Menopause is a natural change in a woman's life. However, during this time, some women may experience hot flashes and night sweats, which can make their daily lives a little difficult. Today, we are going to talk about a special hormone treatment that doctors prescribe to treat these problems and prevent bone loss.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of hormones. That is, Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone . The main purpose of this is to restore the estrogen hormone that naturally decreases in the body after menopause. The hormone Medroxyprogesterone is added to prevent some problems that may occur with the uterus.
This medicine is mainly used for:
- Control symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, hot flashes, and sweating.
- Prevent osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become thin and easily broken.
Most importantly, this medication is usually prescribed to women who have not had a hysterectomy . You can find this medication in Sri Lanka under brand names like Prempro or Premphase.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor before starting the medicine. The doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not based on this information.
| Illness or other condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Having or having had cancer of the breast, cervix, uterine wall, or uterus. | These hormones can affect the growth of some types of cancer. |
| Vaginal bleeding for an unknown reason. | First you need to find the cause. |
| Having had a blood clot in the blood vessels, a heart attack, or a recent stroke. | This medicine may slightly increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Liver disease or gallbladder disease. | This medicine is removed from the body by the liver. |
| Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. | Special attention should be paid to these situations. |
| Migraine, Endometriosis, Fibroids. | These conditions may change due to hormonal influences. |
| Smoking. | The risk is significantly higher, especially if you are over 35 years old. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | This medicine is not suitable for use in these cases. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple.
- This pill is to be taken orally. Swallow it all at once with a glass of water.
- You can take this with or without food.
- The most important thing is to take this pill at the same time every day, as much as possible. Once you make it a habit, you're less likely to forget.
- Use only as directed by your doctor, for the duration prescribed. Do not take more than directed.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Regular medical checkups: It is important to see your doctor at regular intervals while taking this medicine. You should have regular breast exams and pelvic exams . Also, talk to your doctor about whether and how often you should have a mammogram.
- Avoid smoking: This is very important. If someone over 35 years of age smokes while taking this medication, the risk of blood clots and stroke is much higher. Therefore, we strongly advise against smoking altogether.
- If you suspect you are pregnant: If you suspect you are pregnant, stop taking the medication immediately and see your doctor immediately.
- Before surgery: If you have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine a few days before the surgery. Talk to your doctor about this.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. Be aware of the symptoms below.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the lips/tongue/face, difficulty breathing. |
| Chest pain | Sudden, severe chest pain. |
| Characteristics of the nervous system | Severe headache, sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking or understanding, difficulty walking, dizziness. |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Pain, swelling, and warmth in a leg (especially the buttock). |
| Liver problems | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, nausea. |
| Other serious symptoms | Unusual vaginal bleeding, lumps or changes in the breasts, changes in vision. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Hair loss, unusual tiredness, increased hunger or thirst, vaginal itching or unusual discharge. |
How should you store your medicine?
Think about these things when storing your medicine.
- Keep it safe, out of the reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else who has the same symptoms as you. It may not be suitable for them. If you have any problems, talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This is a hormonal treatment given to women who have not had their uterus removed for symptoms that occur after menopause.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Take the pill at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, never take two pills at the same time.
- Smoking while taking this medication is very dangerous, especially if you are over 35.
- See your doctor at the scheduled time and have your breast and vaginal exams.
- If you experience sudden chest pain, difficulty speaking, swelling in a leg, or unusual bleeding, seek medical advice immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න