ESTROGEN
Estrogen
What is it?
Natural Estrogens
So what is natural? Is natural better? If so why?
Available Estrogens
A complete list of all the estrogens on the market today.
Estrogen
Estrogen is not one hormone, it is the name of a group of hormones. There are three principle forms of estrogen found in the human body estrone, estradiol and estriol, also known as E1, E2 and E3 respectively.
There is also a group of compounds called phytoestrogens, generally found
in food, which can have "estrogen like" effects in the body.
Estradiol (E2) is the primary estrogen produced by the ovaries. Estrone
(E1) is formed from estradiol. It is a weak estrogen and is the most
abundant estrogen found in the body after menopause.
Estriol (E3) is produced in large amounts during pregnancy and is a
breakdown product of estradiol.
Estriol is also a weak estrogen and may have anti-cancer effects.
Before menopause estradiol is the predominant estrogen. After menopause
estradiol levels drop more than estrone so that now estrone is the
predominant estrogen.
For the past 50 years, conjugated equine estrogen, brand name
Premarin® has been the most commonly prescribed
estrogen supplement in the U.S.
Conjugated estrogens are derived from pregnant mare's urine. They must be
converted by the body into active estrogens. Premarin® is the most
studied estrogen supplement.
It is also the most widely prescribed hormone in the world. If you are
taking a hormone, it is probably Premarin®.
Estradiol (E2) is now widely prescribed in the form of skin patches,
tablets and creams and is gaining on premarin in popularity.
A combination of E1,E2 and E3 called Triple Estrogen or Tri-Est,has been
available for many years. It's proponents claim it is the most natural way to take estrogen.
Triple estrogen is difficult to get. It is generally available only by mail order
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Natural Estrogens
So which is natural? Is natural better?
If so why?
It all depends on what YOU consider natural,
remember, there are many "natural" poisons. If you consider "natural", that which occurs in the body in
the highest concentration after menopause, then estrone is the natural estrogen for you.
Estrone is easy to get. Most of the prescription estrogens when taken by mouth are converted in your GI tract
and end
up predominantly as estrone.
If you consider natural, getting your estrogen levels up to where they were before menopause then estradiol is your natural estrogen.
The transdermal patches, vaginal rings and estradiol creams provide pre-menopausal
levels of estradiol.
If you desire a natural estrogen that is the least likely
to cause cancer then estriol may be right. Tri-Est contains mostly estriol.
However a dose high enough to prevent hot flashes causes nausea. Therefor the
pharmacies add 10% E1 and 10% E2 to Tri-Est. So its mostly, but not totally,
estriol.
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Available Estrogens
| PLANT BASED |
| Drug Name | Route | Yrs | FDA Approved for | Strength | Cost/day* |
| Alora® | Transdermal | 1 | Menopausal syndrome | 0.05 mg
0.075 mg
0.1 mg | $0.72
0.72
0.72
|
| Cenestin® | Oral | 1 | Menopausal syndrome | 0.625 mg
0.9 mg
1.25 | 0.37
0.37
0.37 |
| Climara® | Transdermal | 1 | Menopausal syndrome | 0.025mg
0.05 mg
0.75 mg
0.1 mg | 0.72
0.72
0.72 |
| Estrace® | Oral
Vaginal | 20
10 | Menopausal syndrome
Osteoporosis
Vaginal atrophy | 0.5 mg
1.0 mg
2.0 mg
0.1% cream | 0.31
0.38
0.56
1.61 |
| Estraderm® | Transdermal | 10 | Menopausal syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.05 mg
0.1 mg | 0.72
0.80 |
| Estratab® | Oral | 20 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.3 mg
0.625 mg
1.25 mg
2.5 mg | 0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32 |
| Estring® | Vaginal Ring | 1 | Vaginal Atrophy | 5-10 mg |
|
| FemPatch® | Transdermal | 1 | Menopausal syndrome | 0.05 mg
0.1 mg | 0.72
0.72 |
| Menest® | Oral | 20 | Menopausal Syndrome | 0.3 mg
0.625 mg
1.25 mg
2.5 mg | 0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32 |
| Ogen® | Oral | 40 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.625 mg
1.25 | 0.58
0.77 |
| Ortho-est® | Oral | 2 | Menopausal Syndrome | 0.625 mg
1.25 mg | 0.58
0.77 |
Vivelle®
Vivelle Dot® | Transdermal | 1 | Menopausal Syndrome | 0.037 mg
0.05
0.75
0.1 | 0.72
0.72
0.72
0.72 |
| ANIMAL BASED |
| Drug Name | Route | Yrs | FDA Approved for | Strength | Cost/day* |
| Premarin® | Oral | 50 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.3 mg
0.625 mg
0.9 mg
1.25 mg
2.5 mg | 0.37
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.37 | | ESTROGEN/PROGESTERONE COMBINATIONS |
| Drug Name | Route | Yrs | FDA Approved for | Strength | Cost/day* |
| CombiPatch® | Transdermal | 1 | Menopausal Syndrome | 0.05 mg
estradiol
0.14 mg
norethindrone | 0.72 |
| femhrt® | Oral | 1 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 5 mcg
ethinyl estradiol
1 mg
norethindrone
continous | 0.73 |
| Ortho-Prefest® | Oral | 1 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 1 mg
estradiol
0.09 mg
norgestimate
sequential | 0.73 |
 Activella® | Oral | 1 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 1 mg
estradiol
0.5 mg
norethindrone
continous | 0.73 |
| Prempro® | Oral | 5 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.625 mg
premarin
2.5 mg
cycrin
continous | 0.73 |
| Premphase® | Oral | 5 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.625 mg
premarin
5 mg
cycrin
sequential | 0.73 |
| ESTROGEN/ANDROGEN COMBINATIONS |
| Drug Name | Route | Yrs | FDA Approved for | Strength | Cost/day* |
| Estratest® | Oral | 5 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 1.25/2.5 mg | 0.90 |
| Estratest HS® | Oral | 5 | Menopausal Syndrome
Osteoporosis | 0.625/1.25 mg | 0.74 |
*All costs are approximate. Costs will differ with individual pharmacies and/or drug plans.
See Also:
Vitamin Database
Good Foods Glossary
Soy Foods
Prescription Drugs
Alternative Therapies
References : 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 78.
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