Estrogen Choices - Bio-Identical Estrogen - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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Estrogen Choices - Bio-Identical Estrogen

Estrogen Choices - Bio-Identical Estrogen

From the Menopause and Hormones Articles List

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Bio-identical hormones by definition means that the hormone is chemically identical to the hormones that are produced by the ovaries.

Estrace® (Estradiol)

ESTRADIOL (Estinyl®) Estrogens can help relieve symptoms of the menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness and irritation), and help to prevent the onset of osteoporosis (a loss of bone mass, so that bones become brittle and easily broken). Estrogens can also help improve female functions in women with hormonal imbalance or problems with their ovaries.

How should I take this medicine? Take estrogen tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If the tablets upset your stomach, take them with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals; estrogens work best when taken at the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

What if I miss a dose? If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose and resume your normal schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.

What other medicines can interact with estradiol or ethinyl estradiol?

•some antibiotics used to treat infections

•some medications used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection or AIDS

•ascorbic acid/vitamin C supplements

•barbiturates or benzodiazepines used for inducing

sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

•bromocriptine

•carbamazepine

•cimetidine

•clofibrate

•cyclosporine

•dantrolene

•medications for diabetes

•methotrexate

•griseofulvin

•hormones

•hydrocortisone, cortisone, or prednisolone

•imipramine or some other antidepressants

•isoniazid (INH)

•methotrexate

•mineral oil

•phenytoin

•raloxifene or tamoxifen

•rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine

•some medications for treating migraines

•theophylline

•thyroid hormones

•topiramate

•tricyclic antidepressants

•warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking estradiol or ethinyl estradiol?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

•breakthrough bleeding and spotting

•breast enlargement, tenderness, unusual discharge

or milk production

•chest pain

•leg, arm or groin pain

•nausea, vomiting

•severe headaches

•stomach or abdominal pain (severe)

•sudden shortness of breath

•swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid

weight gain

•vision or speech problems

•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•change in sexual desire

•mild stomach upset

•mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration,

anger, or emotional outbursts

•increased or decreased appetite

•skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the face

•tiredness

•vaginal yeast infection (irritation and white

discharge)

•weight gain

Estrogens can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your prescriber or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

Tobacco smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking estrogens, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.

If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist or health care professional.

If you are going to have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking your estrogens one month beforehand. Consult your health care professional for advice prior to scheduling the surgery.

ESTRADIOL skin patches (Alora®, Climara®, Esclim®, Estraderm®, FemPatch®, Vivelle®)

contain a natural estrogen female hormone. Generic estradiol skin patches are not yet available.

One estradiol patch contains enough medication for several days. It is worn continuously until it is time to replace with a new patch. Depending on the brand of skin patch you are prescribed, the patch is replaced once or twice weekly, or as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. Make a schedule and keep to it, so that you always change your patch on the days you have marked.

Tear open the pouch, do not use scissors. Remove the stiff protective liner covering the adhesive. Try not to touch the adhesive. Your patches will have instructions that will tell you which areas of the body you can apply your patch to. Apply the patch, sticky side to the skin, to an area that is clean, dry and hairless; avoid injured, irritated, calloused, or scarred areas. Do not apply the skin patches to your breasts or around the waist area. Use a different site each time to prevent skin irritation. Do not cut or trim the patch. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice. Do not wear more than one patch at a time unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.

You may bathe or participate in other activites while wearing your patch. If the patch pulls loose or falls off, you may reapply it if the patch is sticky enough to stay on the skin. You should reapply the patch in a different area. Otherwise use a fresh patch. You should change your patch on the same day(s) each week.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

More Common:

•irritation or mild redness at patch application site

Less Common:

•change in sexual desire

•mild stomach upset

•mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration,

anger, or emotional outbursts

•increased or decreased appetite

•skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the face

•tiredness

•vaginal yeast infection (irritation and white discharge)

•weight gain

Estradiol skin patches can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your prescriber or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

ESTRADIOL (Estrace®) vaginal cream

Estradiol vaginal cream is for use in the vagina only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Vaginal products work best if used at bedtime. Use at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your prescriber or health care professional. Read package directions carefully before using. Use the special applicator supplied with the cream. Wash hands before and after use. Fill the applicator with the cream and remove from the tube. Lie on your back, part and bend your knees. Insert the applicator into the vagina and push the plunger to expel the cream into the vagina. Wash the applicator with warm soapy water and rinse well. You also can apply a small amount of the cream to the labia (outer skin folds or "lips" of the vagina) to relieve dryness or irritation. Use exactly as directed for the complete length of time prescribed. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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Find A Doctor Near You

Siobhan Kehoe, M.D. Gynecological Oncology Clinic - SW Med 2201 Inwood Road Suite 106 Dallas TX 75390 214-645-4673	Geoffrey Bowers, M.D. 834 Chestnut Street Suite 300 Philadelphia PA 19107 215-955-5000	Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443
Megan Bird, M.D. 364 SE 8th Ave, Suite 205 Hillsboro OR 97202 503-681-4145	Geoffrey Cly, M.D. Suite 101, 11123 Parkview Plaza Drive Fort Wayne IN 46845 260-969-5530	Ken Sinervo, M.D. 1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220 Atlanta GA 30328 770-913-0001
Melanie Bone, M.D. 5301 S. Congress Ave. Atlantis FL 33462 561-548-8600	Gretchen Makai, M.D. 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd MAP II, Ste 2103 Christiana Care Health System Newark DE 19713 302-623-4410	James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074

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