Hormone replacement therapy administration routes

Hormone-replacement therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and vulvovaginal atrophy and should be considered for women experiencing these symptoms. The goals of treatment are to alleviate or reduce menopausal symptoms and to improve the patient s quality of life while minimizing adverse effects of therapy. The appropriate route of administration should be chosen based on individual patient symptoms and should be continued at the lowest dose for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals for each patient. 

Ffuman and animal exposure to phytoestrogens usually occurs by two routes, ingestion of food products containing the agents or as over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Ffowever, a number of cosmetic preparations contain certain of these natural estrogens which may be absorbed through the skin. Medical problems associated with administration of hormone replacement therapy, as described in the report of the Women s Health Initiative, have motivated many women to seek nonmedical means of post-menopausal endocrine replacement, such as phytoestrogen supplements. 

Currently research is being carried out into the suitability of the nasal route for the administration for drugs for insulin-dependent diabetes and hormone replacement therapy. 

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