oestrogens, conjugated at a glance
Medicine class
Systemic oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy.
Main roles
Relief of postmenopausal oestrogen-deficiency symptoms and selected prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Administration
Swallow the coated tablet whole; do not divide, crush, chew or dissolve it.
Womb protection
People with a uterus will usually also need a progestogen to protect the womb lining.
What is oestrogens, conjugated used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Hormone replacement therapy for symptoms caused by oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high future fracture risk when other licensed osteoporosis medicines are unsuitable or not tolerated.
How does oestrogens, conjugated work?
Its components include sulfate forms of oestrone, equilin and estradiol. After absorption they bind oestrogen receptors, replacing reduced menopausal oestrogen activity, modifying pituitary feedback and reducing accelerated bone loss.
How to take oestrogens, conjugated
Follow the prescription and pack instructions. The tablets are taken by mouth and may be taken with normal food and drink.
Swallow each tablet whole.
Do not remove the coating or divide, crush, chew or dissolve the tablet.
Check with a pharmacist before starting supplements or herbal products.
oestrogens, conjugated side effects
Common or expected effects
- Breast pain, tenderness, enlargement or discharge
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
- Hair loss
- Low mood or depression
- Joint pain or leg cramps
- Changes in weight
- Vaginal discharge
Get urgent medical advice
- Painful swelling of one leg, sudden chest pain or breathlessness suggesting a blood clot
- Sudden facial weakness, speech difficulty or limb weakness suggesting a stroke
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat, breathing difficulty or collapse suggesting a severe allergy
- Jaundice or worsening liver function
- A new migraine-type headache or marked rise in blood pressure
- New breast changes or persistent, heavy or late-onset vaginal bleeding
oestrogens, conjugated in pregnancy
This treatment is not indicated during pregnancy and is not contraceptive. If pregnancy occurs, stop it and contact the prescriber; available evidence does not suggest that inadvertent early oestrogen exposure usually harms the fetus.
oestrogens, conjugated while breastfeeding
Conjugated oestrogens are not indicated during breastfeeding. Oestrogen HRT is not usually prescribed while breastfeeding unless a specialist considers it appropriate.
oestrogens, conjugated interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital
These enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines may reduce oestrogen exposure, decreasing its effect or altering bleeding.
Rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine and efavirenz
These medicines may accelerate oestrogen metabolism and reduce treatment effect.
St John's wort
This herbal product may lower oestrogen concentrations and alter symptom control or bleeding.
Common questions about oestrogens, conjugated
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What are conjugated oestrogens used for?
They are systemic HRT for postmenopausal oestrogen-deficiency symptoms and may also be used to prevent osteoporosis in selected high-risk women when other licensed options are unsuitable.
Are conjugated oestrogens the same as estradiol?
No. They are a mixture containing several oestrogen compounds, whereas estradiol products contain a single principal human oestrogen.
Why is a progestogen prescribed with conjugated oestrogens?
In someone with a uterus, unopposed systemic oestrogen can thicken the womb lining and increase endometrial cancer risk; a progestogen reduces that risk.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.