline naturally during menopause. Evorel Conti patches can stop symptoms or make them easier to manage. The patches work when applied directly to the skin. They are worn all the time and should be changed twice weekly. 

Common menopause symptoms that Evorel conti can help with include:

• hot flushes
• vaginal dryness or discomfort
• pain during sex
• night sweats
• mood swings

These symptoms are caused by a change in oestrogen levels. As you keep Evorel Conti patches on all the time, oestrogen and progestogen will slowly and continuously be released into your body to manage symptoms. 

How long does it take for Evorel Conti to work?

As with any HRT, it can take a few weeks to feel the benefits of Evorel Conti patches. You should start to see your symptoms improving or going away after a few weeks and you will get the best effect after 2 to 3 months of using them. 

Evorel Conti dosage

Evorel Conti patches are worn all the time and should only be taken off to change the patch, which is twice a week. Each patch contains 3.2mg of oestrogen and 11.2mg of progestogen. This is enough to last for a few days and will slowly pass through the patch, into your skin. 

How effective is Evorel Conti?

Evorel Conti patches are an effective treatment for menopause symptoms. A study found that patches work better to control symptoms over other HRT treatments, such as tablets. 

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Evorel Conti patches are a sticky patch that should be applied directly on the skin. They should be applied below the waist, on the bottom or hip. Never put a patch near your breasts. Evorel Conti patches should be changed twice a week, with no break. You must change your patch on the same 2 days every week, such as Monday and Thursday. 

How and where to apply the patch

Evorel Conti patches should be applied below the waist, onto clean, dry skin. You can put your patch on your bottom or hip. You should never apply a patch near your breasts. To apply the patch, take it out of the protective sleeve and remove the film which is placed over the sticky side. Stick the patch onto your chosen area of skin. 

You can get the patch wet. If it falls off, apply another patch but keep the days you change your patches the same. One patch should be worn for 4 days, and the other for 3 days. Never use 2 patches at once. 

How often should I use Evorel Conti?

Evorel Conti patches are a continuous HRT treatment, meaning they should be used all the time, without a break. If you forget a patch, apply it as soon as you remember. If you stop using Evorel Conti or forget a patch, you might get bleeding or spotting, like a period. 

How long do I use Evorel Conti for?

You should use Evorel Conti for as long as your doctor has told you to. You might use HRT for years. If you want to stop using Evorel Conti, speak to your doctor. 

Can you cut Evorel Conti patches in half?

No, you should not cut your patches in half. This means you will not get the full amount of hormones that you need. This could cause side effects or make your symptoms worse. 

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You can buy Evorel Conti patches online from trusted sellers who can prescribe HRT, such as Superdrug Online Doctor. These can be delivered directly to your home. You can also see your GP, who may prescribe Evorel Conti patches for you.

Can I buy Evorel Conti online? 

You can buy Evorel Conti patches online from just £45 with Superdrug Online Doctor, with discreet delivery straight to your door. All you have to do is complete a short online questionnaire about your health, and our doctors can prescribe Evorel Conti patches if it is safe and appropriate for you. All orders are delivered in discreet packaging, and our doctors can provide free expert advice if you have any questions about Evorel Conti patches.

Can I get Evorel Conti on the NHS?

Yes, Evorel Conti patches are prescribed on the NHS. You must see your GP to be prescribed with Evorel Conti on the NHS.

Can I get Evorel Conti over the counter?

No, you cannot get HRT medication over the counter, as it contains hormones which should only be used to treat menopause symptoms. You need the medication prescribed to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you to take. 

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Evorel Conti patches can cause some side effects, which should go away or get better after a few weeks of treatment.

The most common side effects include:

• skin irritation where the patch is applied 
• difficulty sleeping
• headaches
• irregular bleeding, sometimes after having sex
• weight gain
• discharge
• tiredness
• anxiety and depression
• nausea (feeling sick)
• diarrhoea
• stomach ache
• pain in your breasts
• allergic reaction
• palpitations

Uncommon side effects include:

• wind
• rash
• vaginal infections, such as thrush
• muscle pain
• swelling in your hands or feet (peripheral oedema)
• itchy skin
• less interest in sex

You can get some other side effects from Evorel Conti patches, but how often these happen are not known.

These include:

• fuller breasts
• dizziness
• gallstones
• bloating
• mood swings

You must stop using Evorel Conti right away and see a doctor if you get:

• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
• a blood clot (can cause difficulty breathing, swelling or redness in your legs, or sudden chest pain)
• migraines that have never happened before or are not normal for you
• a rise in your blood pressure (can cause dizziness, tiredness, or headaches)

You should be aware that using combined HRT may increase your risk of certain diseases. It is essential that you understand these risks, which you can discuss with your doctor. 

