Climara Pro Patch Side Effects Exposed: The Truth About Weight Gain You Need to Know!

Climara Pro is a transdermal patch containing estradiol and levonorgestrel, two hormones prescribed as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women experiencing menopause. It aims to alleviate common menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, by delivering a continuous supply of hormones through the skin. While Climara Pro can significantly improve the quality of life for many women, it's crucial to understand its potential side effects, including the possibility of weight gain, and other risks associated with its use.

How Climara Pro Works

The Climara Pro patch is designed to release both estradiol and levonorgestrel continuously upon application to intact skin. Estradiol, a form of estrogen, helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Levonorgestrel, a progestin, is added to protect the lining of the uterus from the potential increased risk of endometrial cancer associated with estrogen-alone therapy in women with a uterus. The patch is typically applied to the lower abdomen, upper buttocks, or hip, avoiding areas prone to rubbing off, and is changed once a week.

Common Side Effects of Climara Pro

Like all medications, Climara Pro can cause side effects. It is important to note that individual experiences may vary. Some of the more commonly reported side effects include:

Skin Reactions: Redness, itching, or irritation at the application site.
Breast Pain or Tenderness: Similar to what can be experienced during menstruation.
Headaches: Generally mild and may subside on their own.
Nausea and Vomiting: Some users may experience gastrointestinal distress.
Bloating: Fluid retention can lead to a feeling of being bloated.
Mood Changes: Mood swings or irritability.
Changes in Menstrual Periods: Irregular bleeding or spotting, particularly during the initial months of treatment.

Weight Gain and Climara Pro

Weight gain is listed as a possible side effect of Climara Pro. The relationship between Climara Pro and weight gain is complex and can be attributed to several factors:

Fluid Retention: HRT, including Climara Pro, can cause fluid retention, leading to bloating and a perceived increase in weight.
Metabolic Changes: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can affect metabolism, potentially contributing to weight gain.
Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle changes during the menopausal transition, such as decreased physical activity and changes in dietary habits, can also play a role in weight gain.

It is important to note that not everyone using Climara Pro will experience weight gain. Individual responses to the medication can vary. If you are concerned about weight gain while using Climara Pro, it is recommended to discuss it with your healthcare provider.

Read also: Understanding Climara Patch

Serious Risks and Considerations

Beyond the more common side effects, Climara Pro carries some serious risks that patients and prescribers need to consider:

Cardiovascular Disorders: Estrogen plus progestin therapy has been linked to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported these increased risks in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo.
Probable Dementia: The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) combined with MPA (2.5 mg), relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women.
Breast Cancer: The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. In the same substudy, invasive breast cancers were larger, more likely to be node positive, and diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
Endometrial Cancer: There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens. Adding a progestogen to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer.
Ovarian Cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective epidemiology studies found that women using hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms had an increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Given these risks, it is crucial to discuss the benefits and risks of estrogen plus progestogen therapy with your doctor, taking into account your individual risk profile. Estrogens with or without progestogens should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

Contraindications

Climara Pro is not suitable for everyone. Contraindications include:

History of blood clots in the legs or lungs.
History of heart attack, blood clot, or stroke.
Severe liver disease or liver tumors.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
History of breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers.
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.

Important Precautions and Monitoring

If you are prescribed Climara Pro, regular medical check-ups are essential to monitor your progress and detect any unwanted effects. These visits may be scheduled every 3 to 6 months and may include pelvic exams, breast exams, and mammograms.

It is also important to be aware of potential warning signs and to contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

Confusion, difficulty speaking, or double vision.
Severe headache or sudden loss of vision.
Sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine.
An inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles.
Unusual vaginal bleeding.
Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Before undergoing any surgery, including dental surgery, or emergency treatment, inform the medical professional that you are using Climara Pro.

Alternatives to Climara Pro

For women seeking alternatives to Climara Pro, several options are available, including:

Lifestyle Modifications: Diet and exercise can help manage menopausal symptoms and maintain a healthy weight.
Non-Hormonal Medications: Certain medications can help alleviate specific symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness.
Other HRT Options: Different types of HRT with varying dosages and delivery methods may be more suitable for some women.
Estrogen-Alone Therapy: For women without a uterus.

How to Use Climara Pro Patch

To ensure the proper use of Climara Pro Patch, it is important you follow the instructions provided by your doctor or healthcare provider. Normally, it is pretty simple to use. Before and after applying the patch, wash your hands with soap and water. Keep the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to use it. Carefully tear open the wrapper without cutting it to avoid any damage on the patch. Only use an intact patch, avoiding any that have been accidentally cut. Apply the patch to the previously cleaned and dried skin area, like your lower abdomen or upper buttocks, and press the patch firmly for about 10 seconds. Avoid skin areas with oil, lotion, or powder, as well as the breasts, any cut or broken skin, and spots prone to rubbing off. When changing the patch, always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Patch should be changed once per week on the same day to maintain a steady dosage. This ensures optimal efficacy throughout your treatment. If you forget to wear or change a patch, don’t worry! Simply apply one as soon as you can. However, if it’s almost time for your next patch, wait until then and skip the one you missed. Remember, there’s no need to use extra patches to make up for a missed dose. In case a patch falls off, no problem! Just place it back in a different skin area. If the patch doesn’t stick properly, go ahead and put on a new one.

tags: #climara #pro #patch #weight #loss