Bioidentical estradiol gel for hormone therapy in menopause

More than two-thirds of women experience hot flashes during menopause. Approximately 25% of women during perimenopause and in the first years after menopause experience severe symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, changes in mood, insomnia, vaginal and skin atrophy and dyspareunia. Hormone therapy is effective in treating menopausal symptoms. However, data from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) I, HERS II, the Women's Health Initiative and the Million Women Study have raised many concerns regarding the safety and usefulness of hormone therapy. Recently, ‘bioidentical’ estradiol therapy at low dosage has been proposed as an alternative to standard hormone therapy. Percutaneous administration of estradiol enables the creation of a hormonal milieu similar to that of the follicular phase. Elestrin™ is a new percutaneous gel that delivers estradiol to the bloodstream evenly over time in a nonirritating, painless and well-accepted manner. Elestrin is administered using a metered dose applicator, thereby allowing precise titration from dose to dose in order to minimize the amount of hormone administered. Notably, Elestrin is currently the drug that delivers the lowest dosage of estradiol approved by the US FDA for treating menopausal symptoms. © 2007, Future Drugs Ltd. All rights reserved.