All medications can have side effects. Whether or not you get any side effects and how much they impact you varies from person to person. Side effects often calm down over a few days. Talk to your doctor if yours do not or they are severely impacting your life.
Seek medical attention urgently if you experience any of the following:
- severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, feeling dizzy, rapid heartbeat, sweating, hives, itching)
- an increase in blood pressure
- whites of your eyes or skin goes yellow (signs of jaundice)
- new migraine-type headaches
- sudden chest pain, swollen legs and difficulty breathing (signs of a blood clot)
Common side effects impact 1 in 10 people and can include the following:
- breast pain, tenderness or swelling
- vaginal bleeding or inflammation
- headaches or new migraines
- nausea or abdominal pain
- weight increase
- low mood
- back pain or leg cramps
Uncommon side effects impact 1 in 100 people:
- bloating
- abnormal hair growth
- acne
- itching/hives
- anxiety
There are also rare and very rare side effects, which affect 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10000 people. These are listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.
Some diseases occur more often in women who are taking HRT compared to women who are not. These include:
- breast cancer
- cancer of the lining of the womb
- ovarian cancer
- blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs
- heart disease and stroke
Attending your regular check-ups and discussing any changes to your body with your doctor is essential.
Is there an increased risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke from taking Kliofem?
Yes, there is a slight increase in the risk of getting a blood clot while taking Kliofem. Between 4 and 7 out of 1000 women in their 50s who are not taking HRT can expect to get a blood clot in a vein. This rises to between 9 and 12 cases for women taking combined HRT such as Kliofem.
For strokes, the risk in women not taking HRT is 8 in 1000. In women who are taking HRT it is 11 in 1000.
Is there an increased risk of getting cancer from taking Kliofem?
There is a small increased risk of getting breast cancer from taking Kliofem. In women aged 50 to 54 who are not taking HRT, the incidence of breast cancer is 13 to 17 in 1000; for those women taking combined HRT, it is 21 in 1000. The increased risk depends on how long you take HRT and reduces after you stop taking it.
There is an even smaller increase in the risk of getting ovarian cancer (which is a much rarer form of cancer). In women aged 50 to 54 who are not taking HRT, the likelihood of ovarian cancer is 2 in 1000; for those women taking combined HRT, this is 3 in 1000.
The risk of getting cancer from taking HRT will depend on different factors in your personal and family medical history. Your doctor can advise you on the benefits and risks of taking HRT.
Does Kliofem cause weight gain?
Women report that taking HRT causes weight gain, and it is listed as a side effect of taking HRT. However, the evidence from medical studies does not support this. Weight gain is often associated with the menopause, and some women find that taking HRT can help maintain a healthy weight.
Does Kilofem cause depression?
Kliofem contains progesterone, and a reported side effect of taking progesterone is low moods. If you think taking Kliofem is making you depressed, talk to your doctor about alternative forms of HRT.
Does Kliofem cause bleeding?
You might experience bleeding when you first start taking Kliofem. This usually stops, but if it continues after 6 months or starts after you have been taking Kliofem for six months, you should see your doctor.
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