Kliovance

Kliovance is a tablet used for hormone replacement therapy. If you're experiencing menopause and it's been at least a year since your last natural period, it can help ease symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings. Additionally, it helps lower the risk of osteoporosis, which can increase during menopause.

Kliovance is a combined HRT, meaning it contains two types of hormones, and it's intended for women who still have their uterus (in other words, those who haven't had a hysterectomy).

Kliovance is quite similar to another HRT tablet known as Kliofem. The key difference lies in the dosage: Kliovance contains about half the dose of Kliofem, making it more suitable for women who are more sensitive to hormones than usual.

Kliovance contains two hormones: estradiol and norethisterone. These are types of oestrogen and progestogen. Taking Kliovance helps to replenish your hormone levels as they decrease during menopause.

During menopause, it's the decrease in oestrogen levels that needs addressing. When these levels naturally decline, you might experience symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings, and your bones can gradually become weaker.

Progesterone is also provided because it helps balance the effects of oestrogen in the body. Having too much oestrogen on its own can raise the risk of issues with the lining of the womb, including cancer. That's why it's part of combined HRT, to help manage oestrogen levels.

In studies comparing women taking both estradiol and norethisterone acetate to those taking only estradiol, the risk of the womb lining becoming unusually thick (endometrial hyperplasia) was much lower for those on the combined treatment.

You can use Kliovance if you haven't had a hysterectomy and haven't had a natural period for at least a year. It's a type of combined continuous HRT, suitable for those who are 'postmenopausal'. If you're 'perimenopausal' (meaning your last period was less than a year ago), you would typically be advised to take sequential HRT instead. With sequential HRT, the hormones in the pill vary throughout the month, whereas in continuous HRT, they remain constant.

Kliovance could be beneficial for you if you've experienced side effects with higher dose HRT tablets, as it offers a milder dose.

Essentially, Kliovance is a milder dose compared to Kliofem. If you've used Kliofem and it was effective but caused some minor side effects, moving to Kliovance might help you find a better balance.

Kliovance is available in just one dosage, the 0.5/1mg tablet, containing 0.5mg of norethisterone and 1mg of estradiol. There is a stronger version called Kliofem, which has twice the amount of each, with 1mg of norethisterone and 2mg of estradiol. The choice between them largely depends on how well your menopause symptoms are managed and your sensitivity to oestrogens.

In clinical trials, 87% of women who took Kliovance for two years either increased their bone density or maintained it.

This means it was effective for most women in lowering their risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, it helped reduce bleeding or spotting, with 90% of women experiencing none in the first 9 to 12 months of use.

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Kliovance and Kliofem are basically the same medication, just in different strengths. Kliofem is the stronger version, with twice the dose of Kliovance. You might start with Kliofem after changing from sequential HRT, and then switch to Kliovance as your dose is reduced towards the end of your treatment. Alternatively, if you've experienced side effects with Kliofem, your doctor might suggest switching to Kliovance.

You'll need a prescription for Kliovance. This allows a doctor to ensure it's the appropriate and safe treatment for you. Typically, when you're on Kliovance, you'll have check-ups with your doctor every few months to see if it's effective. If it's not, they might recommend trying a different HRT pill.