Climagest

Climagest is for post-menopausal women who have menopausal symptoms that considerably affect daily life, and who have a womb (uterus) and have not had a naturally occurring period for 6 months.

Can I get Climagest Online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Climagest or another HRT product if they are suitable for you based on your medical history. Please complete a consultation form to begin the process. The consultation questionnaire will only take a few minutes to complete.

What is Climagest?

Climagest is classified as a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This therapy is made up of two female hormones – an oestrogen called oestradiol valerate and a progestogen called norethisterone (you may notice the two types of tablet). Before the menopause, both are secreted by the ovaries. Oestradiol valerate is exactly like your natural oestrogen while norethisterone is a synthetic progesterone.

The menopause is a naturally occurring process in women of 45 to 55 years of age, or in women who have had surgical removal of the ovaries. The subsequent decrease in oestrogen production can cause ‘hot flashes’, irritability, sleeping problems, depression, urination, vaginal dryness, and discomfort with intercourse. The progesterone is taken because there is a risk of unnatural growth and cancer of the womb lining in women with a womb taking oestrogen only.

How to use Climagest

Climagest is a continuous sequential HRT. It comprises two female hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. The oestrogen is taken continuously, while progestogen is taken for 12 days each month. You start taking Climagest according to your circumstances; your doctor will advise you but generally:

• If you don’t take HRT but still have periods, you take Climagest on the day your bleed starts
• If you are switching from a sequential or cyclic HRT, you finish the current treatment cycle and then immediately take Climagest
• If you are switching from a continuous combined HRT, you may start taking Climagest at your convenience if you no longer have periods but must take Climagest on the day your bleed starts if you still have periods

Climagest is provided in a calendar pack. One tablet is taken whole with water at approximately the same time every day in the numbered sequence. When you have finished one calendar pack, begin the new pack the next day regardless of bleeding or not. You will be started on the lowest dose that provides you with symptom relief, and take it only as long as necessary. Tell your doctor immediately if you take too many tablets or if you have breakthrough bleeding or blood ‘spotting’ when you stop this medicine. If you forget to take Climagest and do not remember within 12 hours, discard that tablet and continue as scheduled.

Your doctor will want information of your and your family’s medical histories and will want to regularly examine you.

Who can use Climagest?

Climagest is for postmenopausal women who have not had hysterectomy (i.e., they have a womb) and have stopped menstruating for over 6 months. This HRT is not a protection against pregnancy (under 12 months since a period or under aged 50, then you may need to use contraception) and you must stop taking it if you become pregnant.

You will not be suitable for Climagest therapy if you have/have had breast cancer or an oestrogen-sensitive cancer, vaginal bleeding of unknown cause, untreated growth of the womb lining, problems with blood clotting or from blood clots (e.g., heart attack), liver or kidney disease, allergies to Climagest ingredients, or are pregnant. Other cautionary circumstances include increased risk of womb lining growth or blood clots, womb fibroids, high blood pressure, angioedema (inherited), migraine, epilepsy, diabetes, gallstones, high blood triglyceride levels, asthma, fluid retention, underactive thyroid glands or systemic lupus erythematosus. If you are due to have surgery, tell the doctor.

All your current medicines should be disclosed to your doctor, as they may cause you to have irregular bleeds. Specifically, mention agents for epilepsy, HIV, and tuberculosis, and those containing St John’s Wort. If you have a blood test, mention that you are taking Climagest.

Climagest Side Effects

Bleeding or blood ‘spotting’ may occur from 3 to 6 months after starting Climagest. If such bleeding occurs after 6 months on Climagest or after stopping it, talk to your doctor. You should be aware of the increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial (womb) cancer, ovarian cancer, memory loss (if elderly), and of venous blood clots (thrombosis) after 5 years of taking HRT. There is also a small increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke if you take HRT.

See your doctor as soon as possible if you develop painful periods, migraine/headaches, dizziness, chest pains, painful swollen/red legs, breathing difficulties, and yellowy skin or whites of eyes. Other possible side effects include breast tenderness, changes in libido, fibroids, heart palpitations, painful veins and extremities, nausea, vomiting, digestive disturbances, fluid retention, weight gain, hair loss, and skin itching/rash.

Free Consultation for menstrual or menopausal problems

Please complete our free online consultation to check if you are suitable for Climagest or another HRT product.