Menopausal hormone therapy

Estrogen replacement combined with progestin in post-menopausal patients to relieve climacteric symptoms. Low-dose transdermal estradiol is preferred; ethinylestradiol as a component of MHT is less preferred.

ICD-10 N95.11 drug

Also known as: MHT, HRT

Drugs used for this condition

BEthinylestradiolSecond line · Estrogens. Natural and semisynthetic estrogens, plainAs a component of menopausal hormone therapy, ethinylestradiol is rarely used – current international guidelines (NICE NG23, NAMS 2022) prefer transdermal natural estradiol due to a better safety profile. Ethinylestradiol has stronger effects on hepatic coagulation factor synthesis and raises venous thromboembolism risk. Used only in selected clinical situations when modern MHT preparations are unavailable.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit