Kliovance Side Effects: Everything You Need To Know

As you go through menopause, your ovaries will gradually produce less oestrogen. This has the effect of naturally stopping your menstrual cycle (meaning you will no longer be able to have children), but it can also cause some severe symptoms which may have a substantial impact on your day-to-day life.

Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments like Kliovance can be used to prevent and alleviate these menopausal symptoms. If you have been prescribed Kliovance, you’ll probably want to know more about the possible Kliovance side effects that you may encounter.

The side effects of Kliovance are usually mild and many users will not experience them at all. However, it is generally a good idea to learn more about any medicine before you start taking it, including any risks.

In this guide, we will look at the possible side effects of this HRT, including Kliovance weight gain, breakthrough bleeding and anything else you need to know.

Summary list of Kliovance side effects

All medicines may cause side effects, both mild or severe.

However, Kliovance is considered safe for users, and the benefits of taking Kliovance usually outweigh the side effects. Most people who use Kliovance will have an extremely positive experience with the HRT and will not encounter side effects.

Below is a summary list of the possible Kliovance side effects that users may experience:

• Headaches
• Fluid retention (bloating)
• Weight gain
• Vaginal inflammation or infection (thrush)
• Nausea
• Depression
• Breast problems (pain, tenderness, enlargement, swelling)
• Back pain
• Uterine fibroids (either an increase in size or the appearance of)
• Migraines (either new or worsening of existing condition)
• Hypersensitivity
• Mood changes such as nervousness
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Digestive issues such as flatulence
• Acne
• Hair loss
• Abnormal (male pattern) hair growth
• Leg cramps
• Blood clots in the blood vessels

As you can see, the possible side effects of Kliovance can vary from mild to more serious. However, it’s worth noting that the more severe side effects listed are very unusual and will not be experienced by the majority of users. Kliovance will generally have fewer side effects than other HRT medicines because it comes in a lower dosage.

This is not a definitive list; if you are worried about a possible Kliovance side effect that you think you may be experiencing and that we have not mentioned above, speak to your GP about your concerns.

Similarly, if you experience any severe, persistent or painful side effects or you are worried about potential side effects, consult your doctor for guidance.

Head to our Kliovance page to find out how real users find their experience of this particular HRT.

You can also read more information about how long Kliovance takes to work here.

More common side effects and symptoms

The most commonly reported Kliovance side effects are vaginal bleeding (irregular bleeding or spotting) and breast tenderness or pain.

These side effects may affect around 1 in 10 Kliovance users and usually occur during the three to six months of taking the HRT. Both main side effects should subside and disappear within this initial time period.

Below are some other fairly common Kliovance side effects that may occur:

• Headaches
• Fluid retention (bloating)
• Weight gain
• Vaginal inflammation or infection (thrush)
• Nausea
• Depression
• Breast swelling
• Back pain
• Uterine fibroids

These more common Kliovance HRT side effects usually occur at the start of taking the treatment, as your body adjusts to the hormone supplements.

However, they do not normally need medical attention and should subside in the first three to six months of taking the HRT. If they continue for longer, consult your GP or pharmacist.

Serious side effects and symptoms

Kliovance is normally recommended for patients who are more sensitive to hormone treatments and may have a higher risk of experiencing side effects. This particular HRT contains a lower dosage of hormones, which should prevent more severe side effects from happening.

Serious side effects of Kliovance tend to be very rare (affecting less than 1 user in 10,000). However, it is still worth knowing about these potential adverse effects.

Here is a list of serious side effects and their symptoms:

• Disturbance in liver function or liver disease (symptoms of which are the yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
• Increased blood pressure (symptoms include headaches, tiredness, and dizziness)
• Migraines or sudden, severe headaches appearing for the first time
• Sudden problems with your eyesight
• Blood clots in the blood vessels may lead to DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attacks (symptoms of this are painful swelling and redness of the legs, sudden chest pain, and difficulty breathing)
• Gallstones or gallbladder disease
• Painful/lumpy breasts (fibrocystic breast disease)
• Increase in the size of uterine fibroids
• Excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
• Increased risk of ovarian, endometrial and breast cancer

It is very unlikely that you will experience any of these serious side effects. However, if you notice any signs or symptoms of the above, stop taking Kliovance and seek medical attention immediately.

Similarly, if you feel like you are experiencing symptoms that are dangerous or life-threatening — even if they are not on this list — then seek medical help straight away.

It is important to regularly review any HRT treatment with your GP.

Kliovance weight gain & loss

Weight gain is listed as one of the common side effects of Kliovance, affecting between 1 to 10 users in 100.

However, it is worth noting that there is currently no clinical evidence to suggest weight changes are a result of using Kliovance, despite many people believing that HRT will make them gain weight.

Instead, it is more likely that weight changes are a natural result of going through menopause and ageing, rather than weight gain from Kliovance.

