Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Free Publications For Women

Free publications for women

                        English Publications
          Publicaciones en Español [Spanish Publications]
          Publications in Other Languages Home
          For Consumers
          Women's Health
          Women's Health Topics
          Free Publications For Women
          Menopause: Medicines to Help YouFree Publications For Women Menopause: Medicines to Help You
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintPrint and Share (PDF 3557 KB)

Menopause (sometimes called “the change of life”) is a normal time in a woman’s life when her period stops. During menopause, a woman’s body makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Lower hormone levels may lead to symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness along with thin bones.

Some women choose to treat their menopause symptoms with hormone medicines sometimes called **Hormone Therapy.** The following lists some basic information about the FDA-approved hormone medicines for menopause. Use this information to help you talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone medicines are right for you.

Do not take hormone therapy if you:

have problems with vaginal bleeding
	have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
	have or have had a blood clot, stroke or heart attack
	have a bleeding disorder
	have liver disease
	have allergic reactions to hormone medicineMenopause Hormone Therapy

There are different types of hormone medicines used during and after menopause:

Estrogen-Only Medicines
	Progestin-Only Medicines
	Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines
	Combination Estrogen and Other MedicinesInformation about non-hormone medicines for menopause is not included. Ask your healthcare provider about the FDA-approved non-hormone medicine for menopause called Brisdelle (paroxetine).

Side Effects

Hormone medicines have side effects. Serious health problems can happen in women who take menopause hormone therapy.

For some women, hormone medicines may raise their chances of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer.
	For some women who are 65 years old or older, hormone medicines may raise their chances of dementia.
	For women who still have their uterus, taking estrogen-only medicines raises their chance of getting cancer of the lining of the uterus or endometrial cancer. These women need to take progestin to prevent endometrial cancer.All side effects and warnings for each hormone medicine are not listed. Ask your healthcare provider about all the risks of taking hormone medicines.

Estrogen-Only Medicines

Brand Name
			Generic Name
			Product TypeAlora
			estradiol
			PatchCenestin
			synthetic conjugated estrogens
			PillClimara
			estradiol
			PatchDelestrogen
			estradiol valerate
			Injection (Shot)Divigel
			estradiol
			GelElestrin
			estradiol
			GelEnjuvia
			synthetic conjugated estrogens
			PillEsclim
			estradiol
			PatchEstrace
			estradiol
			Pill
			Vaginal CreamEstraderm
			estradiol
			PatchEstrasorb
			estradiol
			Skin Cream
			(Emulsion)Estring
			estradiol
			Vaginal InsertEstroGel
			estradiol
			GelEvamist
			estradiol
			Skin Spray (Transdermal)Femring
			estradiol acetate
			Vaginal RingFemtrace
			estradiol acetate
			PillMenest
			esterified estrogen
			PillMenostar
			(only used to prevent osteoporosis)
			estradiol
			PatchMinivelle
			estradiol
			PatchOgen
			estropipate
			Pill
			Vaginal CreamOrtho-Est
			estropipate
			PillOsphena (not estrogen only)
			ospemifene
			PillPremarin
			conjugated estrogens
			Pill
			Vaginal Cream
			Injection (Shot)Vagifem
			estradiol
			Vaginal TabletVivelle
			estradiol
			PatchVivelle-Dot
			estradiol
			Patch

**Estrogen-Only Medicines**

**Do not use if you:**

have unusual vaginal bleeding
	have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
	have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
	have a bleeding disorder
	have had a stroke or heart attack
	have liver problems
	have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
	think you are pregnant**Serious Side Effects**

Stroke or blood clots
	Endometrial Cancer in women who still have their uterus and who do not use progestin with estrogen-only medicines
	Dementia in women 65 years and older
	Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
	Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
	Liver Problems
	High Blood Pressure
	Severe allergic reactions**Less Serious, Common Side Effects**

Headaches
	Painful or tender breasts
	Vaginal spotting
	Stomach cramps/ Bloating
	Nausea and vomiting
	Hair loss
	Fluid retention
	Vaginal yeast infection**For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA**

Progestin-Only Medicines

Brand Name
			Generic Name
			Product TypePrometrium
			micronized progesterone
			PillProvera
			medroxyprogesterone acetate
			Pill

**Progestin-Only Medicines**

Estrogen-only medicines are usually taken with progestin-only medicines to lower the chance of getting endometrial cancer in women who still have their uterus.

