dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Sequential combined oral HRT containing an oestrogen and a progestogen.
Main licensed role
Relief of postmenopausal oestrogen-deficiency symptoms.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Contraception
HRT does not prevent pregnancy; use suitable non-hormonal contraception if pregnancy remains possible.
What is dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
HRT for oestrogen-deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women who meet the product’s menopause-timing criteria.
Preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high future fracture risk when other licensed treatments are unsuitable or cannot be tolerated.
How does dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate work?
Estradiol replaces reduced oestrogen, helping relieve symptoms and reduce postmenopausal bone loss. Dydrogesterone opposes estradiol-driven growth of the womb lining, reducing the risk of hyperplasia in people with a womb.
dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.5 mg + 2.5 mg, 1 mg + 10 mg, 1 mg + 5 mg
How to take dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate
Follow the blister-pack arrows and day labels carefully because it contains different tablet types that must be taken in the stated order.
Swallow the tablet with water.
It may be taken with or without food; food may help nausea.
Do not swap the white and grey tablets or start a new pack out of sequence.
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber if the pack order is unclear.
dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or migraine
- Abdominal or back pain
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Nausea, vomiting or wind
- Dizziness
- Low mood or nervousness
- Irregular bleeding, spotting or pelvic pain
- Vaginal thrush or discharge
- Tiredness, ankle swelling or weight increase
- Rash, itching or hives
Get urgent medical advice
- Painful swelling, redness or warmth in one leg
- Sudden chest pain, breathlessness or coughing blood
- Facial weakness, speech difficulty, or weakness of an arm or leg
- Swelling of the face, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Jaundice or marked deterioration in liver function
- A new breast lump, nipple change or skin dimpling
- New, heavy or persistent unexpected vaginal bleeding
dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate in pregnancy
This combination is not indicated during pregnancy and is not contraceptive. Stop it and contact the prescriber if pregnancy occurs. Available evidence about inadvertent exposure has not shown a teratogenic or fetal-toxic signal, but product-specific data are limited.
dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate while breastfeeding
The selected product is not indicated during breastfeeding. Evidence for HRT use while breastfeeding is limited, so specialist advice is needed if treatment is being considered.
dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines and herbal products. Important examples include:
Carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital
May reduce hormone exposure, lessen the HRT effect and alter bleeding.
Rifampicin and rifabutin
May reduce the effect and change the bleeding pattern.
Nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir and nelfinavir
May increase hormone metabolism and reduce treatment effect.
Common questions about dydrogesterone + estradiol hemihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does it prevent pregnancy?
No. It is HRT, not contraception; use suitable non-hormonal contraception if pregnancy is still possible.
Can it cause vaginal bleeding?
Yes. Withdrawal bleeding and early spotting can occur. New, heavy or persistent unexpected bleeding should be assessed.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.