There isn’t a best place specifically to put an Evorel patch, and it’s important to not use the same area of skin for consecutive patches. It should be placed on a hairless part of the body, below the waistline. Usually, this means on the top of the leg or buttocks.

It should never be placed on the breasts or over broken skin. It’s also important to not place it over an area that you’ve applied cream or talc to and never under an area where you might wear elastic, such as the waist.

At the beginning of treatment with Evorel Sequi you’ll use the Evorel 50 patch. You can start to use this at any time if you have not used any HRT treatment previously, or if you have no menstrual bleeding. If you still have your period, you should use it within five days of the start of bleeding. If you’re using another type of HRT, its type will determine when in your cycle you should start using Evorel Sequi patches.

This will depend on where in your menstrual cycle you are. For week one and two you should use the Evorel 50 patch. For weeks three and four you should swap to the Everol Conti patch. There should be no break between the two types of patches.

Each patch needs to be changed twice a week, so you’ll use a total of four Everol 50 patches and four Everol Conti patches each month. There is a strict schedule of when to change each patch. For example, if you use the first patch on a Monday, it’ll need to be changed on Thursday, and then on the following Monday.

Monday - Thursday - Monday
Tuesday - Friday - Tuesday
Wednesday - Saturday - Wednesday
Thursday - Sunday - Thursday
Friday - Monday - Friday
Saturday - Tuesday - Saturday
Sunday - Wednesday - Sunday

To help you keep track, each patch allows you to write the days on it.

Removing the patch is easy. Just peel it off and fold it over so the sticky side attaches to itself. This prevents any remaining hormones from being picked up by children or pets.

Always throw the patch away, and don’t flush it down the toilet. After the patch has been removed it might leave some glue on the skin. This will fall off over time, or you can remove it with soap and water or baby oil.

On occasion, the patch you’re using might come off. If this happens, replace it with a patch of the same type and remove it when the previous patch was due to be replaced. It’s for this reason that it’s recommended that you always keep a spare pack of HRT patches in reserve.

If you forget to change the patch on its due date, just change it as soon as you remember and stick to the original schedule. This may mean you’ll experience some bleeding like you would during your period.

The most common side effect is a rash where the patch has been placed, and this affects around one in ten women.

Other common side effects (affecting less than one in ten patients) include depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, an upset stomach, aches and pains, weight gain, heavy or painful periods and water retention.

Weight changes are commonly reported when using hormonal treatments such as HRT and oral contraceptives. In truth, there is no evidence to suggest that weight gain is a side effect of these treatments.

In fact, weight loss has been shown to occur in women who are obese, as well as having a positive impact on insulin levels in type 2 diabetes.^[2]

If you experience any symptoms of the following, you should contact your clinician immediately: breast cancer, endometrial cancer or hyperplasia, ovarian cancer, blood clots and strokes, and heart disease.

Memory loss has also been reported in women over the age of 65. If you have any concerns about memory loss whilst taking Evorel Sequi, let your clinician know.

Most allergic reactions occur on the skin where the patch is placed and are not serious. In rare cases, there might be a more serious reaction, which will need immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include a sudden swelling of the face, mouth, throat and tongue, difficulties breathing, and severe rashes or hives.

Evorel Conti patches form part of the treatment with Evorel Sequi. But they’re also used as a standalone treatment for women who no longer have their period, as opposed to Sequi, which is used during the perimenopause (as you’re going through the hormonal changes).

Oestrogen only HRT is only prescribed if you have had a hysterectomy (your womb removed). This is because without the other hormone, progesterone, your risk of womb cancer is increased.

Alternatives to the patch include tablets, gels and implants. Tablets, such as Kliofem, are as common as patches and more suitable for women that have skin reactions to patches. Gels are also available, such as Sandrena. You may find that they’re a more discreet way of introducing the hormones to the body than the patch.

There are many Everol Sequi alternatives available and your prescribing clinician will be able to discuss these with you after you’ve filled in the online questionnaire.

It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but a healthy lifestyle really can help manage symptoms of the menopause. Changes can be simple, such as a healthy diet and exercise. While this will not prevent symptoms from occurring, it can have a significant, positive effect on some women.

Most of the alternative therapies for HRT not only don’t work, they can also interact with other medications and cause health issues. If you’re thinking about using an alternative treatment, ask your clinician for their advice to be clear on whether it presents any health risks.