pharmacists----is estradiol prescription only inthe US?

Question

because I keep seeing it for sale in pumps and such--how are they doing this, like take this Estrogel, it.s 0.6% which means .6g/100ml which = 6mg/ml
Premarin was .625mg of estrogens, so in 1/10th of a ml (a few drops) you'd get the same dose, and that dose of .625 was considered DANGEROUS in the Women's Health Initiative, and most sprayers are going to overdose that amount, and they're not quantitative.
Sorry but I'm very confused how these bioidentical hormones which are identical to premarin, can be sold in pumps, they're absorbed through the skin, so they're still dosed.
Can someone in the know explain this? Thanks

http://www.estrogel.com/benefits.htm

premarin is conjugated estrogens, combinations of estradiol, estriol and estrone, which are identical to human estrogens...that's just dumb to say that estradiol from horse pee is different than estradiol made through synthetic processes from plant sterols

Estrogen and ptogesterone and testosterone are all extremely lipophilic and absorb VERY READILY through the skin, which is why femring and estring have microgram quantities and sufficient absorprtion...and the hormone creams are often prescribed for genital use, not that that matters because if the hormones are in a lipophilic carrier they're extremely well absorbed. Imagine a 3% estradiol cream (which I found out is legal), if a patient uses only 1 tsp, they could absorb up to 15 grams of estradiol per day. In any case, compare that to WHI where only 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogens (including weaker estriol and estrone) were used and had detrimental effect.
FDA YOU MUST STOP LEGALIZING HORMONE CREAMS WHEN ALL OTHER DOSAGE FORMS ARE PRESCRIPTION, the overdose potential is very ominous.

Answer 1

Estrogen is used to treat hot flushes ('hot flashes'; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause ('change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods). Some brands of estrogen are also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, or burning, or to prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who are experiencing or have experienced menopause. However, women who need a medication only to treat vaginal dryness or only to prevent osteoporosis should consider a different treatment. Some brands of estrogen are also to relieve symptoms of low estrogen in young women who do not produce enough estrogen naturally. Some brands of estrogen are also used to relieve the symptoms of certain types of breast and prostate (a male reproductive gland) cancer. Estrogen is in a class of medications called hormones. It works by replacing estrogen that is normally produced by the body.
Estradiol topical gel and emulsion (lotion type mixture) are used to treat and prevent hot flushes (hot flashes; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause (change of life; the end of monthly menstrual periods). Estradiol topical gel is also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, and burning in women who are experiencing menopause. However, women whose only bothersome symptoms are vaginal burning, itching, and dryness may benefit more from a medication that is applied topically to the vagina. Estradiol is in a class of medications called estrogen hormones. It works by replacing estrogen that is normally produced by the body.
Please see the web pages for more details on Estrogen (generic name) Premarin (brand name) and Estradiol.

Answer 2

If you are using the vaginal estrogen creams, they are not that much absorbed systemically. They just stay way you put them. For many, the vaginal cream provides the needed relief.
The WHI study just shows estrogen should not be taken in people who are 10 years post menopause. It is generally accepted for recent menopausal women with severe symptoms, it is okay for them to take estrogen. Once the symptoms start to subside, you should try to decrease the dose and discontinue.

Answer 3

Bio-identical hormones are NOT the same as Premarin. Premarin is named from its source: PREgnant MARe urINe. Premarin is a concoction of horse estrogen metabolites! Bio-identical hormones are chemically the same molecules naturally produced by human metabolism.