The following medical conditions may be more common in those using HRT:

• Breast cancer and ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer (although the risk is lessened if using progesterone as well as oestrogen)
• Stroke and blood clots

Please discuss this with your doctor before starting the treatment. 

Evorel Conti Patches and weight changes

One of the common side effects of Evorel Conti patches is weight gain, however, there is no evidence to show whether this is because of the patches or due to menopause. Many women put on weight during menopause without taking HRT, which can be caused by a change in hormone levels. To treat this, exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Losing weight is not common whilst using Evorel Conti. If your weight is dropping unintentionally, speak to your doctor. 

Evorel Conti bleeding

Evorel Conti can cause vaginal bleeding in some women. Most women do not get a period at all whilst using Evorel Conti. When you first start using Evorel Conti, you may get breakthrough bleeding for the first few weeks or months. This should go away once your body gets used to the treatment. If you continue bleeding for more than 6 months or get heavy bleeding, speak to your doctor. 

What to do if you get Evorel Conti side effects

If you get any side effects from Evorel Conti, you must speak to your doctor for an assessment. 

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Evorel Conti will not be the right HRT treatment for everyone. Some medications and conditions can interact with Evorel Conti patches, meaning they are less effective, or potentially unsafe. Our online medical questionnaire is reviewed by our doctors to make sure Evorel Conti is safe for you to use. 

Contraindications

Evorel Conti is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 or if you are pregnant.

You should also not use Evorel Conti if you have:

• or have ever had, breast or other cancers that are sensitive to oestrogen
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• an allergy to anything in Evorel Conti patches
• blood clots
• blood problems
• liver disease
• blocked arteries
• endometrial hyperplasia, which is a thickening of the lining of the womb, or endometrial cancer
• had your womb removed 
• heart problems
• porphyria

If you are not sure about the above, speak to your doctor. 

There are some conditions that mean you may still be able to use Evorel Conti, but your doctor should see you more often to check for any side effects.

These include:

• any problem cause by a growth of the lining of the womb e.g. fibroids, endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia
• breast problems or a family history of breast cancer
• thyroid problems
• liver disorders
• fluid retention
• asthma
• epilepsy
• migraines or severe headaches
• diabetes
• gallstones
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• otosclerosis, a disease affecting hearing
• triglycerides, high levels of fat in your blood 
• increased risk of blood clots, or family members who have had blood clots

Medications that interact with Evorel Conti

Some medications cannot be taken with Evorel Conti and may stop the patches from working correctly. This could cause bleeding, like a period. If you take any medications, speak to your doctor before taking Evorel Conti.

This especially includes:

• medication for hepatitis C
• medication for epilepsy
• medication for tuberculosis (TB)
• medication for HIV
• St John’s wort
• Bosentan (a medication for high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs)

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Evorel Conti patches are not suitable for everyone. If they are not suitable for you, our doctors may offer a similar HRT treatment. You can take HRT tablets, which are tablets containing progesterone or oestrogen, or both. Some women prefer to use topical HRT, which is applied directly into your vagina. If you still have a period, you may need to take cyclical HRT, which is oestrogen and progesterone that are taken at different times in your monthly cycle.

Superdrug offer some HRT alternatives, such as:

• Elleste Duet (Conti) tablets (a continuous combined HRT tablet)
• Vagifem (a topical treatment)
• Estriol (a topical treatment)
• Estradot and Utrogestan (a patch that contains oestrogen and a capsule that contains progesterone)
• Evorel Sequi (2 different patches applied at different times in your monthly cycle)

What’s the difference between Evorel Conti and Evorel Sequi?

Evorel Conti is used for women who no longer have a period and is taken continuously. Evorel Sequi are also HRT patches but contain 2 different types of patches. One patch contains oestrogen, and the other patch contains oestrogen and progestogen. You will use the oestrogen patches for the first 2 weeks of your monthly cycle and then the combined patches for the second half of your monthly cycle. Evorel Sequi is better for women who have irregular periods, as it can cause a monthly bleed. 

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A comparison of transdermal and oral HRT for menopausal symptom control (2006) PubMed (accessed 04 October 2021) 

Evorel Conti (2020) EMC (accessed 04 October 2021)

Evorel Sequi (2020) EMC (accessed 04 October 2021)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (2019) NHS (accessed 04 October 2021)

Menopause (2018) NHS (accessed 04 October 2021)

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