Which Femoston is right for me?

If you’re still having periods or are in the first year after menopause, you should take Femoston 1/10 or 2/10If you’ve had no periods for over a year, you should take Femoston Conti 1/5

Why does one cause bleeding and the other doesn’t?

Sequential regimens mimic a natural cycle and therefore do cause monthly bleeds. Continuous regimens aim for no bleeding by keeping hormone levels steady. Sometimes when you are adjusting to a new hormonal medication you can experience bleeding irregularly. This should settle within 3-6 months, but speak to your clinician if you are worried about this. If this happens for over 6 months, your clinician will recommend some tests to investigate the cause of this.

Does Femoston cause weight gain?

There is no evidence that HRT causes weight gain. Weight changes are more likely due to metabolism slowing with age, or changes to lifestyle, diet and exercise. Some people experience mild fluid retention, or bloating, when starting a new medication - this should go within 3 months.

How long can I take Femoston for?

This depends on your symptoms, risk profile, and preferences. Most people are reviewed yearly to assess ongoing need.

Femoston 1/10 and 2/10; sequential (cyclical) HRT

Recommended for:People who are perimenopausal (still having periods or less than 12 months since their last period)Those in early postmenopause (typically within 12 months of their final period)These regimens mimic a menstrual cycle and produce a predictable monthly withdrawal bleed.Femoston 1/10:Days 1–14: White tablets – 1 mg oestradiolDays 15–28: Grey tablets – 1 mg oestradiol + 10 mg dydrogesteroneFemoston 2/10:Days 1–14: Brick red tablets – 2 mg oestradiolDays 15–28: Yellow tablets – 2 mg oestradiol + 10 mg dydrogesteroneA monthly bleed is expected during the progestogen phase.

Femoston Conti 1/5 – continuous combined HRT

Recommended for:People who are postmenopausal (12+ months since their last natural period)Those seeking a bleed-free HRT regimenThis formulation delivers the same dose daily without a cycle, aiming to prevent bleeding altogether.Femoston Conti 1/5:Take 1 tablet daily – 1 mg oestradiol + 5 mg dydrogesteroneNo switching between tablets or phasesNo scheduled bleeding — occasional spotting may occur in the first few months but usually settles. Continuous combined HRT should not be used in people who are still having periods or are less than 12 months post-menopause, as it may lead to unpredictable bleeding.

Femoston - the benefits and how to use it

Femoston is a tablet form of hormone replacement therapy. It provides both the progesterone and oestrogen parts of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in a single daily tablet.

In this article learn about the benefits of Femoston, how it compares to other types of HRT, and how to take it.

Medically reviewed by Dr Zahra Khan

MBBS, MSc (Dist)

Updated on 6th August 2025

What is Femoston?

Femoston is a combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) available in sequential and continuous forms, prescribed for people who still have a womb. It contains:

Oestradiol – a body-identical oestrogen that relieves menopause symptoms
Dydrogesterone – a progestogen that protects the womb lining from thickening

When oestrogen is taken without progestogen, it can cause the endometrium (womb lining) to thicken, increasing the risk of cancer. The dydrogesterone in Femoston counteracts this, keeping the lining healthy.

Femoston comes in three formulations:

Femoston 1/10 – sequential (low dose)
Femoston 2/10 – sequential (higher dose)
Femoston Conti 1/5 – continuous combined

Your clinician will recommend the most appropriate version based on whether you're perimenopausal (still having periods or irregular cycles) or postmenopausal (no periods for 12+ months).

Femoston may be right for you if:

You need combined HRT (you have a womb)
You want relief from hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low mood, or poor sleep
You prefer a tablet-based HRT instead of patches or gels
You want a predictable bleeding pattern or a bleed-free option, depending on your stage

It provides flexibility:

Sequential regimens for perimenopausal or early postmenopausal stages
Continuous combined regimens for established postmenopause

Femoston uses body-identical oestradiol, which mimics the hormone naturally produced by your body and is often well tolerated.

Frequently asked questions about Femoston

1 Eases hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness

2 May improve sleep and energy levels

3 Protects the womb from the effects of oestrogen

4 Helps prevent osteoporosis if other treatments aren’t suitable

5 Offers choice: monthly bleeding or bleed-free depending on your stage

Understanding the different types of Femoston

How to use Femoston

Instructions for use

Everything you need to know to safely use Femoston.

Femoston - the benefits and how to use it

What is Femoston?

Benefits of Femoston

How to use Femoston

Femoston 1/10 or 2/10 (Sequential)

Femoston Conti 1/5 (Continuous)