A brand new skin spray can help women through the menopause.
Results just back from a clinical trial of Evamist show that it relieves hot flushes by 80% when used daily.
It tackles a major symptom of the menopause, using the female hormone oestrogen, absorbed directly through the skin.
The Australia-based pharmaceutical company, Acrux, uses its unique technology for drug delivery through the skin.
Positive results from the US Phase 3 trial means the company is seeking marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. American women are to be able to use the spray late 2007, followed Europe and UK licensing.
457 menopausal women participated in the trials at health clinics in the US. They used Evamist daily for 12 weeks, with 1-3 doses a day or a dummy spray.
Three sprays were found to be the most effective and reduced the average number of hot flushes from 10.7 a day to 2.3. There was also a reduction in symptoms as well.
The easy-to-use spray administers a dose of estradiol, a natural oestrogen, via the skin. It is then released into the bloodstream over 24 hours.
The new spray can be an option for women who suffer from hot flushes, with resultant sleeplessness and fatigue, yet they do not want to use more normal forms of HRT .
