Esterified Estrogens

Esterified estrogens is a hormone replacement therapy medication. It is approved for treating menopausal symptoms, reducing symptoms of certain cancers that have spread throughout the body, and treating hormone deficiency in younger women whose ovaries do not produce enough estrogen. Esterified estrogens comes in tablet form and is available by prescription. The tablets, which are available in four different strengths, are generally taken once daily.

 

What Is Esterified Estrogens?

Esterified estrogens (Menest®) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. Although it is most often used as a hormone replacement for menopausal women, it is approved for several different uses. Approved uses of esterified estrogens include:
 
  • Treating menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness
  • Replacing hormones in younger women whose ovaries do not produce enough estrogen (or who have had their ovaries removed)
  • Reducing the symptoms of certain cancers (in both men and women) that have spread throughout the body.
     
(Click What Is Esterified Estrogens Used For? for more information on esterified estrogens uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Esterified Estrogens Side Effects

As with any medicine, esterified estrogens can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of estrogen medications, such as esterified estrogens, include (but are not limited to):
 
  • Breast pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Vaginal bleeding.
     
(Click Side Effects of Esterified Estrogens to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;