Category

• Estrogen-progestin
• Osteoporosis prophylactic
• Ovarian hormone therapy agent

Description Drug

Conjugated 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 risk 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 drug.

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 family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Conjugated Estrogens; Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone
  • Tablets - USA
• Conjugated Estrogens and Medroxyprogesterone
  • Tablets - USA and Canada

Brand Names

Some commonly using brand names are:

In the USA

• Premphase
• Prempro

In Canada

• Premplus

For quick reference, the following estrogens are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.