Femoston Conti is known as a combined tablet, as it contains 2 active ingredients, which are the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. During and after menopause, these 2 hormones decrease naturally in women, causing menopause symptoms. Femoston Conti is a continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is continuous, as you get both oestrogen and progestogen every day, for as long as needed, to treat menopause symptoms.

Femoston Conti works due to the active ingredients in the tablets which are hormones. The oestrogen, which is known as estradiol, replaces the oestrogen lost naturally after menopause. This can help treat menopause symptoms. Progestogen is also given to replace progesterone in the body.

Too much oestrogen can cause the lining of your womb to get thicker. This could cause side effects and increase the risk of some female cancers. Progestogen can break down the lining of your womb, decreasing this risk. This is why women who still have a womb should take combined HRT.

Common menopause symptoms and how Femoston Conti treats them

Femoston Conti can help to treat common menopause symptoms, such as:

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

Menopause symptoms are caused by a drop in your oestrogen levels. When you take Femoston Conti, your missing oestrogen will be replaced, improving your symptoms.

Femoston Conti dosages

Femoston Conti comes in 2 different dosages which are 1mg/5mg and 0.5mg/2.5mg. When using HRT, your doctor will prescribe you the lowest dose you need to control your symptoms.

Femoston Conti 1mg/5mg

Femoston Conti 1mg/5mg contains 1mg of the active ingredient oestrogen and 5mg of the active ingredient progestogen. It is used if the 0.5mg/2.5mg tablets are not enough to control your menopause symptoms, or you have been on a higher dose of HRT before. One tablet is taken at the same time every day, with water.

Femoston Conti 0.5mg/2.5mg

Femoston Conti 0.5mg/2.5mg contains 0.5mg of oestrogen and 2.5mg of progestogen. This tablet will usually be prescribed first to treat your menopause symptoms. If it does not work, you may be prescribed with the higher dose tablets. The tablet should be taken once every day, with or without food and with a glass of water. It is best to take it at the same time every day.

How long does it take for Femoston Conti to work?

Any HRT can take a few weeks to a few months to work properly, as your body needs to get used to the medication. You should start to feel the benefit of taking Femoston Conti within a few weeks of treatment, but it may take 2 or 3 months to get the best effect.

How effective is Femoston Conti?

Femoston Conti is an effective treatment for menopause, especially when compared to taking no HRT at all. A study in 2008 showed that taking combined HRT tablets for 1 year can decrease symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats.

Femoston Conti should only be used if it has been over a year since your last natural period. You should swallow 1 tablet a day, with water. It can be taken with or without food. Femoston Conti is best taken at the same time every day, as this helps you to remember to take it. The tablets can be used for as long as needed.

How often should I use Femoston Conti?

Femoston Conti should be used every day, as this helps to treat your menopause symptoms. If you miss a day, continue with your treatment as soon as you remember. This may cause some breakthrough bleeding, similar to a period.

How long do I use Femoston Conti for?

You can use Femoston Conti for as long as you need to control your menopause symptoms. If it is not working, or you want to stop taking HRT, speak to your doctor first.

Femoston Conti must be prescribed to you, so should be bought online through a trusted and regulated seller, such as Superdrug Online Doctor. This treatment is also available on the NHS but needs to be prescribed by your GP. You cannot get Femoston Conti over the counter.

Can I buy Femoston Conti online?

Superdrug Online Doctor prescribes and sells Femoston Conti. Simply complete an online questionnaire which one of our doctors can review. If the treatment is suitable and safe for you, our doctors can then prescribe the tablets. You can buy Femoston Conti through our website, which can be delivered directly to your front door or collected at your local Superdrug store.

Can I get Femoston Conti over the counter?

No, all HRT requires you to have a prescription from a doctor before you can get it.

Can I get Femoston Conti on the NHS?

Yes, Femoston Conti is available on the NHS, or you may be prescribed a similar medication with a different brand name. You must see your GP to get HRT.

Femoston Conti can have some side effects but not everybody will get them. Most side effects will go away once you have taken the tablets for a few months and your body is used to the medication.

