SHAYK HRT TREATMENTS SAFETY INFORMATION
This page provides important safety information about the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments available through Shayk.
Please read this information carefully and discuss any questions or concerns with your Shayk provider during your consultation.
Estradiol Patch
Estradiol patches deliver bioidentical estrogen through the skin continuously over a set interval, typically changed every 3 to 4 days or once weekly depending on your prescription.
Who it may be right for:
Women who prefer a low-maintenance, set-and-forget application.
Women with GI sensitivities who may not tolerate oral estrogen.
Women seeking steady, consistent hormone levels without daily dosing.
Common side effects:
Skin irritation, redness, or itching at the application site.
Breast tenderness or swelling.
Bloating or mild nausea during the adjustment period.
Headache.
Important safety information:
Do not apply to broken, irritated, or oily skin. Rotate application sites with each change.
Avoid applying near the breasts or waistband where friction may loosen the patch.
If the patch falls off, apply a new one and continue on your original schedule.
Tell your provider if you smoke, have a history of blood clots, stroke, liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or certain hormone-sensitive cancers before starting.
Estradiol is not a contraceptive and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden vision changes.
Severe leg pain or swelling (possible signs of a blood clot).
Sudden severe headache or confusion.
Estradiol Gel
Estradiol gel is a topical hormone applied once daily to the skin, typically on the upper arm or inner thigh. It absorbs quickly and delivers a consistent daily dose of bioidentical estrogen.
Who it may be right for:
Women who prefer flexible, daily control over their dosing.
Women who want to avoid patches and the adhesive that comes with them.
Women who are comfortable with a quick daily routine.
Common side effects:
Temporary skin irritation at the application site.
Breast tenderness.
Bloating or fluid retention, especially in the early weeks.
Mild headache or mood changes during the adjustment period.
Important safety information:
Apply to clean, dry skin and allow the gel to dry fully before dressing or physical contact with others ā transfer of gel to children, men, or pets can cause unintended hormonal effects.
Do not apply to your face, breasts, or vaginal area.
Wash hands thoroughly after application.
Tell your provider if you have a history of blood clots, stroke, liver conditions, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or certain hormone-sensitive cancers.
Estradiol gel is not a contraceptive.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden vision changes.
Severe leg swelling or pain.
Signs of a stroke including facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech.
Estradiol Tablets
Oral estradiol tablets are taken once daily and are one of the most commonly prescribed forms of estrogen therapy.
Who it may be right for:
Women new to HRT looking for a straightforward starting point.
Women comfortable with a daily pill routine.
Women who prefer an established, widely studied delivery method.
Common side effects:
Nausea, especially when taken on an empty stomach.
Breast tenderness or swelling.
Headache.
Bloating or fluid retention.
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding in the early months.
Important safety information:
Take at the same time each day for consistent hormone levels.
Oral estrogen is processed through the liver, which may slightly increase certain proteins associated with clotting risk ā your provider will account for this in your individual assessment.
Tell your provider if you have a history of blood clots, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver conditions, migraines with aura, or certain hormone-sensitive cancers.
Women with significant clotting risk may be better suited to a transdermal option (patch or gel).
Estradiol tablets are not a contraceptive.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or vision changes.
Severe abdominal pain.
Leg pain or swelling that comes on suddenly.
Estradiol Vaginal Cream
Estradiol vaginal cream is a locally applied low-dose estrogen treatment used to address genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM) ā including vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during sex. Because it is applied locally, very little estrogen is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Who it may be right for:
Women whose primary symptoms are vaginal or urinary rather than systemic (hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood).
Women who are not candidates for systemic HRT but need local relief.
Women using systemic HRT who still experience vaginal dryness or discomfort.
Common side effects:
Mild vaginal discharge.
Local irritation or burning, especially in the first few uses.
Breast tenderness (rare at low doses).
Spotting (uncommon at standard doses).
