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Femoston at menopause: how to take and what to replace with
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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The climacteric period in women is caused by a decrease in the production of sex hormones by the ovaries. This process is usually accompanied by poor health, hot flashes, increased sweating, irritability, insomnia, cardiac failure, hypertension, weight gain and other troubles. To avoid or reduce the symptoms of menopause, hormonal drugs are taken. Femoston for menopause is one of the effective hormonal drugs often prescribed by doctors.
Indications femoston for menopause
The indication for the use of femoston during menopause is its negative manifestations. This is a two-component drug consisting of estradiol, the most active female sex hormone, and dydrogesterone, a steroid hormone involved in regulating vital processes.
Femoston is used for hormone replacement therapy for various disorders caused by natural or premature artificial menopause, which entails a decrease in estrogen synthesis. The drug is also indicated for the prevention of osteoporosis and for women with a high risk of fractures, if special medications for the treatment of these ailments are contraindicated or intolerable for some reason.
Release form
The release form of Femoston is tablets in various dosages, as evidenced by the inscription in the form of a fraction: 1/5, 1/10, 2/10. The numerator of the fraction indicates the content of estradiol in one tablet of the drug in milligrams, and the denominator - the content of dydrogesterone. In addition, in the manufacture of Femoston, such auxiliary components are used as: colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, shell substance, etc. Femoston is packaged in a blister of 28 tablets of two colors with the days of the week indicated on them. The side of the package with tablets for the first two weeks of admission is marked with the number 1, the rest - 2.
Pharmacodynamics
Estradiol, the active substance of Femoston, is similar in its chemical and biological characteristics to the hormone produced by the body naturally. Therefore, the pharmacodynamics of the drug consists in replenishing the deficiency of sex hormones caused by the fading of ovarian function during menopause. Thanks to this, it provides treatment for hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, headaches, atrophy of the mucous membranes of the genitals and urinary system.
The drug also increases the elasticity and tone of the muscles of the genitals, sphincters of the bladder. Dydrogesterone, as a component of femoston, ensures the normal structure of the endometrium, prevents its pathological growth. It is an effective preventive measure for osteoporosis and bone fractures, slows down the decrease in bone mass.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of femoston indicate that, being a low-dose hormone replacement therapy drug, the drug is quickly absorbed when ingested. As a result of metabolic processes, estradiol, which is a component of femoston, is converted in the liver into estrone sulfate and estrone (natural estrogen produced by cholesterol). In this case, the level of total cholesterol and "bad" (low density) decreases, and "good" (high density) increases. Estradiol is excreted from the body mainly by the kidneys. Dydrogesterone, the second component, is quickly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, concentrating in the body to the maximum 0.5-2.5 hours after administration. It is completely excreted by the kidneys after three days.
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Dosing and administration
The method of administration and dosage of Femoston during menopause depend on the menopause phase, the patient's condition and are determined by the attending physician. Femoston 1/10 is prescribed during perimenopause, its intake is calculated for a 28-day cycle. In the first 14 days, one white tablet (estradiol content - 1 mg) is taken daily at the same time. In the next 2 weeks of the cycle, you should take a gray tablet (estradiol - 1 mg and dydrogesterone - 10 mg) according to the same scheme.
Femoston 2/10 should be taken for two weeks, one pink tablet (2 mg estradiol), and on the following days, one yellow-orange tablet (2 mg estradiol and 10 mg dydrogesterone). Women who are still menstruating should begin treatment with the drug on the first day of their period. If menstruation is irregular, then it is necessary to first take gestagen for 2 weeks, and then switch to femoston. Femoston 1/5 is prescribed to women who are in postmenopause, lasting a year or more, a tablet is taken per day at the same time.
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Femoston 2/10 during menopause
Femoston 2/10 is indicated for early menopause as a hormone replacement therapy. The active ingredient of the drug is estradiol, which is very similar to the hormone produced by the ovary. The pharmacological properties of the drug include regulation of the functions of the genitals, stabilization of metabolic processes in the bone and autonomic nervous system. Dydrogesterone contained in the drug ensures the detachment of the endometrium, which significantly reduces the risk of endometriosis and uterine cancer. The drug is contraindicated in breast cancer, endometriosis and other neoplasms. It is not prescribed for liver diseases, uterine bleeding and, of course, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Treatment with Femoston 2/10 may be accompanied by chest pain, rarely dizziness, nausea.
