Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone For Ovarian Hormone Therapy (OHT) (Systemic)
Category- Estrogen-progestin
- Osteoporosis prophylactic
- Ovarian hormone therapy agent
DescriptionConjugated estrogens and
medroxyprogesterone (CON-ju-gate-ed
ES-troe-jenz and me-DROX-ee-proe-JES-te-rone) are estrogen
and progestin hormones. Along with other effects, estrogens help females develop
sexually at puberty and regulate the menstrual cycle. Progestin lowers the
effect of estrogen on the uterus and keeps estrogen-related problems from
developing.
Around the time of menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen. Estrogens
are given to:
-
Relieve the signs of menopause (vasomotor symptoms of menopause),
such as hot flashes and unusual sweating, chills, faintness, or dizziness.
-
Treat inflammation of the vagina (atrophic vaginitis) and of the
genital area (atrophy of the vulva) by keeping these areas from becoming too
dry, itchy, or painful.
-
Prevent the loss of bone that begins at the time of menopause. Keeping
bones strong decreases the chance of developing weak bones that easily break
(osteoporosis). Estrogen use is most effective when it is taken for more than
7 years while you are getting regular exercise and extra calcium. Protection
from bone loss can then last for many years after you stop taking the medicine.
There is no
medical evidence to support the
belief that the use of estrogens will keep the patient feeling young, keep
the skin soft, or delay the appearance of wrinkles. Nor has it been proven
that the use of estrogens during menopause will relieve emotional and nervous
symptoms, unless these symptoms are related to the menopausal symptoms, such
as hot flashes.
Progestins are not needed if the uterus has been removed (by a surgical
method called hysterectomy). In that case, it may be better to receive estrogens
alone without the progestin.
Conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone are available only with your
doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Conjugated Estrogens; Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone
-
Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone
-
Tablets (U.S.) and Canada
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
In Canada -
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following estrogens are numbered
to match the corresponding brand names.
|
This information applies to the following medicines |
1. |
Conjugated Estrogens, and Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone
(CON-ju-gate-ed ES-troe-jenz, and CON-ju-gate-ed ES-troe-jenzand me-DROX-ee-proe-JES-te-rone)† |
2. |
ConjugatedEstrogens and Medroxyprogesterone (CON-ju-gate-ed ES-troe-jenz
and me-DROX-ee-proe-JES-te-rone) |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
|