Hormone Replacement Therapies: Synthetic
and Natural
Conventional ERT
Estriol/Natural Estrogen
Synthetic Progestins
Natural Progesterone
Conventional ERT
| Benefits | Side Effects | Brand Names | Method |
| Eliminates hot flashes; Decreases vaginal dryness, soreness, and pain during intercourse; Improves short term memory; Reduces anxiety, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, depression; Improves skin and muscle tone; Prevents or treats osteoporosis; Prevents heart disease; Improves longevity. |
Withdrawal bleeding; Fluid retention; Bloating; Headaches; Nausea; Anxiety; irritability; moodiness; Vaginal discharge; Estrogen allergy; Increases risk of breast cancer and heart disease |
Alora
Cenestin Climara Estinyl Estrace Estraderm Estratab Estring FemPatch Menest Premarin Ogen Ortho-est Vivelle |
patch
pill patch pill cream patch pill ring patch pill pill pill pill patch |
| Benefits | Side Effects |
Brand Names |
Method |
| Eliminates hot flashes; Decreases vaginal dryness, soreness, and pain during intercourse; Reduces anxiety, irritability, mood swings, fatigue, depression. |
Minimal: rarely Nausea; Bloating |
None Available from compounding pharmacy |
pill or cream |
| Benefits | Side Effects |
Brand Names |
Method |
| Prevents endometrial cancer; Reduces hot flashes; Prevents or treats osteoporosis; Restores libido. |
Depression, mood changes, fatigue; Breast tenderness or enlargement; Increased appetite; Adverse effect on blood lipids (synthetic); Headaches. |
Amen Aygestin Cycrin Micronor Prometrium Provera |
pill pill pill pill pill pill |
Natural Progesterone
| Benefits | Side Effects | Brand Names | Method |
| Prevents hyperplasia; Reduces hot flashes (for some women); Prevents or treats osteoporosis; Restores libido |
Minimal: occasional sedation, fatigue, worsening of hot flashes. |
Pro-Gest Fem-Gest |
cream cream |