Estrogens (Systemic)

Category

• Antineoplastic - Conjugated Estrogens; Diethylstilbestrol; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estradiol valerate; Estrone; Ethinyl Estradiol
• Estrogen, systemic - Conjugated Estrogens; Diethylstilbestrol; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estrone; Estropipate; Ethinyl Estradiol
• Osteoporosis prophylactic - Conjugated Estrogens; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estropipate
• Ovarian hormone therapy - Conjugated Estrogens; Esterified Estrogens; Estradiol; Estropipate

Description

Estrogens (ES-troe-jenz) are female hormones. They are produced by the body and are necessary for the normal sexual development of the female and for the regulation of the menstrual cycle during the childbearing years.

The ovaries begin to produce less estrogen after menopause (the change of life). This medicine is prescribed to make up for the lower amount of estrogen. Estrogens help relieve signs of menopause, such as hot flashes and unusual sweating, chills, faintness, or dizziness.

Estrogens are prescribed for several reasons:

• to provide additional hormone when the body does not produce enough of its own, such as during menopause or when female puberty (development of female sexual organs) does not occur on time. Other conditions include a genital skin condition (vulvar atrophy), inflammation of the vagina (atrophic vaginitis), or ovary problems (female hypogonadism or failure or removal of both ovaries).
• to help prevent weakening of bones (osteoporosis) in women past menopause.
• in the treatment of selected cases of breast cancer in men and women.
• in the treatment of cancer of the prostate in men.

Estrogens may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

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 caused by other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or hot flushes.

Estrogens are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Conjugated Estrogens
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Diethylstilbestrol
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Esterified Estrogens
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Estradiol
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Estropipate
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Conjugated Estrogens
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Diethylstilbestrol
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Estradiol
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Estrone
  • Injection (U.S.)

Topical
• Estradiol
  • Emulsion (U.S.)
  • Transdermal system (skin patch) (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Alora ⁴
• Aquest ⁵
• Climara ⁴
• Delestrogen ⁴
• depGynogen ⁴
• Depo-Estradiol ⁴
• Depogen ⁴
• Dioval 40 ⁴
• Dioval XX ⁴
• Dura-Estrin ⁴
• Duragen-20 ⁴
• E-Cypionate ⁴
• Estinyl ⁷
• Estrace ⁴
• Estraderm ⁴
• Estragyn 5 ⁵
• Estragyn LA 5 ⁴
• Estra-L 40 ⁴
• Estrasorb ⁴
• Estratab ³
• Estro-Cyp ⁴
• Estrofem ⁴
• Estro-L.A. ⁴
• Estrone 5 ⁵
• FemPatch ⁴
• Gynogen L.A. 20 ⁴
• Gynogen L.A. 40 ⁴
• Kestrone-5 ⁵
• Menaval-20 ⁴
• Menest ³
• Ogen .625 ⁶
• Ogen 1.25 ⁶
• Ogen 2.5 ⁶
• Ortho-Est .625 ⁶
• Ortho-Est 1.25 ⁶
• Premarin ¹
• Premarin Intravenous ¹
• Stilphostrol ²
• Valergen-10 ⁴
• Valergen-20 ⁴
• Valergen-40 ⁴
• Vivelle ⁴
• Vivelle-Dot ⁴
• Wehgen ⁵

In Canada -

• C.E.S. ¹
• Delestrogen ⁴
• Estinyl ⁷
• Estrace ⁴
• Estradot ⁴
• Estraderm ⁴
• Femogex ⁴
• Honvol ²
• Ogen ⁶
• Premarin ¹
• Premarin Intravenous ¹
• Stilbestrol ²
• Vivelle ⁴

Other commonly used names are:

• DES
• Fosfestrol
• Oestradiol
• Oestrone
• Piperazine estrone sulfate
• Stilboestrol