Tibolone
Tibolone is a hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women, and Tibofem 2.5 mg tablets are the only tibolone product listed here. It treats Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and protects against bone thinning after menopause.
Key points
- Breast cancer risk rises significantly at the 2.5 mg dose, becoming apparent within 3 years and increasing with duration of use.
- Tibolone is a synthetic steroid (ATC G03CX01) used only more than one year after menopause, and for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis prevention in women who cannot take other approved bone medicines.
- It increases the risk of ischaemic stroke from the first year of treatment, an effect that grows stronger with older age.
How does Tibolone work?
Tibolone is a synthetic steroid that acts like oestrogen in some tissues but not others. Over two years it lowers HDL cholesterol by about 22% while leaving LDL unchanged, and it thickens the womb lining. That last effect is why any irregular bleeding must be investigated before treatment begins. Tibolone is one option within Menopause & HRT, alongside conventional oestrogen and progesterone combinations.