Estrogens

Estrogens is a female sex hormone (estrogen). It is a part of female hormonal replacement therapy which helps in treating estrogen deficiency symptoms like hot flushes (red and warm face) and vaginal dryness. Estrogens is also used to prevent osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bone) in postmenopausal women, who are at high risk of fractures and can not take other preventive medicines for osteoporosis.

Estrogens is a mixture of estrogens (female sex hormone). In women who are undergoing or have attained menopause, it prevents symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. It also prevents the bones from becoming porous and fragile (osteoporosis).

• Hormone Replacement Therapy: Used for menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
• Osteoporosis Prevention: Used for prevention of bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women.
• Prostate Cancer: Used for palliative treatment.
• Breast Cancer: Used for palliative treatment in selected metastatic patients.

Drugs for menopausal symptoms: Hormone replacement therapy, Female Sex hormones

Estrogens (Combination)

Estrogens modulate pituitary secretion of gonadotropins, luteinising hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones through negative feedback mechanism, thus reducing elevated levels of hormones in postmenopausal women during oestrogen replacement therapy.

Estrogens modulate pituitary secretion of gonadotropins through negative feedback mechanism and help relieve menopause symptoms.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms, Atrophic Vaginitis: 0.3 mg PO once daily (continuous or cyclic regimen)
• Female Hypogonadism: 0.3-0.625 mg PO once daily (cyclic: 3 weeks on, 1 week off)
• Osteoporosis Prophylaxis: 0.3 mg PO once daily (cyclic: 25 days on, 5 days off)
• Prostate Cancer (Palliative): 1.25-2.5 mg PO q8hr
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: 10-20 mg/day PO divided q4hr
• Breast Cancer (Palliative): 10 mg PO q8hr for >=3 months

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Estrogens may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose of Estrogens, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Bloating
• Breast pain
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Nausea
• Stomach cramp
• Vomiting

Precautions:

• It is not known whether Estrogens alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
• Prescribed as part of HRT to relieve symptoms of menopause.
• Take at the same time every day.
• Inform your doctor if you experience any unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge or vaginal discomfort.
• May increase risk of breast cancer; have regular breast examinations.
• Stop taking and inform doctor immediately if unexplained swelling and pain in limbs, shortness of breath, chest pain, or changes in vision occur.

Contraindications:

• Severe liver impairment
• Breast carcinoma
• Thromboembolic disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• Estrogen-dependent neoplasms
• Hypersensitivity
• Pregnancy

Drug Interactions:

• Rifampicin, Barbiturates: Increase rate of metabolism.
• Potentially Fatal: May reduce the efficacy of anticoagulants.

Food Interactions: Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Estrogens. Consult your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy: Estrogens is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby.

Use in Lactation: Estrogens is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Pediatric Use: Not indicated for use in children.

Geriatric Use: No specific dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients.

Renal Impairment: Estrogens is probably unsafe in patients with kidney disease and should be avoided.

Hepatic Impairment: Estrogens is probably unsafe in patients with liver disease and should be avoided.

Overdose: Limited information is available on overdose. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting and withdrawal bleeding.

Storage: Store below 30 degree C in a cool and dry place, away from light. Keep out of reach of children.

Estrogens