Weight gain tends to happen around the time of menopause; low oestrogen levels have been linked by recent research to weight gain. This decrease in hormones is thought to lead to a lower metabolic rate, increased appetite, and a build-up of fat.

Ageing is also a factor when it comes to weight gain, due to the loss of muscle mass, reduced activity levels, and a naturally slowing metabolism.

Rather than causing weight gain, it has been suggested that HRTs like Kliovance may even counteract weight gain caused by menopause by supplementing oestrogen levels in the body (and therefore helping to increase metabolism).

If you are concerned about Kliovance weight gain (or, on the other hand, Kliovance weight loss), then you can speak to your GP or pharmacist about your concerns. They may suggest further reducing your HRT dose. They may also have some helpful advice on lifestyle changes that can help to tackle weight gain, such as maintaining a healthy diet or exercising regularly.

Kliovance bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is listed as one of the more common side effects of Kliovance, affecting more than 1 in 10 users.

This is usually nothing to worry about — it is normally just a case of your body adjusting to the different hormone levels supplemented by Kliovance.

Bleeding tends to happen during the first three to six months of using the HRT as your body adjusts. During this time, you may notice breakthrough bleeding or spotting — irregular, inconsistent bleeding that may occur. This is normally light and not like having a period.

If you accidentally miss or delay a daily tablet, your chances of experiencing bleeding tend to increase. To avoid this, you should take a Kliovance tablet at the same time every day. Once you have finished one pack of 28 tablets, you should start the next pack immediately.

If you do forget to take a Kliovance tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you realise you’ve missed a dose when you are due to take the next one, you should not double your dose. This could have adverse effects.

Kliovance and periods

Taking Kliovance does not involve having a regular monthly bleed.

This is because Kliovance is a continuous combined HRT. This means that each daily tablet is exactly the same — containing both estradiol (a form of oestrogen) and norethisterone acetate (a form of progesterone). By taking a dose of both hormones every day, the hormones in your body remain at a consistent level and you will not have a menstrual cycle (i.e. experience periods).

For this reason, Kliovance is prescribed to patients who have already reached menopause but still suffer from difficult symptoms.

If you have started suffering from menopausal symptoms but still have some sort of menstrual cycle, you will be prescribed sequential HRT instead (also known as cyclical HRT) such as Elleste Duet.

This type of HRT entails switching between two types of tablets or patches, which release different hormones, mimicking the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. When you use a sequential HRT, you will generally experience a monthly withdrawal bleed, which will be like having a period.

Kliovance breakthrough bleeding concerns

Kliovance bleeding is normally nothing to worry about at all. You should notice that this subsides and stops within the first three to six months of beginning your HRT treatment.

However, you should see a doctor if you notice any of the below problems:

• You have been taking Kliovance for longer than six months and you are still experiencing bleeding
• Bleeding unexpectedly starts after you have been taking Kliovance for over six months
• Bleeding is heavy or painful
• You experience bleeding after you stop using Kliovance

Talk to your GP if you are concerned at all.

You should review any HRT with your GP at least once each year and have regular gynaecological checkups.

Kliovance and joint pain

Women going through menopause can experience stiff, aching joints, and joint pain. This mostly tends to affect the knees and hips, but can also affect the shoulders, neck, elbows, hands and fingers.

It is thought that joint pain during menopause is mainly down to falling oestrogen levels.

Oestrogen regulates fluid levels in the body, helping to reduce inflammation and lubricating joint tissues (like cartilage, tendons and ligaments).

When oestrogen levels naturally drop during menopause, this can increase inflammation and affect the flexibility and lubrication of joint tissues, causing stiffness and discomfort.

Taking an HRT like Kliovance can help to alleviate joint pain and discomfort; the hormone replacements in the tablets replenish your oestrogen deficiency, reducing inflammation in the joint tissues. Many women have found that Kliovance and similar HRT treatments have dramatically improved joint pain and stiffness.

Summary

Kliovance is a continuous combined type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopausal symptoms in women who have already reached menopause.

Kliovance tablets are taken daily and contain two active ingredients (estradiol and norethisterone) which emulate the female sex hormones, supplementing the decreasing hormone levels in the body and therefore alleviating difficult symptoms.

Kliovance side effects are unusual. The majority of users will have an extremely positive experience with this HRT. Side effects are usually mild and not serious; the most commonly reported side effects are breakthrough bleeding and tender breasts. Both of these side effects should subside within the initial three to six months of use.

Kliovance contains a lower dose of hormones compared to other HRT treatments, making it a good choice for patients who are more sensitive to hormones.

You can buy Kliovance from The Independent Pharmacy if you think it might be the right menopause for you. All you need to do is fill in our free online consultation form. Once you are approved by one of our qualified prescribers, we can issue Kliovance for next day delivery.

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects/
• https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/menopause-weight-gain-and-exercise-tips
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10759058
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181726.php
• https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/symptoms/joint-pain/