Menopause (sometimes called “the change of life”) is a
normal time in a woman’s life when her period stops. During menopause, a
woman’s body makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Lower
hormone levels may lead to symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal
dryness along with thin bones.
Some women choose to treat their menopause symptoms with
hormone medicines sometimes called Hormone Therapy. This booklet lists some
basic information about the FDA-approved hormone medicines for menopause. Use
this booklet to help you talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone
medicines are right for you.
Do not take hormone therapy if you:
ü have
problems with vaginal bleeding
ü have
or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
ü have
or have had a blood clot, stroke or heart attack
ü have
a bleeding disorder
ü have
liver disease
ü have
allergic reactions to hormone medicine
Menopause Hormone
Therapy
There are different kinds of hormone medicines used
during and after menopause:
ü Estrogen-Only
Medicines
ü Progestin-Only
Medicines (These medicines are taken along with Estrogen Medicines.)
ü Combination
Estrogen and Progestin Medicines
ü Combination
Estrogen and Hormone Medicines
Side Effects
Hormone medicines have side effects. Serious health
problems can happen in women who take menopause hormone therapy.
ü For
some women, hormone medicines may raise their chances of blood clots, heart
attacks, strokes and breast cancer.
ü For
some women who are 65 years old or older, hormone medicines may raise their
chances of dementia.
ü For
women who still have their uterus, taking estrogen-only medicines raises their
chance of getting cancer of the lining of the uterus or endometrial cancer.
These women need to take progestin to prevent endometrial cancer.
Estrogen-Only Medicines
Brand Name
|
Generic Name
|
Alora
|
Estradiol
|
Cenestin
|
Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens
|
Climara
|
Estradiol
|
Delestrogen
|
Estradiol Valerate
|
Divigel
|
Estradiol
|
Elestrin
|
Estradiol
|
Enjuvia
|
Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens
|
Esclim
|
Estradiol
|
Estrace
|
Estradiol
|
Estraderm
|
Estradiol
|
Estrasorb
|
Estradiol
|
Estring
|
Estradiol
|
EstroGel
|
Estradiol
|
Evamist
|
Estradiol
|
Femring
|
Estradiol Acetate
|
Femtrace
|
Estradiol Acetate
|
Menest
|
Esterified Estrogen
|
Menostar
(only used to prevent osteoporosis) |
Estradiol
|
Minivelle
|
Estradiol
|
Ogen
|
Estropipate
|
Ortho-Est
|
Estropipate
|
Premarin
|
Conjugated Estrogens
|
Vagifem
|
Estradiol
|
Vivelle
|
Estradiol
|
Vivelle-Dot
|
Estradiol
|
Estrogen-Only Medicines Precautions and Side Effects
Do not use if you:
·
have unusual vaginal bleeding
·
have or have had certain cancers such as breast
cancer or uterine cancer
·
have or have had blood clots in the legs or
lungs
·
have a bleeding disorder
·
have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·
have liver problems
·
have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
·
think you are pregnant
Serious Side Effects:
·
Stroke or blood clots
·
Endometrial Cancer in women who still have their
uterus and who do not use progestin with estrogen-only medicines
·
Dementia in women 65 years and older
·
Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride
(cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·
Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the
eye
·
Liver Problems
·
High Blood Pressure
·
Severe allergic reactions
Less Serious, Common Side Effects
·
Headaches
·
Painful or tender breasts
·
Vaginal spotting
·
Stomach cramps/ Bloating
·
Nausea and vomiting
·
Hair loss
·
Fluid retention
·
Vaginal yeast infection
Progestin-Only Medicines
Brand Name
|
Generic Name
|
Prometrium
|
Micronized Progesterone
|
Provera
|
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
|
Progestin-Only Medicines Use
·
Women who still have their uterus should also
take an Estrogen-Only medicine to lower the chance of getting endometrial
cancer.
Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines
Brand Name
|
Generic Name
|
Activella
|
Estradiol/
Norethindrone Acetate |
Angeliq
|
Estradiol/ Drospirenone
|
Climara Pro
|
Estradiol/
Levonorgestrel |
Combipatch
|
Estradiol/
Norethindrone Acetate |
Femhrt
|
Norethindrone Acetate/
Ethinyl Estradiol |
Prefest
|
Estradiol/
Norgestimate |
Prempro
|
Conjugated Estrogen/
Medroxyprogesterone |
Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines Precautions
and Side Effects
Do not use if you:
·
have unusual vaginal bleeding
·
have or have had certain cancers such as breast
cancer or uterine cancer
·
have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·
have or have had blood clots in the legs or
lungs
·
have a bleeding disorder
·
have liver problems
·
have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
·
think you are pregnant
Serious Side Effects:
·
Heart attack or stroke
·
Blood clots
·
Breast Cancer
·
Dementia in women 65 years and older
·
Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride
(cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·
Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
·
Liver problems
·
High blood pressure
·
Severe allergic reactions
Less Serious, Common Side Effects:
·
Headaches
·
Painful or tender breasts
·
Vaginal spotting
·
Stomach cramps/ Bloating
·
Nausea and vomiting
·
Hair loss
·
Fluid retention
·
Vaginal yeast infection
Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines
Brand Name
|
Generic Name
|
Duavee
|
Conjugated Estrogen/ Bazedoxifene
|
Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines Precautions
and Side Effects
You should not use Duavee if you are taking
medicines that have estrogen, progestin or both hormones.
Do not use if you:
·
have unusual vaginal bleeding
·
have or have had certain cancers such as breast
cancer or uterine cancer
·
have or have had a stroke or heart attack
·
have or have had blood clots in the legs or
lungs
·
have a bleeding disorder
·
have liver problems
·
have had a serious allergic reaction to estrogen
medicines
·
think you are pregnant or may become pregnant
·
are breastfeeding (nursing)
Serious Side Effects:
·
Stroke or blood clots
·
Dementia in women 65 years and older
·
Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride
(cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
·
Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
·
Liver problems
·
High blood pressure
·
Severe allergic reactions
Less Serious, Common Side Effects:
·
Muscle Spasms
·
Nausea
·
Diarrhea
·
Upset stomach/ Stomach pain
·
Throat pain
·
Dizziness
·
Neck Pain