Very common side effects include:

• back pain
• painful or tender breasts
• headaches
• pain in your stomach

Common side effects include:

• migraine, if you get a sudden migraine that is not normal for you, stop taking Femoston Conti straight away and speak to your doctor
• irregular or heavy bleeding
• vaginal discharge
• weight gain
• vaginal thrush
• a change in mood
• dizziness
• nausea (feeling sick)
• allergic skin reaction, such as a rash
• pain in your pelvis
• feeling tired, weak, or generally unwell
• peripheral oedema, which is swelling in your fingers, ankles, and feet

Uncommon side effects include:

• change in sex drive
• weight loss
• swelling in your breasts
• allergic asthma
• blood clots, if you get symptoms such as sudden chest pain and swelling or redness in the legs, call 999 or go to A&E straight away
• high blood pressure
• varicose veins
• indigestion
• liver disorders, if you get yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice), stop taking Femoston Conti and go to A&E
• gallbladder disease
• pre-menstrual syndrome, or PMS

Rare side effects include:

• leg cramps
• discolouration of the skin
• vascular purpura, which is purplish spots or patches on your skin
• angioedema, which is swelling around your throat and face which could cause breathing difficulties
• stroke
• heart attack
• change in the surface of your eyes which may make it difficult to put in contact lenses
• brain tumour
• haemolytic anaemia, which is an illness caused by a loss of red blood cells
• a serious rise in blood pressure, which can cause tiredness, headache, and dizziness

If you get any of these rare side effects, speak to your doctor, visit A&E, or call 999 straight away.

Femoston Conti and weight change

Femoston Conti does list weight changes as one of its side effects. However, there is not enough evidence to show whether HRT or menopause directly causes this. Many women going through menopause gain or lose weight because of the change in hormones. Eating well and exercising regularly can reduce the chances of weight changes. If you get sudden weight changes that worry you, speak to your doctor.

Femoston Conti bleeding

Femoston Conti can cause breakthrough or irregular bleeding, like a period. This usually happens during the first 3 to 6 months of taking the tablets, whilst your body gets used to them. Speak with your doctor if you still get bleeding after 6 months or it carries on after you stop using HRT.

What to do if you get Femoston Conti side effects

If you get any side effects, see if these go away once your body is used to the treatment. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If they do not go away or become difficult to manage, speak to your doctor. If you get any serious or rare side effects, speak to your doctor straight away or go to A&E.

Femoston Conti is not suitable for every woman going through menopause. If you have a certain condition or take some medications, this can interact with Femoston Conti and make it less effective, or unsafe. If you get Femoston Conti from Superdrug Online Doctor, our doctors will review your medical questionnaire and make sure it is safe for you to take.

Contraindications

You should not take Femoston Conti if you:

• are under 18
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in the tablets
• have, or have ever had, breast cancer
• do not have a womb
• have any cancer that is sensitive to oestrogen, such as cancer of the lining of your womb
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have porphyria, which is a rare blood problem
• have recently had a blood clot, blood clotting disorder, or a disease caused by a blood clot
• have, or have ever had, liver disease
• still have a period
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have endometrial hyperplasia, which is an excessive thickening of the lining of your womb
• are taking other HRT medication
• have an intolerance to sugars, as the tablets contain lactose

Some conditions may get worse or come back if you start using Femoston Conti. This means you should see your doctor more often. Speak to your doctor if you have:

• fluid retention caused by heart or kidney problems
• epilepsy
• asthma
• diabetes
• gallstone
• high blood pressure
• brain tumour
• fibroids (small growths) inside your womb
• endometriosis, which is a growth of womb lining outside your womb
• a risk of blood clots
• a liver disorder
• triglycerides, which is a high level of fat in your blood
• otosclerosis, which is a hearing problem
• family history of cancers that are sensitive to oestrogen
• severe headaches or migraines
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a disease of the immune system

Medications that interact with Femoston Conti

There are some medications that interact with Femoston Conti, which could cause irregular bleeding. The following medications can cause this:

• medication for HIV treatment
• herbal remedies that contain St John’s wort
• medication for epilepsy
• medication for tuberculosis (TB)

You should speak to your doctor if you take any medications before using Femoston Conti.

Femoston Conti and alcohol

Alcohol does not interact with Femoston Conti but drinking alcohol with HRT could increase the risk of side effects. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about the effects of alcohol and HRT.

There are other HRT alternatives if Femoston Conti is not suitable for you, or you still have a period. HRT patches can be easier to remember than tablets, as they are only changed twice a week. Vaginal gels can also be used for women who get vaginal dryness.

Superdrug Online Doctor have a range of HRT treatments, including:

• Vagifem and Estriol, which are topical vaginal treatments
• Elleste Duet Conti tablets, which are another form of continuous combined HRT
• Estradot and Utrogestan, which are a patch and a capsule that are taken at different points in your monthly cycle, usually for women who still have a period
• Evorel Conti patches, which are continuous combined HRT in the form of patches
• Evorel Sequi patches, which are patches taken at different points in your monthly cycle

Is Femoston Conti the same as Elleste duet conti?

Femoston Conti and Elleste duet conti are both continuous combined HRT medications. They work the same but Elleste duet conti contain a different type of progestogen, known as norethisterone acetate. They also come in different dosages, such as 1mg or 2mg tablets.