Some women choose to treat their menopause symptoms with hormone medicines. This booklet 

lists some basic information about the FDA-approved hormone medicines for menopause. Use 

this booklet to help you talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone medicines are 

right for you.

Learn more about menopause at: www.fda.gov/menopause

Menopause

Medicines To Help You

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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. There are different types of hormone 

medicines used during and after menopause:

n Estrogen-Only Medicine

Progestin-Only Medicines

Combination Estrogen and Progestin 

Medicines

Combination Estrogen and Other Medicines

This booklet does not talk about non-hormone medicines for menopause. Ask 

your healthcare provider about the FDA-approved non-hormone medicine for 

menopause called Brisdelle (paroxetine).

Side Effects

Hormone medicines can have side effects. Serious health problems can happen 

in women who take menopause hormone therapy.

n For some women, hormone medicines may raise their chances of blood

clots, heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer.

n For some women who are 65 years old or older, hormone medicines may

raise their chances of dementia.

n 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.

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 medicine

This booklet does not list all of the side effects and warnings for 

each hormone medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about all 

of the benefits and risks of taking hormone medicines. Also check 

the FDA website to learn more about each medicine listed in this 

booklet. 

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
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Estrogen-Only Medicine

Brand Name Generic Name Product Type

Alora Estradiol Patch

Cenestin Synthetic Conjugated 

Estrogens

Pill

Climara Estradiol Patch

Delestrogen Estradiol Valerate Injection (Shot)

Divigel Estradiol Gel

Elestrin Estradiol Gel

Enjuvia Synthetic Conjugated 

Estrogens

Pill

Esclim Estradiol Patch

Estrace Estradiol Pill, Vaginal Cream

Estraderm Estradiol Patch

Estrasorb Estradiol Skin Cream (Emulsion)

Estring Estradiol Vaginal Insert

EstroGel Estradiol Gel

Evamist Estradiol Skin Spray (Transdermal)

Femring Estradiol Acetate Vaginal Ring

Femtrace Estradiol Acetate Pill

Menest Esterified Estrogen Pill

Menostar (only used to 

prevent osteoporosis)

Estradiol Patch

Minivelle Estradiol Patch

Ogen Estropipate Pill, Vaginal Cream

Ortho-Est Estropipate Pill

Osphena (not estrogen 

only)

Ospemifene Pill

Premarin Conjugated Estrogens Pill, Vaginal Cream, Injection 

(Shot)

Vagifem Estradiol Vaginal Tablet

Vivelle Estradiol Patch

Vivelle-Dot Estradiol Patch
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 Estrogen-Only Medicines 

Do not use if you:

n have unusual vaginal bleedin

n have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cance

n have or have had blood clots in the legs or lung

n have a bleeding disorde

n have had a stroke or heart attac

n have liver problem

n have serious reactions to estrogen medicine

n think you are pregnan

Serious Side Effects

n Stroke or blood clot

n Endometrial cancer in women

who still have their uterus and 

who do not use progestin with 

estrogen-only medicines

n Dementia in women 65 years

and older

n Gallbladder disease or high

triglyceride (cholesterol) levels 

that could lead to problems 

with your pancreas

n Vision loss caused by a blood

clot in the eye

n Liver problem

n High blood pressur

n Severe allergic reaction

Less Serious, Common Side Effects

n Headache

n Painful or tender breast

n Vaginal spottin

n Stomach cramps/bloating

n Nausea and vomitin

n Hair los

n Fluid retention

n Vaginal yeast infectio

For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check 

Drugs@FDA: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
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Progestin-Only Medicines

Brand Name Generic Name Product Type

Prometrium Micronized 

Progesterone Pill

Provera Medroxyprogesterone 

Acetate Pill
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 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:

n have unusual vaginal bleedin

n have or have had certain cancers such as breast cancer or uterine cance

n have or have had blood clots in the legs or lung

n have a bleeding disorde

n have had a stroke or heart attac

n have liver problem

n have serious reactions to estrogen medicine

n think you are pregnan

Serious Side Effects

n Heart attack or strok

n Blood clot

n Breast cance

n Dementia in women 65 years

and older

n Gallbladder disease or high

triglyceride (cholesterol) levels 

that could lead to problems 

with your pancreas

n Vision loss caused by a blood

clot in the eye 

n Liver problem

n High blood pressur

n Severe allergic reaction

Less Serious, Common Side Effects

n Headache

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: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
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Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines

Brand Name Generic Name Product Type

Activella Estradiol/ 

Norethindrone Acetate Pill

Angeliq Estradiol/Drospirenone Pill

Climara Pro Estradiol/ 

Levonrgestrel Patch

Combipatch Estradiol/ 

Norethindrone Acetate Patch

Femhrt Norethindrone Acetate/ 

Ethinyl Estradiol Pill

Prefest Estradiol/Norgestimate Pill

Prempro Conjugated Estrogen/ 

Medroxyprogesterone Pill
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 Combination Estrogen and Progestin Medicines 

Do not use if you:

n have unusual vaginal bleedin

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

n think you are pregnan

Serious Side Effects

n Heart attack or strok

Blood clots

Breast cancer

Dementia in women 65 years 

and older

n Gallbladder disease or high

triglyceride (cholesterol) levels 

that could lead to problems 

with your pancreas

n Vision loss caused by a blood

clot in the eye 

n Liver problem

High blood pressure

Severe allergic reactions

Less Serious, Common Side Effects

n Headache

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: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
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Combination Estrogen and Other Medicines

Brand Name Generic Name Product Type

Duavee 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:

n have unusual vaginal bleedin

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 had a serious allergic reaction to estrogen medicines

think you are pregnant or may become pregnant

are breastfeeding (nursing)

Serious Side Effects

n Stroke or blood clot

Dementia in women 65 years 

and older

n Gallbladder disease or high

triglyceride (cholesterol) levels 

that could lead to problems 

with your pancreas

n Vision loss caused by a blood

clot in the eye

n Liver problem

High blood pressure

Severe allergic reaction

Less Serious, Common Side Effects

n Muscle spasm

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: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
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Important Questions to Ask about 

Menopause Hormone Medicines

n 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?
This booklet was developed by the U.S. Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of 

Women’s Health. To download free copies of 

this booklet and other materials visit: 

www.fda.gov/womenshealthpubs

Learn more about menopause: www.fda.gov/menopause

2013 TAKE TIME TO CARE... For yourself, for those who need you.

www.fda.gov/womens