You aren’t alone—many women experience hot flashes during menopause

Most women go through menopause sometime between the ages of 40 and 58, and the most common bothersome symptom is a hot flash.6,7 A hot flash episode generally lasts 1 to 5 minutes, and during this time heart rate may increase and skin temperatures may rise noticeably.6 Most women experience hot flashes for 3 to 5 years before they begin to diminish.7

You can make informed decisions
about therapy

Although the exact cause of a hot flash has not been determined, it is likely that a drop in estrogen associated with menopause may play a role.6,8

  • Estrogen therapy is the most frequently prescribed treatment for moderate to severe hot flashes—a variety of estrogen types, delivery systems, and dosage strengths provide you with the opportunity to find the best option for your needs
    • Estrogen is commonly delivered orally (tablet form) or transdermally (through the skin via a gel, patch, or emulsion)7
    • Estrogen therapies that enter through the skin avoid having to circulate through the liver, so lower doses can be given8

You can make lifestyle changes that may control symptoms
  • Identify and avoid hot flash triggers: hot drinks, hot or spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette smoking
  • Exercise regularly to reduce stress and help you get a better night's sleep
  • Stay cool during the day and night:
    • Cool down with a fan or air conditioner
    • Dress in light cotton clothing
    • Use layered bedding
    • Keep cool water at your bedside to sip if you awaken during sleep
  • Practice paced respiration: take slow, deep, rhythmic breaths

         
 
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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®.

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

©2008 Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., Maple Grove, MN 55369