Femoston 1/10 during menopause
Hormone replacement therapy usually begins with one gram of estradiol, so Femoston 1/10 is initially prescribed. Its characteristics are similar to Femoston 2/10, the only difference being the dose of estradiol. As the treatment progresses, the doctor may adjust the dose by increasing it. The tablets are taken regardless of meals, once a day, at the same time. If for some reason the drug is missed, then a double dose should not be taken to make up for lost time.
What can replace Femoston 1/10 during menopause?
Standard hormone replacement therapy lasts 5-7 years. After 2-3 years of taking Femoston 1/10, the dose can be reduced to 1/5. One blister of tablets is designed for one cycle of administration. There is no need to take breaks between cycles. Throughout the treatment, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the genitals, mammary glands, thyroid gland, and other organs. Therapy can continue until the risk of complications exceeds the therapeutic effect of treatment. The effect of the drug on women over 65 has not been studied.
Contraindications
Femoston has a number of significant contraindications for use, so before its appointment it is necessary to undergo a number of examinations, both general and with a gynecologist. If pathologies are detected that may be aggravated by taking Femoston, the doctor must decide on the advisability of its appointment.
Contraindications for use include pregnancy, breastfeeding, intolerance to the components of the drug, and a number of diseases. Such diseases include uterine bleeding, untreated endometrial hyperplasia, malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland, acute venous occlusion, and kidney disease. Caution should also be exercised when prescribing the drug to patients suffering from diabetes, epilepsy, migraines, high blood pressure, otosclerosis, uterine fibroids, cholelithiasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, renal failure, and bronchial asthma.
Obesity is a serious risk factor for the use of Femoston. If the benefits of taking Femoston outweigh the risk of complications, it is necessary to remain under the supervision of a doctor and stop treatment when the first symptoms of the described diseases appear (severe headache, high blood pressure, yellowing of the skin, etc.). In case of extensive injuries and the need for surgical interventions, you should also stop taking hormones.
Side effects femoston for menopause
Side effects of Femoston during menopause are possible. 1% to 10% of women participating in the drug trial experienced headaches, flatulence, nausea, pain in the abdomen, pelvis and mammary glands, leg cramps. Less than 1% experienced depression, irritability, allergies, swelling of the extremities, an increase in the size of an existing fibroid, and exacerbation of cholecystitis.
A small proportion of women (less than 0.1%) observed swelling of the mammary glands, malaise, asthenia, jaundice. And a very small group (0.01%) experienced such manifestations as suprahepatic jaundice, vomiting, skin lesions, myocardial infarction, stroke. Therefore, when undergoing treatment with femoston, the patient should be under constant medical supervision, undergoing periodic examinations, doing mammography, examining the liver, thyroid gland, monitoring blood sugar levels. If the slightest deviations are detected, the patient's attention should be focused on this and referred to a specialized doctor, if necessary, interrupting treatment.
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Overdose
Femoston is a low-toxic drug. In practice, there have been no cases of femoston overdose. Theoretically, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness may be observed. In case of suspected overdose, treatment may be aimed at eliminating these symptoms.
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Interactions with other drugs
When studying interactions with other drugs, it was noted that the simultaneous use of femoston with drugs that activate liver enzymes reduces the concentration of the drug, thereby weakening the effect of estrogens. Such drugs include carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifabutin, barbiturates, rifampicin. Herbal preparations containing St. John's wort, on the contrary, enhance the effect of femoston. In turn, femoston can affect such drugs as theophylline, fentanyl, tacrolimus, cyclosporine. Their combined use can increase the concentration of the latter to toxic levels, so it is advisable to reduce their dose.
Shelf life
Shelf life: 3 years.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Femoston at menopause: how to take and what to replace with" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.