Hormone Therapy for Menopausal Hot Flashes

Treatment Formulations and Efficacy

Transdermal estrogen patches with oral progestin may have a lower risk of venous thromboembolism, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1
The use of estrogen plus progestin therapy is associated with an increased risk of stroke and venous thromboembolism, as well as gallbladder disease and urinary incontinence, as reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine 2

For every 10,000 women taking estrogen and progestin for 1 year, there are increased risks of 7 additional coronary heart disease events, 8 more strokes, 8 more pulmonary emboli, and 8 more invasive breast cancers, but also benefits of 6 fewer cases of colorectal cancer and 5 fewer hip fractures, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine 3
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against using hormone therapy for prevention of chronic conditions, but acknowledges its role in symptom management, as stated in the Annals of Internal Medicine 4

Smoking cessation is recommended to help manage hot flashes, as suggested by the Annals of Internal Medicine 4
Regular follow-up to assess symptom control and side effects is necessary, according to the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1

Prescribing hormone therapy for prevention of chronic conditions rather than symptom relief should be avoided, as advised by the Annals of Internal Medicine 4
Using custom compounded bioidentical hormones, which lack data supporting claims of greater safety or efficacy, is not recommended, according to the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1