About oestrogen tablets, patches, gel and spray - Brand names: Oestrogel, Evorel, Sandrena, Lenzetto, Estradot, Progynova

Oestrogen is used as a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The type of oestrogen most commonly used in HRT is known as estradiol.

It's used to treat symptoms of the menopause. It also helps prevent weakening bones (osteoporosis) which is common after the menopause.

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. It affects anyone who has periods.

The fall in the amount of oestrogen your body produces can cause symptoms including hot flushes, low mood and vaginal dryness or irritation. Taking oestrogen as a form of HRT restores your levels of oestrogen and helps to relieve these symptoms.

Taking oestrogen can thicken your womb lining, which slightly increases the risk of womb cancer. If you still have your womb, you'll need to also take a progestogen medicine to protect your womb, such as Utrogestan (micronised progesterone). Alternatively, you can take a combined medicine that contains both oestrogen and progestogen.

If you've had a hysterectomy to remove your womb you can usually take oestrogen without progestogen.

Oestrogen is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets that you swallow and patches, gels or sprays that you put on your skin.

Brand names include Elleste Solo, Bedol, Progynova and Zumenon tablets, Evorel, Estradot, Estraderm, Femseven and Progynovna patches, Oestrogel and Sandrena gel, and Lenzetto spray.

Other types of oestrogen

This information is about estradiol (oestrogen) tablets, patches, gel and spray. Other types of oestrogen include conjugated oestrogen (brand name Premarin), but this is less commonly used.

There are other HRT medicines that also contain oestrogen. Find out more about:

• vaginal oestrogen, for vaginal dryness and irritation
• sequential combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen), for menopause symptoms if you're still having periods
• continuous combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen), for after your periods have stopped

Key facts

• You take oestrogen tablets or use the gel or spray every day, at the same time each day. If you're using the patches you'll need to change them once or twice a week.
• HRT can take up to 3 months to work fully to improve your symptoms.
• Common side effects include headaches, breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding, but these usually improve in the first few months of treatment.
• If you feel that the HRT you're taking is not helping your symptoms, talk to a doctor. It can take time to find the right type and dose to suit you.
• It's common to take oestrogen for 2 to 5 years, and then try stopping to see if your menopause symptoms have improved. If your symptoms last for longer, your doctor can advise on the benefits and risks of continuing to take it.
• It's important to see your doctor at least once a year for a check-up and to review whether you need to keep taking HRT.