Menostar (estradiol) is a skin patch used to prevent bone loss after menopause. It’s convenient to use because it’s a once-weekly patch, but it’s not a first-choice option for treating bone loss.
Prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause
Menostar (estradiol) contains estrogen, which is a natural hormone in your body that helps keep your bones healthy. During menopause, your body makes less estrogen, which puts you at a greater risk for bone loss (osteoporosis). By adding or replacing estrogen, Menostar (estradiol) helps to lower that risk by preventing bone loss.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Available as a convenient once-weekly patch
Can be applied to your skin, so it’s easy to use
Helps to lower the risk of bone loss and fractures
Doesn't cause certain side effects, such as digestive problems or bone pain, commonly seen with bisphosphonates, a first-choice medication for treating bone loss
Can become less sticky and fall off with activities like swimming or showering
Must remember to change the application site weekly
Raises your risk for certain cancers, strokes, and heart attacks
Not a first-choice medication for treating bone loss
Apply Menostar (estradiol) to a clean, dry area on your lower stomach or upper buttocks. Don't apply it on or around your breasts. Also, avoid areas around your waistline because tight clothes or belts can cause the patch to rub off.
Remember to rotate the site where you apply Menostar (estradiol) weekly, and wait at least one week before using the same site again to prevent the skin in that area from getting irritated. To make sure the patch sticks easily onto your skin, avoid applying it to areas that are hairy, oily, or have tattoos or burns.
If you still have your uterus, you might also need to take a progestin medication for 14 days every 6 to 12 months while using the patch to help slow the growth of your uterine lining and lower your risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer. Talk to your provider about whether or not you need to take a progestin.
Check your breasts monthly for any abnormal changes, like changes in size, shape, or color. Use your hands and fingers to feel for any lumps, swelling, pain, or soreness, and call your healthcare provider if you notice anything worrisome. Due to a higher risk of breast cancer from using Menostar (estradiol), routine checks like this might help with early detection.
Estrogen replacement medications, like Menostar (estradiol), can cause serious medical problems, such as breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack. Because the risk is higher when you use estrogen products longer, it’s recommended to use the lowest dose to relieve your symptoms for the shortest time. Have regular discussions with your healthcare provider every 3 to 6 months about how long you need to use Menostar (estradiol).
Store Menostar (estradiol) patches at room temperature. Keep each patch in its individual sealed pouch until you're ready to use it.
Used Menostar (estradiol) patches might still have some estrogen in them. To keep children and others around you safe, patches need to be thrown away safely. Fold the sticky side of the patch together, put the patch in a child-proof container, and throw it away in a trash can. Don’t flush used patches down the toilet.
It's important to read the Patient Information before using Menostar (estradiol) to make sure you use it correctly.
Remove the patch from the pouch by tearing the notch. Don't use scissors since you can accidentally cut the patch.
Menostar (estradiol) is an oval-shaped clear patch. To apply the patch, only remove the clear plastic film. Don't remove the silver foil sticker that's inside of the pouch.
Apply the sticky side of the patch to your skin, and try not to touch the sticky side with your fingers because this can cause the patch to become less sticky.
After placing the patch onto your skin, press down hard on the patch for at least 10 seconds, and rub down the edges of the patch to make sure it stays on.
Remind yourself by noting down the day of the week as you'll need to change your patch on the same day each week.
Menostar (estradiol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: People with a uterus | Using Menostar (estradiol) without progestin | Higher doses of Menostar (estradiol) | Long-term use of Menostar (estradiol)
There's a higher risk of endometrial cancer, or cancer of the uterine lining, in people who use estrogen products alone, like Menostar (estradiol). The chances are higher in people who use Menostar (estradiol) for a long time. If you still have your uterus, you might also need to take another hormone called a progestin medication for 14 days every 6 to 12 months along with the patch to lower your risk. Progestin balances out estrogen's effects by slowing the growth of your uterine lining. Your healthcare provider might also test yearly samples of tissue from your body to make sure you don't have cancer. If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that doesn't go away or keeps coming back, let your provider know because this can be a warning sign of uterine (endometrial) cancer.
Risk factors: Using Menostar (estradiol) with progestin | Long-term use of Menostar (estradiol) | Personal or family history of breast cancer
There's a higher risk of developing breast cancer in people using Menostar (estradiol) both alone and with progestin, especially when taking the medications long term. Lower your risk by working with your healthcare provider to use Menostar (estradiol) over the shortest period of time. To help with early detection and to make sure there aren't any abnormal changes in your breasts, you can do monthly breast self-checks at home and yearly breast exams with your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormal changes or feel lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.
