Drugs for Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or hormone therapy, is a medication treatment program to replace female hormones that the body no longer makes after menopause. During menopause, the ovaries slowly cease producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which ends a woman's menstruation cycle as well as her fertility. However, the lack of these hormones can cause unwanted side effects such as hot flashes, mood swings, urinary problems and vaginal dryness. Supplementing the body with these hormones during menopause helps ward off these side effects, and there are a variety of methods available to apply this treatment, including pills, creams, gels, vaginal rings and patches.

Types of Hormone Therapies

• All therapies for hormone replacement are either medications of estrogen alone, progesterone alone, or a combination of progesterone or progestin and estrogen. Estrogen replacement is typically all that is needed, and most doctors recommend taking a low dose of only estrogen to alleviate the menopausal side effects and prevent other potential health problems from HRT. However, some women prefer the combination of progesterone or progestin (synthetic form of progesterone) with estrogen, as the low doses of progesterone prevent regular, monthly menstruation.
  Pills are the most common form of treatment for both therapies, but they aren't the only method available, and many women prefer not to take pills every day.

Patch

• Hormone patches that secrete either estrogen or a combination of progesterone/progestin and estrogen can be applied to the skin of the stomach or buttocks. The skin then absorbs the hormones directly into the bloodstream. Users can wear the patch for either three or seven days, after which it must be discarded and replaced. Women can wear patches at all times, even while swimming or showering.

Vaginal Rings

• The vaginal rings for hormone replacement therapy are similar in function and design to the rings for birth control. The ring is placed inside the vagina, where it continuously releases estrogen for three months, restoring the both the lining and its lubrication abilities. It is highly recommended that those who wear the ring for HRT also take a progesterone/progestin pill for at least a couple weeks during a ring's three-month duration, for every ring replacement.

Estrogen Creams

• Estrogen creams can be either inserted directly into the vagina or simply placed around the vulva. Creams help with both lubrication and urinary problems similar to vaginal rings, but unlike the rings, creams do not have to be taken in conjunction with progesterone/progestin medications. Like other hormone replacement therapy products, estrogen creams are only available with a prescription and should be used only as directed.

Gels

• Transdermal gels are the easiest and most discreet hormone replacement therapies to use. The gel only needs to be applied and rubbed into the arm just once a day, and it works similarly to the patch, absorbing the hormones through the skin. It dries quickly without any odor. Users can even apply lotion on top the gel once it dries. Gels are available in both estrogen and progesterone hormone replacements.

Side Effects

• Like any medication, hormone replacement therapy has side effects. Most are not serious and can usually be reduced by altering the dosage of the hormones. The most common side effects include monthly menstruation, spotting and tender breasts. Other, less common side effects include blood clots, fluid retention, headaches, dizziness, skin discoloration, skin irritation (around patch or gel application), and increased breast density.