Estroven Vs. Premarin
Estroven and Premarin are proven menopausal remedies that treat and minimize symptoms of hormonal imbalance and the physical and emotional fluctuations suffered by women during this change of life. While Premarin has been on the market longer than Estroven, both have been clinically studied for their effectiveness. While Estroven is a natural, mostly herbal remedy that's available over the counter, Premarin is a prescribed drug that has more side effects and risk factors than Estroven.
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Function
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Estroven is a natural supplement that gently and effectively treats irritability, night sweats, hot flashes and sleep difficulties. If taken before bedtime, its soothing and calming herbal effects help women relax and promotes sound sleep. It also protects the bones and promotes cardiovascular health. Premarin is a hormone replacement drug that treats hot flashes, burning, irritation, vaginal dryness and symptoms of osteoporosis. It also replaces estrogen levels in women whose ovaries have stopped functioning.
Ingredients
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Estroven is a natural herbal remedy comprised of vitamins B6, B12, D and E, thiamin, folate, calcium, selenium, boron, folic acid, phytoestrogens, isoflavones, soy, date seed extract, magnolia bark extract and black cohosh root. Premarin contains active ingredients called conjugated estrogens, which include sodium estrone sulfate, sodium equilin sulfate, dihydroequilin and estradiol, as well as several inactive ingredients, including calcium phosphate tribasic, magnesium stearate, cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sucrose and titanium dioxide.
Dosage
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Estroven is available in regular and maximum-strength tablets and is typically taken once a day with a little food to prevent stomach upset, preferably a few hours before bedtime to promote its relaxing effects. Estroven is generally taken by women over age 35.
Premarin comes either in a cream or in various-sized tablets. It should be taken according to a doctor's recommendations, which is usually every day at the same time with a glass of water and with or without food. Premarin is sometimes prescribed in cycles, such as 25 days on and five days off.
Precautions
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Women should not take Estroven if they are trying to have a baby, are already pregnant or are breastfeeding. They should not take Premarin if they have previously had a heart attack, stroke, blood clots, abnormal bleeding from the vagina, liver disease or any hormone-related cancers or cancers involving the breast or uterus. A woman taking Premarin should warn her doctor if she is allergic to any drugs, has undergone a hysterectomy or has any family history of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
Side Effects
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Estroven has no known side effects, while Premarin has many, including chest pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, stomach cramps, vomiting, sweating, sudden numbness or weakness, headaches, blurred vision, speech or balance problems, abnormal bleeding, swelling in the stomach, legs, hands, ankles or feet, confusion and memory problems, breast lumps, tenderness or pain in the breasts, noticeable changes in skin, hair or weight, vaginal itching and discharge, changes in sex drive and irregular menstrual periods. Women taking Premarin should report all side effects to their doctor.
Risks
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Women who take Premarin, typically those between the ages of 50 and 79, increase their risk of heart disease, stroke, deep-vein thrombosis, dementia, endometrial hyperplasia, birth defects and uterine and endometrial cancer. Premarin users should have regular physical exams and be checked by their doctor periodically if being treatment is long-term.
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