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Menopause: Medicines to Help You
Menopause: Medicines to Help You
Menopause (sometimes called “the change of life”) is a normal
time
in a woman’s life when her period stops. During menopause, some women have
problems like hot flashes, vaginal dryness and irritation, and
weak bones. These things happen because a woman’s body makes fewer
hormones.
There are medicines called Hormone Therapy that can help
to cut down on some of the health problems that women have during menopause. Women
who take hormone therapy for menopause should take the lowest dose that works
for them for the shortest time.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about what is best for
you. This guide lists some basic information about menopause hormone
therapy. Talk to your doctor about all of the risks of taking your hormone
medicines.
Women should not take hormone therapy if they:
- think they are pregnant
- have unusual vaginal bleeding
- have or have had blood clots
- have certain cancers such as breast and uterine
- have liver problems
- have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year
Menopause Hormone Therapy
There are 3 different kinds of hormone therapy medicines:
- Estrogen-Only Medicines
- Progestin-Only Medicines
- Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines
There are many different estrogen, progestin, and combination medicines. These medicines are taken using different schedules.
Like all medicines, each kind of hormone therapy medicine has common side effects. There are also some serious health problems that can happen in women who take menopause hormone therapy.
- For some women, hormone therapy may raise their chances of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gall bladder disease.
- For a woman with a uterus, taking estrogen alone raises her chance of getting endometrial cancer.
The different kinds of hormone medicines are listed on the next few pages. Find your drug on the list. Ask your doctor to tell you what you should know about your hormone medicines. Write down the important facts here.
Estrogen-Only Medicines
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Product Type |
|---|---|---|
| Alora | Estradiol | Patch |
| Cenestin | Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens | Pill |
| Climara | Estradiol | Patch |
| Delestrogen | Estradiol Valerate | Injection (Shot) |
| Enjuvia | Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens | Pill |
| Estrace | Estradiol | Pill Vaginal Cream |
| Estraderm | Estradiol | Patch |
| Estrasorb | Estradiol | Skin Cream (Emulsion) |
| Estring | Estradiol | Vaginal Insert |
| Estrogel | Estradiol | Gel |
| Femring | Estradiol Acetate | Vaginal Ring |
| Femtrace | Estradiol Acetate | Pill |
| Menest | Esterified Estrogen | Pill |
| Menostar (only used to prevent osteoporosis) |
Estradiol | Patch |
| Ogen | Estropipate | Pill Vaginal Cream |
| Ortho-Est | Estropipate | Pill |
| Premarin | Conjugated Estrogens | Pill Vaginal Cream Injection (Shot) |
| Vagifem | Estradiol | Vaginal Tablet |
| Vivelle | Estradiol | Patch |
| Vivelle-Dot | Estradiol | Patch |
Estrogen-Only Medicines: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use any of these medicines if you are pregnant.
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, certain cancers, blood clots, or liver problems.
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year.
Common Side Effects
- Painful or tender breasts
- Stomach cramps
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Bloating
- Upset stomach/ Nausea
- Hair loss
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
- Breast lumps
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Problems seeing
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pains in legs
- Vomiting
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA
Progestin-Only Medicines
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Product Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aygestin | Norethindrone Acetate | Pill |
| Prometrium | Micronized Progesterone | Pill |
| Provera | Medroxyprogesterone Acetate | Pill |
| For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA | ||
Progestin-Only Medicines: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have had certain cancers especially breast cancer.
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have had heart disease or blood clots.
- Women who have diabetes should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking these medicines.
Common Side Effects
- Painful or tender breasts
- Stomach cramps
- Upset stomach/ Nausea
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
- Breast lumps
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Problem seeing
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pains in legs
- Vomiting
Combination-Only Medicines
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Product Type |
|---|---|---|
| Activella | Estradiol/ Norethindrone Acetate |
Pill |
| Climara Pro | Estradiol/ Levonorgestrel |
Patch |
| Combipatch | Estradiol/ Norethindrone Acetate |
Patch |
| Femhrt | Norethindrone Acetate/ Ethinyl Estradiol |
Pill |
| Prefest | Estradiol/ Norgestimate |
Pill |
| Prempro | Conjugated Estrogen/ Medroxyprogesterone |
Pill |
| For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA | ||
Combination Medicines: What You Should Know
Warnings
- Do not use any of these medicines if you are pregnant.
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, certain cancers, blood clots, or liver problems.
- Do not use any of these medicines if you have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year.
Common Side Effects
- Painful or tender breasts
- Stomach cramps
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Upset stomach/ Nausea
- Bloating
- Hair loss
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
- Breast lumps
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Problems seeing
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pains in legs
- Vomiting
To Learn More about Menopause
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Office of Women’s Health
Menopause and Hormone Therapy Information
www.fda.gov/womens/menopause/