Tools for making correct decisions regarding hormone therapy. part I: background and drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To review existing scientific data related to the biology of estrogen in the aging process of women, and to understand the pharmacology, physiology, and diversity of sex hormones.


METHODS
A MEDLINE computer search was performed to identify relevant articles.


RESULTS
Estrogen and progesterone have been prescribed for postmenopausal women over the last 60 years. Various formulations have had divergent properties, which are related to dissimilarities in the molecule structure, metabolism, plasma carrier, distribution, receptor binding, and the specific localizations of the different receptors in the various organs.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive data are available on the various characteristics of sex-hormone formulations, which are related to clinical consequences. The drugs and means of application have resulted in fundamental differences in activity, such as variance between oral and transdermal applications resulting in different forms of liver involvement. This information could assist in understanding why certain formulations may either prove harmful or beneficial to specific women.
Shoham
Zeev
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel, affiliated with the Hadassah Medical School, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. zeev@cc.huji.ac.il
Kopernik
Gideon
G
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000375:Aging; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D004967:Estrogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011374:Progesterone / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004967:Estrogens; D005782:Gels; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011374:Progesterone