Femoston^®
(estradiol + dydrogesterone)

Femoston^® contains estrogen and progestogen. Estrogen relieves estrogen deficiency symptoms such as hot flushes. Progestogen provides endometrial protection for non-hysterectomised women.

Menopausal women experience a drop in their estrogen levels, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be advised to alleviate the symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency and improve their overall quality of life.¹

Prescribing Information

Femoston^® is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is suitable for postmenopausal women who require estrogen replacement therapy and have not had their uterus removed (hysterectomy). During the menopausal transition levels of estrogen in a woman’s body start to decline, causing vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes.²

• The Femoston^® range of products contain both 17β-estradiol and dydrogesterone
• The Femoston^® range offers both sequential and continuous combined options
• Dydrogesterone is a stereoisomer of progesterone with an additional double bond between carbons 6 and 7³
• Dydrogesterone’s molecular structure and shape makes it a highly selective progestogen, binding almost exclusively to the progestogen receptors³

Femoston^® is a combination of 17β-estradiol and dydrogesterone. Femoston^® is available in 4 preparations with estradiol / dydrogesterone in doses of 0.5 mg/2.5 mg and 1 mg/5 mg as continuous combined preparations and 1 mg/10 mg and 2 mg/10 mg as sequential combined preparations.^4-7

Adapted from Fig 1 Schindler AE. Progestational effects of dydrogesterone in vitro, in vivo and on the human endometrium. Maturitas 2009;65(Suppl 1):S3-S11.

The addition of a progestogen cyclically for at least 12 days per month/28 day cycle or continuous combined estrogen-progestogen therapy in non-hysterectomised women prevents the excess risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma associated with estrogen-only HRT.⁴ According to a systematic review of literature, 17β-estradiol/dydrogesterone combinations in doses of 0.5 mg/2.5 mg, 1 mg/5 mg, 1 mg/10 mg and 2 mg/10 mg were associated with a statistically significant improvement in the postmenopausal symptoms.¹⁰ Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that combination of 17β-estradiol/dydrogesterone in doses of 1 mg/10 mg, 2 mg/10 mg and 1 mg/5 mg can help as a second line agent in the prevention of osteoporosis as evaluated by the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD).^11,12

Read more about the indications of Femoston^® & Femoston^®-conti below.

Lower doses of combined HRT may be associated with reduced incidences of breast tenderness and higher rates of amenorrhoea compared to combined HRT regimens with higher doses estrogen.^8,9

A randomised controlled trial with 0.5 mg/2.5 mg and 1 mg/5 mg estradiol/dydrogesterone for a period of 13 weeks reported a significant mean reduction in the number of hot flushes from baseline as compared with placebo.⁸

Treatment with Femoston^® conti (0.5 mg/2.5 mg) ultra low dose continuous combined therapy demonstrated a high rate of amenorrhoea (91% of women bleed free by months 10-12) and a good tolerability profile.⁸

Additionally, ultra-low dose continuous combined estradiol and progestogen regimens (e.g. 0.5 mg estradiol in combination with dydrogesterone 2.5 mg) appear to maintain the benefits of higher dose regimens whilst allowing minimal use of progestogen to reduce side-effects.¹³

The table below provides a rough estimate of equivalent doses. These dose equivalents are subject to significant individual variations in absorption and metabolism. Preparations are oral, unless otherwise specified.

Femoston^® is indicated for estrogen deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women at least 6 months since last menses and Femoston^®-conti is indicated for estrogen deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women at least 12 months since last menses.^4-7 Femoston^® 1/10, 2/10 and Femoston^®-conti 1/5 are indicated for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of future fractures who are intolerant of, or contraindicated for, other medicinal products approved for the prevention of osteoporosis.^4,5,7

The frequency of side effects of Femoston^® as observed from clinical trials may range from very common to rare. The most common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, back pain and breast tenderness. The common side effects can include vaginal candidiasis, depression, nervousness, migraine, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, flatulence; allergic skin reactions, menstrual disorders, weight gain, cervical discharge and pelvic pain. Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full information.^4-7

Femoston^® and Femoston^®-conti contains 17β-estradiol and dydrogesterone.^4-7 Dydrogesterone does not stimulate the following receptors: estrogenic, androgenic or glucocorticoid.^3,15,16

+ Effective; ± Weakly effective; – Not effective
*MPA: medroxyprogesterone acetate