Risk factors: History of stroke | Personal or family history of blood clots in the veins | Postmenopausal females using estrogen products | Obesity | History of lupus | Using Menostar (estradiol) with progestin | Long-term use of Menostar (estradiol) | Inactivity
There's a higher risk for stroke, blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) in postmenopausal females who use Menostar (estradiol) alone or with progestin. Resting for long periods of time with no walking or activity can also raise the risk of blood clots. You might also have to stop taking Menostar (estradiol) at least 4 to 6 weeks before certain surgeries that can put you at a higher risk for blood clots. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance if you have an upcoming surgery. Seek emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot in the legs (cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness) and lungs (trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough). If you have any signs of a stroke, such as weakness or numbness of the arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, slurred speech, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion, get emergency help right away.
Risk factors: History of heart attack | Heart disease | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Obesity | Smoking tobacco
Menostar (estradiol) shouldn't be used alone or in combination with progestin to lower the chances of heart disease. Chances of having a heart attack are higher in postmenopausal females who use Menostar (estradiol) alone or with progestin. If you have any signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, chest tightness, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, or a fast heartbeat, get emergency help right away.
Risk factors: Age 65 or greater | Using Menostar (estradiol) alone or with progestin
Menostar (estradiol) shouldn't be used to lower the risk of dementia. The chances of developing dementia are higher in people over the age of 65 who use Menostar (estradiol) alone or with progestin. If you or your loved one notices that you're becoming forgetful, confused, anxious, or are having a hard time making decisions or solving problems, let your healthcare provider know.
Risk factors: Postmenopausal females using estrogen products | History of gallbladder problems | History of liver problems with past estrogen use or with pregnancy
There's a higher risk of gallbladder problems in postmenopausal females using Menostar (estradiol), with some requiring surgery. Your body also mainly breaks down or metabolizes Menostar (estradiol) in the liver. For people with a history of liver problems (such as cholestatic jaundice), that have occurred with past estrogen use or during pregnancy, Menostar (estradiol) should be used carefully.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any gallbladder or liver conditions or if you notice symptoms, such as stomach pain or swelling, back pain, shoulder pain, dark urine, yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Cancer that has spread to the bones | Low parathyroid hormone levels
Using Menostar (estradiol) can lead to severely high calcium in people with breast cancer and in those whose cancer has spread to their bones. If your calcium is high, you might feel thirsty, have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, muscle weakness, or confusion. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms because you might have to stop using Menostar (estradiol).
Use Menostar (estradiol) with caution if you have low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism), which is a condition that affects the glands in the back of your neck and leads to low calcium in your body. Let your healthcare provider know if you have signs of low calcium such as burning or tingling of your fingers, toes, or lips, muscle pain, or confusion.
A blood clot that blocks part of your eye, known as retinal vascular thrombosis, can develop in people using estrogen products, like Menostar (estradiol). If you suddenly can't see out of one or both eyes or if you have bulging eyes, double vision, or migraines, stop using Menostar (estradiol) and call your healthcare provider.
Risk factors: History of high triglycerides
Menostar (estradiol) can raise triglyceride levels in your blood, which can lead to serious conditions like inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If you have a history of high triglycerides, which is a type of body fat that mostly comes from foods, try to make some dietary changes, like limiting salt and sugar, avoiding alcohol, and eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, beans, and nuts. For more guidance on how to reduce your triglyceride levels, ask your healthcare provider.
Risk factors: Low thyroid hormone levels
Menostar (estradiol) can affect thyroid hormone levels in your blood. If you take medications for low thyroid hormone levels, you might require higher doses of thyroid replacement therapy. Your healthcare provider might have you perform regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels.
Risk factors: History of heart or kidney problems
Using estrogen products, like Menostar (estradiol), might cause some fluid retention, or edema, and the chances are higher in people who have heart conditions, like congestive heart failure, or kidney damage. If you notice unusual swelling in any part of your body or if you suddenly gain weight over a short period of time, let your healthcare provider know.
Risk factors: History of asthma or diabetes | History of lupus | History of seizures or migraines | Taking other medications that can cause seizures
If you have certain conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider before using Menostar (estradiol) because estrogen products can worsen these conditions by either raising your blood sugar levels or causing asthma attacks.
The typical dose for Menostar (estradiol) is one patch per week applied to your lower stomach or upper buttocks.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Breast cancer
Tumor that depends on estrogen for growth
Blood clots or blood clotting conditions
History of stroke or heart attack
Liver problems
Currently pregnant
Prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, and flushes caused by menopause
Vaginal dryness and irritation caused by menopause
Low estrogen levels due to certain conditions
Prevention of osteoporosis after menopause
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in females
Treatment of osteoporosis in males
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