Elleste-solo is a hormone replacement therapy containing the bioidentical hormone estradiol. This hormone is identical to the oestrogen naturally produced by your body. Elleste-solo can help reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. If you still have a uterus, you are often prescribed progestogen alongside it to protect the uterine lining. This medication is available by prescription only.
Hormone replacement therapy
Elleste-solo
Tablet
In short
- For symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, vaginal dryness
- May help with mood swings, fatigue, irritability
- Tablet containing bioidentical hormone estradiol
- Women with a uterus: progesterone/progestogen required
- Prescription medication
What is Elleste-solo?
What can you expect from Elleste-solo?
Elleste-solo supplements the oestrogen deficiency that can occur during menopause. As a result, menopausal symptoms may lessen. It is a tablet taken daily. Most women notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks.
When should I use Elleste-solo?
- Take one tablet daily.
- Women with a uterus are often prescribed progestogen alongside it to protect the uterine lining.
- Use it for as long as your doctor advises.
The package leaflet contains all the information about this product. Read the leaflet carefully before using the product.
For which symptoms is Elleste-solo used?
- Hot flushes/night sweats
- Heart palpitations
- Painful muscles and joints
- Poor sleep and fatigue
- Concentration problems
- Vaginal symptoms such as dryness or recurrent yeast infections
It may also help with:
- Mental symptoms such as mood swings and irritability
- Skin issues such as dry skin and skin ageing
- Changes in body odour
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Dry and itchy eyes
- Frequent urination
Do not use Elleste-solo if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are allergic to estradiol or other ingredients
- Have or have had blood clots (thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
- Have had a (recent) heart attack or stroke
- Have or have had breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancer
- Have severe liver disease
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
Inform your doctor if you are taking other medications, as some drugs may affect how this medication works.
Consult your prescribing doctor if you are using other medications.
Possible side effects of Elleste-solo
Common (in 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 women):
Painful or tender breasts
Headache
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Irregular vaginal bleeding
Occasional (in 1 to 10 in 100 users):
Mood changes
Weight gain
Fluid retention
Migraine
Rare (in fewer than 1 in 1,000 users):
Thrombosis (blood clots)
Heart conditions
Liver problems
In rare cases, these side effects can lead to serious symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, sudden headache, jaundice, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Always contact a doctor immediately in these situations. The package leaflet provides a complete list of possible side effects.
For a full overview of side effects, consult the package leaflet.
Risks of hormone replacement therapy
The use of medication carries risks, and this is also true for menopausal hormone therapy. For tablets or capsules containing oestrogen:
A slightly increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis), strokes, and gallbladder problems.
If you still have a uterus, oestrogen must be combined with progesterone/progestogen. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of uterine cancer. For hormone therapy involving oestrogen and progesterone/progestogen:
Rare, but there is an increased risk of breast cancer. This risk rises the longer the medication is used.
If you no longer have a uterus and use oestrogen alone, the increased risk of breast cancer is minimal or non-existent.
Recent studies indicate that menopausal hormone therapy (started before the age of 60) can offer protective benefits in addition to risks. These include protection against certain types of cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
Scientific sources
Update on Menopause Hormone Therapy; Current Indications and Unanswered Questions - PubMed
Cognitive health after menopause: Does menopausal hormone therapy affect it? - PubMed
Impact of estrogens on resting energy expenditure: A systematic review - PubMed
Cognition and mental health in menopause: A review - PubMed
The role of estrogen in female skeletal muscle aging: A systematic review - PubMed
Oestrogen-based therapies for menopausal symptoms - PubMed
2016 IMS Recommendations on women's midlife health and menopause hormone therapy - PubMed
Management of unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - British Menopause Society
Rethinking Menopausal Hormone Therapy: For Whom, What, When, and How Long? - PubMed
Hormone Therapy in Menopause: Concepts, Controversies, and Approach to Treatment - PubMed
Updates in Hormone Replacement Therapy for Survivors of Gynecologic Cancers - PMC
Oestrogen-based therapies for menopausal symptoms - PubMed
The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society - PubMed
Hormone Therapy in Menopause - PubMed
Hormoonsuppletietherapie en het risico op veneuze trombo-embolie | Stichting Geneesmiddelenbulletin
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Erik KnauffRegistration number:: 89059736001
Patient Information Leaflet
Read the patient information leaflet carefully before using Elleste-solo.
Elleste-solo helps with
Frequently asked questions
Will my treatment be covered?
This depends on your health insurance provider. We recommend you check with your own insurance company. Supplements are not usually covered.
What is a consultation and how does it work?
During the consultation, you will complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire. You can also state your preferred type of treatment. Based on your answers, a doctor will prepare a treatment plan for you within 48 hours. If you approve this plan, a pharmacy will dispatch the products to your home within 3 days.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Our partner pharmacies will dispatch your order within 3 days. You can then typically start your treatment straight away.
Are there delivery charges?
For prescription medicines, delivery is included in the price. For over-the-counter products, there is a delivery charge of £4.21. We offer free delivery on orders over £40. If your order includes both, delivery is free.
Can I change, cancel or return my order?
Unfortunately, once an order has been placed, it cannot be changed. If you have ordered the wrong product, or wish to change or cancel your order, please contact our customer service team immediately. Over-the-counter products can only be cancelled if they have not yet been prepared or dispatched by the pharmacy. Prescription medicines can be cancelled if they have not yet been assessed by a doctor. Returns are only accepted for over-the-counter products in their original unopened and undamaged packaging, within 14 days of dispatch.