Important safety information:
Use the applicator or fingertip as directed ā do not use more than prescribed, as overuse can increase systemic absorption.
Avoid using with latex condoms or diaphragms, as the cream may weaken latex.
Tell your provider about any unexplained vaginal bleeding before starting.
Because systemic absorption is minimal, vaginal cream carries a lower systemic risk profile than oral or transdermal estrogen ā but it is not risk-free and still requires a provider evaluation.
Vaginal cream is not a contraceptive.
Seek medical attention if you experience:
Unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Worsening pelvic pain.
Signs of allergic reaction including severe itching, rash, or swelling.
Progesterone (Add-On)
Progesterone is prescribed as an add-on for women who have not had a hysterectomy. Estrogen alone can cause the uterine lining to thicken over time, which raises the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. Progesterone balances this effect and is an essential component of a complete HRT regimen for women with a uterus. Shayk offers oral micronized progesterone (bioidentical) as the standard add-on if needed.
Who it is for:
Any Shayk member with an intact uterus who is prescribed systemic estrogen (patch, gel, or tablets).
Women seeking the additional sleep and mood benefits that progesterone is associated with.
Common side effects:
Drowsiness ā progesterone is often taken at bedtime for this reason.
Mood changes, including low mood or irritability, in some women during the adjustment period.
Breast tenderness.
Bloating or mild cramping.
Irregular spotting in the first few months.
Important safety information:
Take progesterone at bedtime to minimize drowsiness.
Do not stop taking progesterone without consulting your provider, even if you feel your symptoms have resolved ā endometrial protection requires consistent use.
Tell your provider if you have a history of depression, liver disease, blood clots, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Progesterone may interact with certain medications including sedatives and antifungals ā disclose all medications and supplements to your provider.
Progesterone is not a contraceptive.
Seek medical attention if you experience:
Sudden severe depression or mood changes.
Unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Signs of an allergic reaction.
GENERAL SAFETY NOTES
All HRT treatments available through Shayk are FDA-approved and prescribed by a licensed provider based on your individual health profile.
The following applies across all treatment types:
HRT is not appropriate for everyone. Your provider will review your full health history before prescribing.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, do not start HRT without speaking to a provider.
The 2002 WHI study raised concerns about HRT that have since been significantly recontextualized by decades of follow-up research. The current medical consensus, supported by the Menopause Society and leading endocrinologists, is that HRT is safe and effective for most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset.
Routine follow-up with your Shayk provider is part of your subscription and is encouraged ā your dosage may need adjustment as your body responds to treatment.
Always disclose all medications, supplements, and pre-existing conditions during your intake.
For questions about your specific prescription or safety concerns, message your care team directly through the patient portal or email care@tryshayk.com.
EMERGENCY
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not wait for a response from your Shayk care team in an urgent situation.
YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING...
everything you want to know about hrt, shayk, and what to expect.
š”ļø UNDERSTANDING PERI/MENOPAUSE
what symptoms does hrt actually help with?
yes ā and that's not dismissive, it's actually good news. estrogen receptors exist throughout your entire body: your brain, skin, bones, heart, bladder, and vaginal tissue. when estrogen drops, all of those systems feel it. mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, joint pain, low libido, hair thinning ā these aren't separate problems. they're all downstream of the same hormonal shift.
why do i feel so different? is this really just hormones?
yes ā and that's not dismissive, it's actually good news. estrogen receptors exist throughout your entire body: your brain, skin, bones, heart, bladder, and vaginal tissue. when estrogen drops, all of those systems feel it. mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, joint pain, low libido, hair thinning ā these aren't separate problems. they're all downstream of the same hormonal shift.
what symptoms does hrt actually help with?
the big ones: hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, low libido, joint pain, fatigue, and urinary symptoms. with longer-term use, hrt also protects against bone loss and supports cardiovascular health. most women notice a meaningful difference within 4ā8 weeks.
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