Estropipate Vs. Estrogen
Estrogen is a female sex hormone, and estropipate is a processed form of estrogen. Both hormones are used to treat a variety of reproductive-related conditions in women, and may also be used in hormone replacement therapy as well as the treatment of certain cancers.
-
Estrogen
-
Estrogen is a naturally occurring group of hormones found in women. It plays a vital role in reproductive and sexual development. A woman's ovaries produce the majority of estrogen hormones, though the adrenal glands are responsible for some of the production as well.
-
Estropipate
-
Estropipate is a crystalline form of estrogen, and is produced by purified crystalline estrone that has been solubilized as a sulfate, and then stabilized with the addition of piperazine. Estropipate is manufactured under the brand names Ogen and Ortho-Est, and may also be referred to as Piperazine Estrone Sulfate.
Usage
-
Both estrogen and estropipate are used to to treat hot flashes and vaginal dryness, burning and itching in menopausal women. Both types of medication may also be used as a preventative measure against post-menopausal osteoporosis. However, it is recommended that hormone therapy be used only in those women that have a significant risk of developing osteoporosis and are unable to take standard non-estrogen medications.
Additionally, estrogen may be prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in men and women, and prostate cancer in men.
Side Effects
-
Because estropipate is derived from estrogen, both medications produce similar side effects. Common side effects include swollen breasts, changes in menstrual cycle, mid-cycle spotting, acne or skin color changes, decreased libido, migraine headaches, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting, and depression.
Precautions
-
The use of estropipate or estrogen increases a woman's risk of breast cancer and endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that can potentially lead to the development of uterine cancer. Additionally, long-term use of either medication can put a woman at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and breast cancer. Progress should be monitored by a physician every three to six months, and breast exams should be performed on a monthly basis.
Do not use estropipate or estrogen if you have a bleeding disorder, abnormal vaginal bleeding, a history of circulation problems or stroke or any type of hormone-dependent cancer.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Doug Wheller
