HRT (Oestrogen)
Also known as: Elleste, Evorel, Estradot, Estraderm, Oestrogel
What it's for
Oestrogen HRT treats menopause symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. If you have a womb, you also need progestogen to protect your womb lining.
Comes as: Patches, gel, tablets, or spray
How to take it
- Patches: Apply 1 or 2 patches per week to clean, dry skin.
- Gel: Apply daily to skin as directed.
- Tablets: Usually 1 tablet daily.
- Rotate patch sites to prevent irritation.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Feeling sick
- Leg cramps
- Patch: skin irritation at application site
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- If you have a womb, you must also take progestogen
- Small increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer - discuss with your doctor
- Patches and gel have lower blood clot risk than tablets
- Report any unusual vaginal bleeding
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have unusual vaginal bleeding
- You have chest pain or difficulty breathing
- You have leg pain or swelling
- You have sudden severe headache or vision problems
- You notice a breast lump
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.