500
Daily Double
A 54 year old woman who had her final menstrual period 4 years ago requests a prescription for ‘bioidentical hormones’ to treat her hot flushes. As you discuss this topic with the patient, you make her aware that individually compounded pharmaceutical perparations of hormones have not demonstrated sufficient efficacy and safety to have FDA approval. She requests a hormone preparation that is “as natural as possible.” Which one of the following is the most appropriate prescription and regimen for this patient?
a. Estradiol 2 mg by mouth daily with medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg daily
b. Transdermal estradiol 50 mcg weekly plus micronized progesterone 200 mg for 12 days each month
c. Conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg daily plus medroxyprogesterone acetate, 10 mg for 12 days each month
d. Transdermal estradiol plus norethindrone patch (50 mcg/140mg)
e. Ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg plus drospirenone 1 mg daily