Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Taking Tibolone For Menopause Relief? NHS Warns Of Possible Health Risks

tibolone health risk

<span>Tibolone</span> is a form of hormone replacement therapy used to ease menopause symptoms and help protect against osteoporosis. While many women can take tibolone safely, there are certain groups who need to be cautious before starting it.

<h2><span rel="noindex">What Is Tibolone</span>?</h2>

Tibolone is a lab-made steroid prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy for women after menopause. It is used to ease symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness, and it also helps protect bones from thinning.

The medicine acts as a prodrug, which means it is broken down in the body into compounds that behave like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This allows it to provide a more balanced hormone effect without the need to take separate oestrogen and progestogen treatments.

According to the <span>NHS</span>, there are 12 key groups of people who should speak to a doctor before using tibolone. This includes women with unexplained vaginal bleeding, those with porphyria, and anyone with excessive thickening of the womb lining. The NHS advises that these conditions must be discussed with a healthcare professional before treatment begins.

<h2>Who Should Talk to a Doctor Before Taking Tibolone?</h2>

The NHS says you should seek medical advice before taking tibolone if you:

<ul><li>Have ever had an allergic reaction to tibolone or any other medicine</li><li>Have previously had breast cancer, are currently undergoing tests for breast cancer, or are considered at high risk due to family history</li><li>Have a cancer that responds to oestrogen, such as cancer of the womb lining, or are being tested for this</li><li>Have unexplained vaginal bleeding</li><li>Have untreated thickening of the womb lining known as endometrial hyperplasia</li><li>Have ever had a blood clot in a vein, including deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism</li><li>Have a condition that affects blood clotting, such as protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, or antithrombin deficiency</li><li>Have or recently had a condition caused by blocked arteries, including a heart attack, stroke, or angina</li><li>Have ever had liver disease and your liver tests have not returned to normal</li><li>Have a rare inherited condition called porphyria</li><li>Have rare inherited conditions such as galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption</li><li>Are pregnant or breastfeeding</li></ul>

<h2>What The NHS Says About How Tibolone Works?</h2>

Official NHS guidance explains that tibolone helps rebalance hormone levels after menopause. It can also be prescribed to help slow bone thinning, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

The NHS notes that tibolone works in a similar way to combined hormone replacement therapy that includes both oestrogen and progestogen. However, some studies suggest it may not be as effective as combined HRT, as it may not raise oestrogen levels to the same extent.

Tibolone is available only with a prescription and comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once a day. Women are advised that it can take up to three months before symptoms begin to improve.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Tibolone Possible Side Effects</span></h2>

Common side effects linked to tibolone include breast tenderness, vaginal irritation, and stomach pain. The NHS says these effects are usually mild and tend to settle within the first few months of treatment.

The NHS advises that tibolone is only suitable for women who have not had a period for more than a year and are considered postmenopausal. However, women who have had their ovaries surgically removed or who are taking gonadorelin analogues may be able to start tibolone straight away.

<h2>Tibolone: Medicines And Supplements To Be Careful With</h2>

Anyone taking other medicines should check with a doctor before starting tibolone, as it can affect how some drugs work. This includes herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements, as well as:

<ul><li>Medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin</li><li>Epilepsy medicines, including phenytoin and carbamazepine</li><li>Medicines used to treat tuberculosis, such as rifampicin</li></ul>

NHS guidance adds that it is not possible to confirm whether herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take alongside tibolone. These products are not tested in the same way as prescription medicines and are not routinely checked for how they interact with other treatments.

Because of this, the NHS stresses that it is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before combining tibolone with any other medicines or supplements.

<h2>What To Expect When Starting Treatment?</h2>

As with other forms of hormone therapy, tibolone takes time to work. Women are usually advised to take one tablet daily and allow several weeks, or up to three months, for symptoms to ease.

Side effects such as breast discomfort, vaginal irritation, or stomach pain may occur early on, but the NHS says these typically improve as the body adjusts to the treatment.

<strong>Disclaimer:</strong> This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Do not rely solely on this information to make decisions about your health.

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Tibolone is a form of hormone replacement therapy used to ease menopause symptoms and help protect against osteoporosis. While many women can take tibolone safely, there are certain groups who need to be cautious before starting it.What Is Tibolone?Tibolone is a lab-made steroid prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy for women after menopause. It is used to ease symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness, and it also helps protect bones from thinning.The medicine acts as a prodrug, which means it is broken down in the body into compounds that behave like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This allows it to provide a more balanced hormone effect without the need to take separate oestrogen and progestogen treatments.According to the NHS, there are 12 key groups of people who should speak to a doctor before using tibolone. This includes women with unexplained vaginal bleeding, those with porphyria, and anyone with excessive thickening of the womb lining. The NHS advises that these conditions must be discussed with a healthcare professional before treatment begins.Who Should Talk to a Doctor Before Taking Tibolone?The NHS says you should seek medical advice before taking tibolone if you:Have ever had an allergic reaction to tibolone or any other medicineHave previously had breast cancer, are currently undergoing tests for breast cancer, or are considered at high risk due to family historyHave a cancer that responds to oestrogen, such as cancer of the womb lining, or are being tested for thisHave unexplained vaginal bleedingHave untreated thickening of the womb lining known as endometrial hyperplasiaHave ever had a blood clot in a vein, including deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolismHave a condition that affects blood clotting, such as protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, or antithrombin deficiencyHave or recently had a condition caused by blocked arteries, including a heart attack, stroke, or anginaHave ever had liver disease and your liver tests have not returned to normalHave a rare inherited condition called porphyriaHave rare inherited conditions such as galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorptionAre pregnant or breastfeedingWhat The NHS Says About How Tibolone Works?Official NHS guidance explains that tibolone helps rebalance hormone levels after menopause. It can also be prescribed to help slow bone thinning, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis.The NHS notes that tibolone works in a similar way to combined hormone replacement therapy that includes both oestrogen and progestogen. However, some studies suggest it may not be as effective as combined HRT, as it may not raise oestrogen levels to the same extent.How Tibolone Is Taken?Tibolone is available only with a prescription and comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once a day. Women are advised that it can take up to three months before symptoms begin to improve.Tibolone Possible Side EffectsCommon side effects linked to tibolone include breast tenderness, vaginal irritation, and stomach pain. The NHS says these effects are usually mild and tend to settle within the first few months of treatment.The NHS advises that tibolone is only suitable for women who have not had a period for more than a year and are considered postmenopausal. However, women who have had their ovaries surgically removed or who are taking gonadorelin analogues may be able to start tibolone straight away.Tibolone: Medicines And Supplements To Be Careful WithAnyone taking other medicines should check with a doctor before starting tibolone, as it can affect how some drugs work. This includes herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements, as well as:Medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as warfarinEpilepsy medicines, including phenytoin and carbamazepineMedicines used to treat tuberculosis, such as rifampicinNHS guidance adds that it is not possible to confirm whether herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take alongside tibolone. These products are not tested in the same way as prescription medicines and are not routinely checked for how they interact with other treatments.Because of this, the NHS stresses that it is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before combining tibolone with any other medicines or supplements.What To Expect When Starting Treatment?As with other forms of hormone therapy, tibolone takes time to work. Women are usually advised to take one tablet daily and allow several weeks, or up to three months, for symptoms to ease.Side effects such as breast discomfort, vaginal irritation, or stomach pain may occur early on, but the NHS says these typically improve as the body adjusts to the treatment.Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Do not rely solely on this information to make decisions about your health.