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Premarin Alternatives
Although most people tolerate Premarin well, the medication can cause bothersome side effects or it may not adequately control your symptoms. In these cases, there are alternatives to Premarin. These can include other conventional medications, coping strategies, and natural remedies. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other possible options if this medication is not working for you.
An Introduction to Premarin Alternatives
Premarin® (conjugated estrogens) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. Most often, it is used to treat the symptoms of menopause (although it is approved for other uses as well). For most women, Premarin is effective and well tolerated. However, as with all medicines, bothersome or dangerous side effects can occur, or Premarin may not adequately control your symptoms. Also, for some women, the risks of taking Premarin may outweigh the potential benefits.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Premarin for menopause treatment, including:
- Coping strategies
- Other conventional medications
- Natural remedies.
Medications are not always the answer to all menopause symptoms. If you cannot take Premarin or other estrogen medications (or if you desire to avoid such medications), you may want to try other, non-drug ways to deal with the symptoms. For instance, there are a variety of vaginal lubricants and moisturizers currently available that can help provide relief from vaginal dryness and irritation. Some are even designed especially for menopausal women. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can also work wonders for some menopause symptoms.
(For more ideas on ways to cope with menopause symptoms, see Menopause Relief.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD