Recent advances in hormonal replacement therapy

Abstract

There are various methods of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The oral route has been used for over 3 decades. Despite its proven efficacy by this route, dose related adverse effects is a major drawback due to hepatic first pass metabolism. In recent years, a number of non oral-routes which avoid hepatic first pass metabolism, have been used in hormonal replacement therapy (H.R.T.). These include intramuscular depot injections, subcutaneous implants, vaginal creams and pessaries. Recently transdermal patches known as the transdermal therapeutic system (T.T.S.) contains estradiol known as Estraderm and Systen; this contains micronized 17ß estradiol, which is an outgrowth of the ongoing evolution of transdermal delivery system.