Kliofem

What Is Kliofem and How Does It Work?

Kliofem is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablet used in menopausal and post-menopausal women (those who have not had a natural period for 12 months or more).

Kliofem is a form of combined HRT; it contains both active hormones:

• Estradiol – a natural form of oestrogen
• Norethisterone acetate – a synthetic form of progesterone

Kliofem is designed to be taken by women who still have a uterus (have not had a hysterectomy). The oestrogen component helps relieve the troublesome symptoms of menopause, whereas the progesterone component helps protect the uterine lining from overgrowth.

Menopause is a state of health in a woman where there is a natural decline in the body’s production of oestrogen (and associated hormonal changes). Kliofem works to replace these declining hormones and mitigate some of the risks of low oestrogen in the body.

Estradiol (the oestrogen replacement) helps relieve symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats. It can also support vaginal and urinary tissues affected by the body’s oestrogen deficiency (suffering from vaginal atrophy). It also helps to slow estrogen deficiency-associated bone loss (osteoporosis).

Benefits of Kliofem for Hormone Replacement Therapy

Kliofem can help relieve many of the troublesome symptoms of menopause that are caused by a reduction in circulating oestrogen, including:

• Hot flushes (hot flushes and night sweats)
• Irritability, poor concentration, mood swings
• Vaginal dryness and other symptoms related to the urinary/genital tracts

Kliofem can also help prevent the bone loss that accompanies menopause (partially due to a loss of circulating oestrogen hormone). Kliofem has been scientifically proven in order to help avoid bone loss in key areas, including the lumbar spine, neck of the femur (leg bone), and the radius bone (arm bone).

Kliofem is given continuously (as a hormonal HRT Tablet), this mechanism of action helps to prevent withdrawal bleeding that can arise due to the use of cyclical or sequential HRT.

Kliofem also helps protect the womb lining from overgrowth. It is a combined hormonal pill, the oestrogen helps to relieve symptoms of menopause while the progesterone protects the womb lining.

 How to Take Kliofem Tablets Correctly

The following is an overview of how to take Kliofem HRt tablets. For more information or specific guidance for yourself, please consult your healthcare provider.

Kliofem should be taken as one tablet daily – swallowed whole with water. Unlike some other HRT regimes, there are no breaks when taking Kliofem, it is a form of continuous and combined HRT.

It is advisable to take the tablet at the same time each day, this helps keep the hormone levels stable and reduces the chances of forgetting to take the pill too.

If you miss a dose but you are less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. If it is more than 12 hours late, skip the next tablet and take the next one at the usual time. Do not double up on a dose to make up for a missed dose.

HRT such as kliofem should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time necessary. Please consult with your healthcare provider on the duration for HRT kliofem treatment that is right for you.

During the course of your HRT treatment, you may also require regular and periodic health checks to ensure your continued health and that the sum benefits are outweighing any risks and side effects greatly.

Dosage Guidelines and Treatment Duration

The following is an overview of Kliofem dosage guidelines and the recommended duration for how long treatment should last. For more detailed or specific information, please consult your healthcare provider.

Dosage guidance

One standard dose of Kliofem contains 2mg of Estradiol (oestrogen) and 1 mg of Norethisterone (progesterone).

Dose adjustments are not normally required unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider.

If you miss a dose but you are less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. If it is more than 12 hours late, skip the next tablet and take the next one at the usual time. Do not double up on a dose to make up for a missed dose.

Treatment duration

Treatment duration for Kliofem is normally individualised. HRT (including Kliofem) is normally prescribed by your healthcare provider at the lowest dose for the shortest time period to reduce menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis

Kliofem taken for relief from symptoms of menopause is often used for several months to a year

Kliofem taken for osteoporosis prevention may be considered to be taken long term.

Your doctor should annually review your health while on any time of HRT (including Kliofem) to evaluate whether you still need the medication and whether the benefits still outweigh any risks.

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The following is a brief overview of Kliofem’s side effect profile and some safety information. For more detailed and specific information, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

Side effects

Common side effects (usually mild and resolve in a few months of continued use):

• Breast tenderness or pain
• Headache or migraine
• Vaginal bleeding/ spotting
• Mood changes, such as feeling excessively low or irritable
• Stomach or pelvic pain

Some less common but possible side effects:

• Skin changes such as rashes, itching or pigmentation
• Change in libdio
• Change in blood pressure
• Leg cramps or joint pains

Serious but rare side effects

If these occur, seek medical attention immediately:

•  Blood clots in the legs or lungs – manifesting as sudden, painful legs or chest

• Stroke or heart attack – feelings of sudden weakness, numbness, chest and arm pain, severe headache or vision problems
• Signs of potential endometrial overgrowth, such as unexplained or persistent vaginal bleeding

For a full list of side effects or if you wish to find out about any specific side effect concerns, please consult the patient information leaflet which comes with the medication or consult with your healthcare provider.

Safety information:

During the course of your treatment with HRT, it is important to conduct some safety checks and maintenance to ensure you are responding well to your treatment. These may include:

• Have breast checks and mammograms regularly and as recommended by your doctor, to ensure good health
• Regular blood pressure monitoring during the course of your treatment
• Report any signs of abdominal pain or unusual vaginal bleeding promptly.

To help with safe use of Kliofem, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest periods of time. To ensure your continued good health, it is also best to have annual reviews with your doctor to ensure that taking Kliofem is continually beneficial for your health.

Who Should Not Use Kliofem?

There are some contraindications for people who should not take Kliofem, these include:

• People who have had/ have suspicions of having had breast cancer in the past
• People who have had previous womb cancers or oestrogen-dependent cancers
• People who have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• People who have untreated endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of endometrial lining)
• People who have had previous blood clot disorders (DVT, PE or thrombophilia)
• Stroke, heart attack or angina

Please consult with your healthcare provider about your full and relevant past medical history before purchasing or deciding to start Kliofem.