Hormone replacement therapy is the term given to medications prescribed to treat the symptoms of menopause. When a women experiences menopause, the levels of reproductive hormones often fluctuate greatly, causing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes and osteoporosis. Doctors sometimes attempt to regulate these symptoms by administering hormones in the form of medication. The hormones prescribed for hormone replacement therapy may include estrogen, progestin or testosterone.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a major female sex hormone that decreases dramatically during menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy frequently reduces some of the unpleasant effects of menopause, including hot flashes, uncontrolled sweating, vaginal dryness, burning and itching, and problems urinating, reports MedlinePlus. However, the use of estrogen replacement therapy is somewhat controversial, because it is also linked to several side effects, including breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, FloridaHealthFinder.gov explains. Estrogen can either be taken as a pill, or administered as a vaginal cream to specifically treat vaginal symptoms, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Progestin
Progestin is another female sex hormone that is often prescribed in conjunction with estrogen. Several brand-name drugs deliver a combination of estrogen and progestin, such as Prempro, Activella and FemHrt. Other medications provide estrogen alone, alternating with a combination of estrogen and progestin. Ortho-Prefest is taken daily, alternating between estrogen-only tablets that are taken for three days and tablets of estrogen and progestin, which are taken for three days, explains MedlinePlus. Another hormone replacement therapy, Premphase, includes estrogen tablets that are taken for 14 days, followed by estrogen and progestin tablets that are taken for 14 days, notes MedlinePlus.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, however, it is present in women as well, in lower levels. Hormone replacement therapy using testosterone is sometimes administered to postmenopausal women. The main benefit of testosterone therapy for women is to increase sex drive, reports MayoClinic.com. Testosterone can be administered as a skin patch, gel or cream, and is sold under a variety of brand names, such as Testred.
References
- MedlinePlus: Estrogen and Progestin (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
- Florida Health Finder: Hormone Therapy
- National Cancer Institute: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Use and Cancer
- Mayo Clinic: Testosterone Therapy in Women: Does It Boost Sex Drive?
- Archived Drug Label: Testred (Methyltestosterone) Capsule, Gelatin Coated