The side effects listed below are for women who take a progestin-only medicine and an estrogen-only medicine.

Do not use if you:

have unusual vaginal bleeding
	have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
	have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
	have a bleeding disorder
	have had a stroke or heart attack
	have liver problems
	have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
	think you are pregnantSerious Side Effects

Heart attack or stroke
	Blood clots
	Breast cancer
	Dementia in women 65 years and older
	Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
	Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
	Liver problems
	High blood pressure
	Severe allergic reactionsLess Serious, Common Side Effects

Headaches
	Painful or tender breasts
	Vaginal spotting
	Stomach cramps/bloating
	Nausea and vomiting
	Hair loss
	Fluid retention
	Vaginal yeast infection**For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA**.

Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines

Brand Name
			Generic Name
			Product TypeActivella
			estradiol/
			norethindrone acetate
			PillAngeliq
			estradiol/ drospirenone
			PillClimara Pro
			estradiol/
			levonorgestrel
			PatchCombipatch
			estradiol/
			norethindrone acetate
			PatchFemhrt
			norethindrone acetate/
			ethinyl estradiol
			PillPrefest
			estradiol/
			norgestimate
			PillPrempro
			conjugated estrogen/
			medroxyprogesterone
			Pill

**Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines**

**Do not use if you:**

have unusual vaginal bleeding
	have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
	have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
	have a bleeding disorder
	have had a stroke or heart attack
	have liver problems
	have serious reactions to estrogen medicines
	think you are pregnant**Serious Side Effects**

Heart attack or stroke
	Blood clots
	Breast Cancer
	Dementia in women 65 years and older
	Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
	Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
	Liver problems
	High blood pressure
	Severe allergic reactions**Less Serious, Common Side Effects**

Headaches
	Painful or tender breasts
	Vaginal spotting
	Stomach cramps/bloating
	Nausea and vomiting
	Hair loss
	Fluid retention
	Vaginal yeast infection**For the most recent information about each drug, check Drugs@FDA**

****Combination Estrogen and Hormone Medicines

Brand Name
			Generic Name
			Product TypeDuavee
			conjugated estrogen/bazedoxifene
			Pill

**You should not use Duavee if you are taking medicines that have estrogen, progestin or both hormones.**

**Do not use if you:**

have unusual vaginal bleeding
	have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cancer
	have or have had blood clots in the legs or lungs
	have a bleeding disorder
	have or have had a stroke or heart attack
	have liver problems
	have had a serious allergic reaction to estrogen medicines
	think you are pregnant or may become pregnant
	are breastfeeding (nursing)**Serious Side Effects**

Stroke or blood clots
	Dementia in women 65 years and older
	Gallbladder disease or high triglyceride (cholesterol) levels that could lead to problems with your pancreas
	Vision loss caused by a blood clot in the eye
	Liver problems
	High blood pressure
	Severe allergic reaction**Less Serious, Common Side Effects**

Muscle spasms
	Nausea
	Diarrhea
	Upset stomach/stomach pain
	Throat pain
	Dizziness
	Neck Pain**For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA**.

Important Questions to Ask about Menopause Hormone Medicines

Are hormones right for me? Why?
	What are the benefits?
	What are the serious risks and common side effects?
	How long should I use hormone therapy?
	What is the lowest dose that will work for me?
	Are there any non-hormone medicines that I can take?**Want more information about menopause? Check the FDA website at: www.fda.gov/menopause**

The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. Check **Drugs@FDA** for the latest facts on each product listed in this booklet.

Resources For You

Menopause
	Menopause & Hormones - Common Questions fact sheet (PDF, 2051 KB)
	About the Office of Women's Health
	Take Time To Care Program
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      08/22/2019
              
              
Health Topic(s)
			  Sexual Health
			    			       			    			       Aging
			       			    			       Reproductive OrgansFree publications for women

          
                        English Publications
          Publicaciones en Español [Spanish Publications]
          Publications in Other Languages
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop