Update on Hormone Replacement Therapy

摘要

Estrogen therapy (ET) to treat the common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes or flushes and vaginal dry-ness, has been available for almost 60 years. Conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) in the form of Premarin was first marketed in 1942. This pharmaceutical product contains a mixture of more than 8 different estrogenic compounds derived from the urine of pregnant mares. It has been the most commonly used form of hormone replacement treatment over the years. CEEs were initially prescribed without progestins, which led to concerns in the 1980s of an increased risk for endometrial cancer. These concerns were eventually allayed when it was determined that concurrent administration of appropriate doses of progestins prevented endometrial cancer. When progestins are administered with estrogens to treat menopausal symptoms, the treatment is known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Numerous clinical studies have repeatedly demonstrated that ET and HRT are the most efficacious treatments for the common and troublesome menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. ET and HRT are the only.treatments of menopausal symptoms approved by the FDA. Although there are treatments other than HRT or ET for menopausal symptoms, they are not as effective or as.safe, and they are not FDA approved.