Q. What is MENOSTAR estradiol transdermal system?

A. MENOSTAR is a clear estrogen patch that is only slightly bigger than the size of a dime. For appropriate women, MENOSTAR transdermal system can help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis by helping to keep your bones from becoming thinner and weaker. MENOSTAR helps prevent bone loss with a low dose of 17B-estradiol, an estrogen that is similar to the estrogen made by your body.

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Q. How is MENOSTAR different from other medications for preventing osteoporosis?

A. MENOSTAR transdermal system is unique because it is a low-dose estrogen therapy that is designed specifically to help prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. MENOSTAR increases your estrogen levels to an amount needed by your body to help prevent bone loss. With MENOSTAR you can stay active and feel confident that you are helping to reduce your chances of getting postmenopausal osteoporosis. Talk to your healthcare professional about your osteoporosis risk factors and whether MENOSTAR is the right therapy for you.

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Q. How is MENOSTAR different from other estrogen therapies (ET)?

A. HT is designed to help treat both the short-term symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, and the long-term health effects of menopause, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis. MENOSTAR is different from other hormone therapies because it was designed specifically to help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis in women after menopause who are at significant risk and for whom non-estrogen medications have been carefully considered. It is just enough to increase your estrogen level to an amount needed by your body to help prevent bone loss.

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Q. How is MENOSTAR different from a pill?

A. Because it is a transdermal estrogen patch, the estrogen in MENOSTAR goes directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the liver.

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Q. How do I use the MENOSTAR patch?

A. Each MENOSTAR patch should be worn for 1 full week (7 days). Once a week, apply a new transdermal estrogen patch to your skin on a clean, dry area below the belly button. The site where you apply this osteoporosis prevention medication to should not be oily, damaged, or irritated. Do not apply the MENOSTAR patch to your breasts. Also, avoid your waistline, since clothing may rub it off or loosen it. It’s important to make sure that the Menostar patch sticks firmly and evenly to your skin, especially around the edges. This helps to avoid any “patch lift.”

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Q. How often do I change the MENOSTAR patch?

A. The MENOSTAR patch only needs to be changed once a week. To do so, simply peel the used MENOSTAR estrogen patch away from your skin. Since it’s important to keep discarded patches away from children and pets, fold the used patch in half so it sticks to itself and can be safely thrown away. Place a new patch on a different clean, dry area below your belly button. The same spot on your skin should not be used again right away, but can be used the next time you change your patch, if you wish. If your MENOSTAR patch falls off, try to reapply it by pressing it firmly to another area of your lower stomach. If the patch will not stick completely to your skin, remove it and safely throw it away. Apply a new patch to a different area of the lower stomach. Only wear 1 MENOSTAR patch at a time to help prevent osteoporosis and weak bones.

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Q. Can I continue with my normal activities while wearing the MENOSTAR patch?

A. MENOSTAR estradiol transdermal system will not interfere with your daily activities. In fact, you can do all the things you did before you started using the MENOSTAR estrogen patch. After bathing, showering, or swimming check to make sure the patch is securely in place.

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Q. How long should I use the MENOSTAR patch?

A. To get the full benefits of bone protection and osteoporosis prevention, you must continue using the MENOSTAR patch for as long as your doctor recommends. You may not feel any different using MENOSTAR estradiol transdermal system, but your bones may. As with all medications, it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional if there is any interruption in this osteoporosis prevention treatment.

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Q. Will I need regular checkups while using MENOSTAR transdermal system?

A. While you are using the MENOSTAR patch, be sure to schedule routine exams with your healthcare professional to continue to monitor your uterine (womb) health and to assess your therapy. Use these appointments as an opportunity to help ensure that you are in the best possible health and to ask any questions you may have about osteoporosis treatment and prevention and the MENOSTAR patch. If you have a uterus, you should ask your healthcare professional about the recommended use of a progestin.

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Q. Will MENOSTAR cause me to have monthly bleeding?

A. Compared to placebo, MENOSTAR transdermal system did not increase bleeding in women after 1 year of use, with some increase toward the end of the second year. While you are using MENOSTAR be sure to schedule routine exams with your healthcare professional to continue to monitor your uterine (womb) health and assess your therapy.

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Please see the MENOSTAR Safety Information included on this web site.