Menopause Glossary

Continuous Combined Hormone Therapy

Cyclic Hormone Therapy

Endometrium

Estrogen

Hormone Therapy

Hot Flashes (Vasomotor symptom)

Hysterectomy

Menopause

Metabolism

Night Sweats (Vasomotor symptom)

Oophorectomy

Ovary

Perimenopause

Premenopause

Progesterone/Progestin

Regimen

Topical/Local Hormone Therapy

Transdermal Hormone Therapy

Unopposed Estrogen Therapy

Vasomotor


Continuous Combined Hormone Therapy

Taking estrogen and progestin daily. Does not produce regular monthly bleeding.

Cyclic Hormone Therapy

Also called Continuous Sequential Therapy. Taking estrogen alone for the first half of a month, then estrogen plus progestin the second half of the month.

Endometrium

The mucous membrane lining the uterus.

Estrogen

Hormone produced primarily by the ovaries until menopause that is necessary for normal menstrual function.

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Hormone Therapy

Estrogen plus progestin used in the treatment of postmenopausal women who still have a uterus. Hormone therapy may also include unopposed estrogen therapy. (See glossary term.)

Hot Flashes (Vasomotor symptom)

Also called Hot Flushes. A sudden wave of body heat caused by rushes of hormonal changes as a result of decreased levels of estrogen. Hot flashes can occur at any time and may last from a few seconds to a half-hour.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

Menopause

Menopause is the point in a woman's life when menstruation stops. Menopause is confirmed when 12 months have passed since a woman's last menstrual period.

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Metabolism

Also applies to the processing of drugs in the body. The series of chemical changes which take place in an organism, by which food is utilized and waste materials are eliminated.

Night Sweats (Vasomotor symptom)

Severe hot flashes which occur at night and result in a drenching sweat.

Oophorectomy

Surgical removal of the ovaries.

Ovary

One of usually two organs that produce ova (eggs) and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

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Perimenopause

Perimenopause or premenopause is the one or two years immediately before menopause. Premenopause can also refer to the whole of the reproductive period prior to menopause.

Premenopause

Premenopause or perimenopause is the one or two years immediately before menopause. Premenopause can also refer to the whole of the reproductive period prior to menopause.

Progesterone/Progestin

Two words often used interchangeably. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries until menopause; it is important in controlling the growth of cells lining the uterus. Progestin is a synthetic form of progesterone.

Regimen

Schedule of medication.

Topical/Local Hormone Therapy

Is applied directly inside the vagina to alleviate specific symptoms such as vaginal dryness and atrophy. Topical estrogens can also be applied to the skin.

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Transdermal Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy administered through the skin via a patch.

Unopposed Estrogen Therapy

A form of hormone therapy consisting of estrogen only, usually prescribed for hysterectomized women.

Vasomotor

Relating to the nerves and muscles that cause the blood vessels to constrict or dilate, such as hot flashes.

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WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COMBIPATCH (A COMBINATION OF ESTROGEN AND PROGESTIN HORMONES)?

Do not use estrogens and progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills). Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots, and may increase your risk of dementia.

Do not use CombiPatch if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). CombiPatch should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.

The most common side effects that may occur with CombiPatch are breast pain, vaginal bleeding, and headache.

1CombiPatch is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; and treat certain conditions in which a young woman’s ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. If you use CombiPatch only to treat your dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina, talk with your health care professional about whether a topical vaginal product would be better for you.

You and your health care professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with CombiPatch and whether you are taking the lowest dose that works for you.

The information contained within this web site is appropriate for U.S. residents only. A visit to this site should not replace a visit to your doctor.

Available by prescription only.

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