About Menopause

So, it’s happening to you too. Well, you’re in good company. Menopause affects all women at some point in their lives, yet each woman’s experience is uniquely her own.1

Natural menopause is confirmed when 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period have passed
Menopause occurs naturally when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, but it may also occur when the uterus and ovaries are surgically removed (total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy)
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 58, with the average age being around 51, but it may occur earlier or later
Today, most women will live at least one-third of their lives after menopause

Reaching menopause is a gradual process—and it may have even started when you were in your late 30s, even though symptoms didn’t appear until much later.

Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase that introduces the start of menopause. The time it starts and stops varies from woman to woman, but it’s not until your mid- to late 40s when you may begin experiencing menopausal signs and symptoms. It’s possible to conceive during this time, although it may be difficult. This phase may last 6 years or longer.
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 58; average age is 51. Menopause can occur earlier or late.
Postmenopause refers to the years after menopause.

So, What’s Going On?

Many of the symptoms you may be experiencing are a result of the changes that are going on inside your body. As the levels of estrogen decrease, you may notice a change in your menstrual cycle.1

Your once normal, predictable menstrual cycle may now be somewhat irregular:

Your cycle may become longer or shorter, or be skipped completely1
When you do menstruate, bleeding patterns may also change; bleeding may be heavier or lighter than what you have experienced previously1

These irregularities in your menstrual cycle may continue until the cycles eventually cease altogether and menopause is reached. As a result of these changes, you may experience a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms and complaints.1

As challenging as menopause may seem at first, it’s important to remember that you are not going through it alone. Talking with family, friends, and most importantly your healthcare professional can help make the transition easier.

Don’t forget that other women are experiencing menopausal symptoms right now too, and many of them think of menopause as a positive phase of their lives: freedom from birth control and monthly periods, a chance to improve health practices, and a time to enhance their sense of well-being.

Important Safety Information for Patients

The following are not all the possible risks for Divigel®. Please read the full Patient Information leaflet and talk to your healthcare provider.

Estrogens increase the chance of getting cancer of the uterus. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause. In general, the addition of a progestin is recommended for women with a uterus to reduce the chance of getting cancer of the uterus.

Do not use estrogens, with or without progestins, to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots.

Do not use estrogens, with or without progestins, to prevent dementia. Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your risk of dementia.

Do not use estrogen products, including Divigel®, if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke or heart attack in the past year, currently have or have had blood clots, currently have or have had liver problems, are allergic to any Divigel® ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

The most common side effects for all estrogen products are headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss. The less common but serious side effects include breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, stroke, heart attack, blood clots, dementia, gallbladder disease, and ovarian cancer.

In Divigel® clinical trials, the most common side effects were inflammation of the nasal passages and pharynx, upper respiratory tract infection, vaginal yeast infection, breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms that concern you.

Estrogen products should be used at the lowest dose possible for your treatment and only as long as needed. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Divigel®.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, call 1-800-654-2299.