During menopause, a woman's hormone levels fluctuate, resulting in hot flashes and vaginal dryness. One treatment option, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can relieve these symptoms and protect women from developing osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy contains either estrogen or progestin (a form of progesterone), or a combination of the two. In July 2002, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), research found that hormone replacement therapy increased a woman's risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Estrogen replacement therapy is one type of hormone replacement therapy used for menopause treatment. Estrogen replacement therapy is available in pill form as well as vaginal cream, vaginal tablets, vaginal ring, skin patch, skin gel and skin cream, according to the NIH. Different forms of synthetic estrogen are present in estrogen replacement therapy. Premarin contains conjugated equine estrogens, while Cenestin contains synthetic conjugated estrogens. Both Estratab and Menest have esterified estrogens, while Ortho-Est and Ogen have estropipate, which is piperazine estrone sulfate. The drug Estrace has micronized 17-beta-estradiol, and Estinyl has ethinyl estradiol.
Progestin Replacement Therapy
Progestin replacement therapy is an alternative option to estrogen replacement therapy, which is ideal for women who cannot take estrogen supplements. Women can use progestin replacement therapy via vaginal gels, pills and intrauterine devices (IUD), according to the NIH. Both Cycrin and Provera contain medroxyprogesterone acetate, while Aygestin and Norlutate have norethindrone acetate. Prometrium is made with progesterone USP.
Estrogen and Progestin Replacement Therapy
Another type of hormone replacement therapy, estrogen and progestin replacement therapy, contains ingredients found in both estrogen replacement therapy and progestin replacement therapy. Estrogen and progestin replacement therapy can be administered via pill form and skin patch, according to the NIH. Premphase and Prempro contain conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Femhrt has ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate. Activella includes 17-beta-estradiol and norethindrone acetate, while Ortho-Prefest has 17-beta-estradiol and norgestimate.
