FemSeven (estradiol) is an estrogen-only transdermal patch used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treatment of moderate to severe menopause. It is also used, though less commonly, to treat hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure.

The medication supplies the body with an estrogen hormone, which alleviates symptoms of low estrogen during menopause or caused by other issues. Most women are familiar with the symptoms of menopause, which include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Hair loss or thinning
• Dizziness
• Bloating
• Incontinence
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Osteoporosis
• Tingling extremities

FemSeven patches---or any estrogen replacement therapy---is usually only advisable when symptoms are moderate to severe. Estrogen replacement can lead to a range of complications, and the longer it continues the higher the risk. In most cases treatment with FemSeven should stop every 3 to 6 months to see if continued treatment is needed; the body will adjust to low estrogen eventually and symptoms will no longer occur, or no longer be nearly as severe.

Important Note

FemSeven should only be used by women who no longer have an intact uterus. Those women who do have an intact uterus will want to buy a product that also contains a progestin.

A progestin (synthetic progestogen) will significantly reduce the odds of developing uterine complications, including uterine cancer, in women who also supplement estrogen.

While it is possible to buy a progestin on its own, it's much simpler to buy a combined product, such as Ortho Evra Patch, among others.

Women who have had their uterus removed do not need to worry about taking a progestin along with estrogen; FemSeven will work fine.

Dosage & Administration

As mentioned above, FemSeven comes as transdermal patches. A patch is applied to the skin and left in place for one week, after which time it is removed and replaced.

Patients should start with lower doses, such as 50 mcg (0.05 mg) patches. If needed dosage can be increased to 100 mcg (0.1 mg).

A patch should be applied to clean, dry skin below the waist, avoiding places where the patch will be rubbed repeatedly. A new location should be chosen each week to avoid skin irritation.

Never apply FemSeven or any estrogen patch near the breasts.

Patches should withstand showering, bathing, swimming, and other water activities. In the rare case one falls off, it should be replaced with a new patch.

Duration of treatment is variable and individualized. Treatment should be stopped periodically to see if symptoms return. If they do, treatment may resume for a few more months. Ideally the lowest effective dose is used for the shortest period of time.

Potential Complications

Estrogen replacement therapy is not recommended for all women; the risk of serious adverse effects are simply too high. The medication should not be used by women with:

• Multiple risk factors for arterial cardiovascular disease
• Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
• Bleeding or blood-clotting disorders
• Hypertension with vascular disease
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• History (including family history) of hormone-receptive breast cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis
• History of stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Acute liver disease

FemSeven does have some common side effects associated with it. In most cases such symptoms are mild, not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive:

• Headache
• Thinning of hair
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness
• Vaginal itching
• Fluid retention
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vaginal discharge

FemSeven is associated with more serious side effects, which warrant medical attention:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Lumps in breasts
• Jaundice
• Low calcium in blood (numbness, tingling around mouth, muscle contractions, overactive reflexes)
• High calcium in blood (increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, confusion, nausea, vomiting)
• Symptoms of blood clots in legs (pain, warmth, redness, swelling)
• Symptoms of blood clots in lungs (sudden cough, wheezing, chest pain, rapid breathing, coughing up blood)

There are a wide range of other medications that can interact with FemSeven, both over-the-counter as well as prescription. Always double-check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications with FemSeven.