Women suffering from the irritating symptoms of pre-menopause have several options available to them when selecting their course of treatment. One drug available as part of Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is called Estrasorb.

About Estrasorb

Estrasorb is used as part of a replacement therapy program. Estrasorb, otherwise known as estradiol topical emulsion, has been engineered to supply a woman’s body with estradiol through a topical application. The drug comes packaged in foil pouches. A woman typically applies the contents from two foil pouches to her skin daily in order to maintain therapeutic levels of the drug in her bloodstream. Estradiol is the main form of estrogen in a woman’s body; therefore, this drug is designed to be potent and effective.

Women who take other drugs should consult with their doctor before taking Estrasorb, because certain drugs may interfere with the effectiveness of Estrasorb. They include drugs such as St. John’s Wort in its various formulations, Phenobarbital, and certain antibiotics. The drug may also affect a woman’s risk of getting invasive breast cancer or of suffering from heart disease, so discuss these risks with your doctor before beginning the medication.

When taken with progestin, the drug showed less risk of encouraging the development of uterine cancer in women. However, when taking a combination of the two hormones, women should schedule regular check ups to ensure other potential risks are kept to a minimum. Other important things to remember about Estrasorb are that it should not be taken during pregnancy, in case pregnancy does occur. The drug also decreases the quality of breast milk, as well as the quantity, and a woman wishing to take the drug during breastfeeding should consult her doctor and be carefully monitored during treatment.

Estrasorb relieves symptoms of hot flashes in particular. More common side effects of the drug that are less serious in nature than breast cancer and high blood pressure include breast tenderness, skin irritation, and headache. Hair loss can also occur. The drug is applied to the clean, dry skin of each thigh area and should be used for as little time as needed. Doing so will lessen the risks of any more serious side effects. Discuss with your doctor an appropriate time frame in which to discontinue taking the drug, and together formulate a plan to gradually stop taking the drug so your symptoms will not immediately return.