Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic hormone used in hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies. It can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer and regulate menstrual cycles. However, it can be contraindicated in some cases and must be taken at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
Ethinylestradiol, also known as ethinyl estradiol or EE, is a synthetic hormone used primarily in hormonal contraceptives, although it has several other medical uses. It is part of a class of hormones known as estrogens, and like other estrogen hormones, it can play a role in women’s reproductive cycle.
Ethinylestradiol’s most common use is in hormonal birth control, usually in the form of a combination drug that includes a form of progesterone or progestin. The use of ethinylestradiol in contraceptive drugs allows for low dosages, so patients can receive the benefits without other harmful side effects. Patients can receive the drug in oral form or in the form of a patch, gel, or insertable drug that is delivered directly into the vagina.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, ethinyl estradiol also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer and can be used to regulate menstrual cycles. Women who have painful, irregular, or difficult periods can use ethinylestradiol to manage their periods. If women using the drug want to become pregnant, they will need to stop taking it for at least a month to allow the hormones to clear their bodies.
This drug is also used in hormone replacement therapies used to treat menopausal women. Taking ethinyl estradiol and other medications can reduce menopausal symptoms and ease the transition, keeping women more comfortable. Women undergoing HRT for menopause will need close medical supervision to ensure that the doses are correct and that no problems develop.
There are some cases where taking ethinyl estradiol is contraindicated. People with bleeding disorders may be at risk for complications from ethinylestradiol, especially if they smoke, and the drug can also interact poorly with some cancers and other medical conditions. For this reason it is important to discuss any pre-existing conditions with a doctor when ordering a prescription for birth control, to ensure that the doctor chooses the most appropriate medication.
The liver metabolizes ethinyl estradiol very quickly, which can be a problem when dosages are calculated. It is crucial that you take the medication at the same time each day or use a slow release method of administration such as the birth control patch which will slowly deliver doses to the body over time. Failure to follow directions for use can make birth control less effective, because it breaks down very quickly in the body.
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