How Do Estrogen and Androgen Combos Work?

Estrogen and androgen combos are a class of drugs used for short-term (three to six months) treatment of menopausal (end of menstrual cycles) vasomotor symptoms such as episodes of flushing and sweating of the upper body and face called hot flashes and dryness, itching, and burning around the vagina. Menopause occurs when a female body stops producing the usual amount of sex hormone (estrogen). The only drug that belongs to this class is “estrogens esterified/methyltestosterone,” a combination of two hormones: a female hormone (estrogen) and a male hormone (methyltestosterone).

Estrogens are a group of hormones that are synthesized mainly by the ovaries and a small amount is synthesized by the testes in males and the adrenal cortex in both sexes. Androgens are steroid hormones that stimulate the development of male sex organs and sexual characteristics. Androgens are mainly released by the testes and in small amounts by the adrenal cortex and ovaries.

Estrogen and androgen combos are administered orally, typically once a day for 21 days, followed by no medication for seven days.

Estrogen and androgen combos work in the following ways:

• Menopause is associated with a marked decrease in ovarian estrogen production which results in low serum estradiol concentrations and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) in the majority of females.
• This combination medication works by boosting hormone levels and relieves some of the symptoms of menopause.

Estrogen and androgen combos are used to treat moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in patients not improved by estrogens alone.

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Stomach upset
• Bloating
• Acne

Other rare side effects include:

• Dizziness (feeling faint, weak, or unsteady)
• Lightheadedness
• Increased/decreased interest in sex 
• Breast tenderness/lump
• Mental/mood changes (severe depression, memory loss)
• Unusual vaginal discharge/itching/odor
• Menstrual irregularities
• Alopecia (a condition that causes unpredictable, patchy hair loss)
• Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium level)
• Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol level)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of estrogen and androgen combos include:

• Covaryx
• Estratest
• Estratest H.S.
• Estrogens esterified/methyltestosterone