Elleste Duet

Yes, it is possible to switch from Evorel Sequi patches to Ellest Duet tablets, but this should be done under medical supervision to ensure a smooth transition and stable hormone levels. 

Evorel Sequi is a type of sequential HRT patch that delivers estradiol first and then estradiol + norethisterone through the skin. Elleste Duet is a sequential HRT tablet that provides both hormones in a 28-day cycle. Both treatments follow a similar hormonal pattern, which makes switching between them easier. 

As soon as you finish your current Evorel sequi cycle, start the Elleste duet pills the next day. Start with the white oestrogen-only tablet first before moving on to the combined hormone tablets. 

Avoid long gaps between the patches and the tablets and the patches this helps prevent menopause symptoms from returning. 

Since the patches and the tablets follow different dosing, your doctor may feel the need to adjust the strengths.

Most women on Elleste duet can start to notice positive improvements within a few days of using it but the full benefits can take a bit longer to come into effect. 

• Within 2-4 weeks of taking Ellest Duet, hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disturbances start to improve 
• After 1-3 of taking Elleste duet – mood fluctuations, energy levels and vaginal dryness also improve as hormone levels stabilise
• After 3-6 months of Elleste duet use, bone protection and long-term benefits (such as improved muscle tone and better skin elasticity) also gradually develop.

Elleste Duet can sometimes cause weight changes and bloating in the first few weeks of usage. But this isn’t real fat gain; it’s more about water retention. These changes usually settle in a few weeks, and people get back their normal body composure. 

Sometimes the effect of extra oestrogen in the body can cause the body to hold onto more water than normal. This can give the feeling of heavier and puffier, especially around the stomach, breasts or ankles. 

Sometimes there are also temporary weight fluctuations, and some women notice weight changes (1-2kgs) in the first few months as the body adjusts to the hormonal changes. 

Some tips to manage weight changes and bloating whilst on Elleste duet include:

• Staying hydrated – drinking more water actually helps reduce fluid retention as it moves the water outside the body
• Limit salt and processed food, which sometimes worsens bloating 
• Regular light exercise (yoga and walking) can support circulation and reduce puffiness 

The following is an overview of how to handle a situation like missing an Elleste duet pill:

If you remember that you have missed the pill within 12 hours of having taken it, then take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. Afterwards, remember to take your next tablet on time.

If you remember that you have missed your pill 12 hours after you were meant to take it, skip the missed tablet and take the next tablet at the right time. Do not take 2 tablets together to make up for a missed one. 

Sometimes, the effect of a missed tablet includes breakthrough bleeding or spotting in a few days. This is more likely if you miss more than one tablet.

Whether it is suitable to use Elleste Duet after a hysterectomy depends on the type and extent of the hysterectomy.  

For a total hysterectomy (cervix and womb both removed)

• The progesterone component (key ingredient in  Elleste duet drug) is not needed because there is no womb lining to protect
• In these cases, oestrogen-only HRT options can still be suitable 

For a partial hysterectomy (part of the womb or cervix remains)

• Combined HRT options, like Elleste Duet, may still be recommended, contain both oestrogen and progesterone. 
• The progesterone component is still required to protect the womb lining 

If the ovaries were removed alongside the womb

• This will induce a surgical menopause in the body immediately due to the lack of oestrogen produced in the body
• A form of oestrogen-containing HRT (such as Elleste Duet) may be recommended to relieve menopause symptoms and protect bone and heart health. 

Please speak to your physicians and family doctor about HRT options after a hysterectomy to choose the course of treatment that would be best for you. 

Yes, you can drink alcohol whilst taking Elleste duet as there is no direct interaction between the alcohol and the hormones. However, there are a few things to keep in mind while doing so:

• Moderate drinking (occasional or moderate drinking) with a few units per week is safer than heavier and more frequent alcohol consumption. 
• Heavy and frequent drinking can interfere with the hormone’s metabolism in the liver and potentially affect the HRT’s effectiveness or increase its side effects 

Please speak to your healthcare provider if you plan to drink alcohol while taking Elleste duet. They can advise you on safe drinking limits and methods.

Elleste Duet, like most HRT options, can be very safe and effective for many women. Long-term use carries some potential risks that need to be carefully weighed against its benefits. 

The following is an overview of some of these risks:

• Blood clots (such as a Venous Thrombo-embolism (VTE))
  • Taking Oral HRT tablets can increase the risk of developing blood clots in the legs or the lungs. The risk can be higher in the first year of taking treatment and sometimes higher in those who are overweight or smoke. 
  • If you have a family history of clotting disease, are overweight or smoke – please consult your doctor before starting any type of HRT. 
• Stroke or heart disease
  • Oral combined HRT increases the risk of stroke, especially in the case if a woman is starting HRT above the age of 60 or 10 years after menopause 
• Breast cancer
  • Long-term use of combined HRT( containing both oestrogen and progesterone) can sometimes increase the risk of breast cancer.
  • The risk of breast cancer increases the longer one uses HRT and normally returns within a few years of stopping HRT. 

To ensure that you are safe while taking HRT, it is important to have regular reviews with your physician (preferably every 6-12 months) so that they can do check-ups and make sure you are in the best of health.

Ellest duet tablets can affect mood and sleep, usually both positively, when the body adjusts to the hormonal changes. 

Most women experience mood changes during the first few days, feeling more anxious or irritable as their body adjusts to the influx of new hormones. However, as the body adjusts and hormonal levels adjust, mood levels tend to get better and menopausal changes such as anxiety, low mood, and irritability reduce. 

Improved oestrogen intake through the use of Elleste duet also means fewer night sweats, hot flushes and better sleep quality.  Women anecdotally report deeper and more restful sleep after a few weeks on Elleste duet. 

If you are experiencing persistent mood changes or troublesome sleep as a paradoxical side effect of taking Elleste duet, please speak to your healthcare provider.

If you stop taking Elleste duet suddenly, your body may react to the abrupt drop in hormonal levels, especially if you have been taking it for a long time. 

Some signs and symptoms of this abrupt change include, return of menopausal symptoms, such as:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood swings and low mood 
• Fatigue and joint pain
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort 

Depending on individual variation, some women notice only mild changes, while others experience a quicker recurrence of symptoms. 

Stopping HRT means you will lose the protective effects of HRT on bone and heart health over time as well. 

The safest way to stop Elleste Duet is to taper the dose down in a gradual way in consultation with your healthcare provider.