Treatment
18
Table 10. Commonly Prescribed Hormone Therapies
Preparation Doses Comments
Systemic estrogen therapies
a
Oral estrogen tablets
Micronized E2 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/d
Estradiol valerate
b
1.5 mg/d
CEE 0.3, 0.45, 0.625 mg/d Higher doses available
(This preparation was used
in Women's Health Initiative
(WHI)
Transdermal estrogens
Estradiol patch 0.025–0.1 mg once or
twice weekly depending on
preparation
Corresponds to 0.5–2.0 mg
estradiol tablets
Diffusion can be different
from one patch to another
0.014 mg/wk Preserved bone in women
>60 y old
Estradiol percutaneous gel 0.25–1.5 mg qd Corresponds to 0.5–2.0 mg
estradiol tablets
Can be transferred to persons
and pets by skin contact
Estradiol transdermal spray 1.5 mg qd Estradiol via spray
Can be transferred to persons
and pets by skin contact
Vaginal ring
Estradiol acetate 0.05–0.10 mg/d Systemic levels of estradiol
provide relief of VMS.
90-d duration/ring
Progestogen therapies
Oral progestin tablets
Medroxyprogesterone
acetate
2.5, 5, 10 mg/d Utilized in WHI
Norethindrone 0.35 mg/d
Neta 5.0 mg/d
Megestrol acetate 20, 40 mg/d
Dydrogesterone
b
10 mg/d
Chlormadinone acetate
b
5, 10 mg/d
Medrogestone
b
5 mg/d
