WOMEN’S HEALTH
HORMONES COMMON USES WHAT I NEED TO KNOW AS A BRAND NEW
NURSE
Estrogen
Common examples: Premarin
(conjugated estrogen),
Estraderm (estradiol transdermal),
Prempro (Estrogen/Progesterone
Combination)
Estrogen replacement
therapy/hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) commonly
indicated with primary ovarian
failure, menopause and post-
hysterectomy.
Other uses include: palliative
treatment of breast cancer,
osteoporosis, prevention of post-
partum lactation and
dysmenorrhea.
Combined with progesterone for
oral contraception and often given
in combination form for HRT.
* Estrogens increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and some
forms of breast cancer.
* Adverse effects include: hypertension, HA, and weight changes.
Serious adverse effect: thromboembolism
* Monitor BP, weight, serum calcium, glucose and liver enzymes
* Patient should not smoke.
* Contraindicated with thyroid dysfunction, familial history of
breast cancer, thrombophlebitis.
Progesterone
Common examples: Megestrol
(Megace), Medroxyprogesterone
(Depo-Provera)
Prempro (Estrogen/Progesterone
Combination)
Treatment of fibroids, uterine
cancer, endometriosis,
amenorrhea, uterine bleeding d/t
hormone imbalance and the
treatment of premenstrual
syndrome (PMS).
Also used for preventing a
threatened miscarriage.
Combined with estrogen for oral
contraception and often given in
combination form for HRT.
* Adverse effects include: weight changes, insomnia, depression.
* Serious adverse effects include: cholestatic jaundice and
thromboembolism.
