Tibolone

What is kind of medication is Tibolone? – Tibolone has a brand name of 'Livial' and is a prescription medication similar to combined HRT. Tibolone is a synthetic chemical formed from the Mexican yam. Tibolone is what is known as a bioidentical hormone as it is made from a plant source and marketed as similar or identical to human hormones. Some practitioners think bioidentical hormones are safer as well as a more natural alternative to ‘standard’ HRT.

Why is Tibolone used during the menopause? – the menopause causes a change in the female body’s sex hormone balance which is what stops her from having periods. The ovaries no longer produce as much oestrogen as they did and they stop releasing an egg each month. This means that once the menopause has taken place a woman will no longer be fertile and so cannot have a baby naturally. The changes in hormone levels can cause several symptoms, which Tibolone can help treat.

How does Tibolone work? – Tibolone is used to replace the female sex hormones. One pill is taken every day and once it is ingested, it is converted into three substances which act like the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. In the brain, Tibolone acts like oestrogen which prevents hot flushes while in the bones it prevents bone loss and the onset of osteoporosis. Tibolone also helps to prevent vaginal dryness. In the womb, Tibolone acts like progesterone to stop a female from having periods. It does this by preventing the growth of the endometrium. A woman’s mood can also be lifted by Tibolone because when it acts like testosterone it can improve the way she feels as well as restoring her sex drive.

You can reorder Tibolone quickly and easily using Superdrug's Online Doctor service – To order Tibolone you will need to follow these steps:

• You will need to fill out our online questionnaire
• Your answers will be submitted to one of our doctors
• Our doctor will review your answers and assess your suitability for Tibolone
• One approved, your medicine will be sent directly to you or you can collect it from your local Post Office if you would prefer

There are several advantages to using our service, including:

• You don’t need to leave home to get a prescription
• If you feel embarrassed about asking for HRT then ordering from us is a great alternative
• It’s quick, simple and effective
• It fits around your life – no need to make adjustments like leaving work early

Make sure wherever you buy online, it's regulated properly – if you buy Tibolone online but not from us, make sure the company is a regulated service. You should only ever order from a company that uses qualified doctors or has a licence. If you buy from unregulated services, you could put your health in danger.

If you want to start taking Tibolone – you can get started on Tibolone treatment by making an appointment with your GP and they can help you begin your treatment for menopause symptoms.

How to take Tibolone – Tibolone is provided in 2.5 mg doses. You take one 2.5mg tablet every day. Tibolone can be taken at any time during the day, but you should try to take your dose at the same time every day. It is a good idea to choose a time you are most likely to remember and you can take it before or after a meal. 

To get the best effects from Tibolone – there are some things you can do to help, including:

• Having regular check-ups to make sure it is working well
• Have regular breast check-ups and screening as well as cervical smears
• Exercise, which stimulates the cells which produce bones, strengthens bone themselves, and helps to slow down bone loss
• Quit smoking
• Reduce your alcohol especially if you drink more than 2 units per day

Forgetting doses – when taking Tibolone it is essential that you do not forget to take your daily dose. If you do forget to take it, take it as soon as you remember. If it is more than 12 hours late just skip the dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose. 

Taking too much Tibolone – if you do overdose, it is unlikely that 2 tablets will do you any major harm. Instead, you may experience nausea, vomiting or vaginal bleeding. If this is abnormally bad or you experience any other symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately. 

Plan for upcoming surgeries – if you are due to have surgery then you need to tell your surgeon that you are taking Tibolone. They may advise you to stop taking it up to 6 weeks before your operation to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Tibolone is a popular and effective treatment – Tibolone is commonly used to treat the symptoms of the menopause. Is is also used as a treatment for osteoporosis, when it affects women after the menopause. Tibolone has been shown to be well-tolerated by women who have participated in clinical trials. It also produces lower rates of bleed/spotting episodes when compared with other forms of HRT. 

Tibolone has similar results to other HRTs – the risks associated with taking Tibolone are like the risks associated with other HRT treatments in people aged 60 and under. A study conducted in 2002, claimed that Tibolone reduced the risk of heart disease and so may have protective properties. However, this is yet to be scientifically proven. 

There are some symptoms that Tibolone may be slightly less effective for – some studies state that Tibolone is less effective than combined hormone replacement therapy when reducing symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.

Risk of side effects – Tibolone, like most medicines, can cause side effects, like:

• Breast, stomach and pelvic pain
• Thrush
• Vaginal bleeding
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Acne
• Inflammation 

Long-term health effects – there are also some health risks associated with taking Tibolone. For example, it is thought it may increase your chance of breast, ovarian and womb cancer. It may also increase the chance of blood clot formation. 

When to seek emergency help – if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consult your doctor straight away:

• Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes
• Increased blood pressure, leading to headaches, fatigue, and dizziness
• Migraine-like headaches
• Painful and red legs
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing