“For hot flashes, hormones are given in pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring that deliver hormones throughout the body—known as systemic therapy”.1

Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy and Systemic Therapy Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Systemic Hormone Therapy
  • Systemic Hormones
  • Systemic Therapy

Systemic Hormones

What are systemic hormones?

DotS the definition of systemic hormones may vary. The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Systemic hormones include estrogens—either the same or similar to the estrogens the body produces naturally—and progestogens, which include progesterone, the progestogen the body produces naturally—or a similar compound”.2

Systemic Therapy

What is systemic therapy?

DotS the definition of systemic therapy may vary. The NAMS’s definition is:

“Systemic therapy. Drug therapy that circulates through the body, affecting many body systems. Examples include oral and skin patch estrogen drugs”.3

Options

What are some systemic therapy options?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? the NAMS explain:


Hormone Therapy and Systemic Therapy“For hot flashes, hormones are given in pills, patches, sprays, gels, or a vaginal ring that deliver hormones throughout the body—known as systemic therapy”.4

SERMs

What are SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators)?

In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? the NAMS also note:

“Another approach to systemic hormone therapy is a pill that combines conjugated estrogens and a compound known as a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) that protects the uterus but is not a progestogen. Women who have had a hysterectomy (had their uterus removed) can use estrogen alone to control their hot flashes. Women who still have a uterus need to take a progestogen in addition to estrogen or the estrogen-SERM combination to protect against uterine cancer”.5

Health Care Provider

What if I choose to use systemic therapy?

If you choose to use systemic therapy, it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The NAMS explain:

“Systemic hormones are very effective for hot flashes and have other benefits, such as protecting your bones. They also can carry risks, such as blood clots and breast cancer”.6

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy and Systemic Therapy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Systemic Hormone Therapy?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 August 2023
  2. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 August 2023
  3. Menopause Glossary: S – Systemic Therapy. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#S Accessed: 22 August 2023
  4. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 August 2023
  5. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 August 2023
  6. Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What Is Hormone Therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 22 August 2023
Topic Last Updated: 22 August 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 August 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email