Feeling the symptoms of menopause? You are not alone. But you are unique. While menopause affects every woman at some point, no two experiences are exactly the same.

Hormone therapies that are FDA-approved have been clinically tested for safety and have been demonstrated to work. However, as with all drugs, there are benefits and risks to hormone therapy. These will be different for each person. All hormone therapies, whether a pill, patch or topical, carry FDA warnings about potential serious risks.

Estrogen Alone

• Increases your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb) if not used with progestin²
• Do not use to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia (decline of brain function)²
• May increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots²
• May increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older²

Estrogen with Progestin

• Do not use to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia²
• May increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots²
• May increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older²

If you have a uterus you should take progestin when using estrogen to reduce your risk of endometrial cancer. If you do not have a uterus, you may be able to use estrogen alone. Talk to your doctor to find out what’s right for you. These warnings are meant to underscore the importance of weighing the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Together with your doctor, you can decide if hormone therapy is right for you. Hormone therapy has been shown in clinical trials to relieve hot flashes and is approved as first-line therapy for relief of menopause symptoms in appropriate patients. To learn more about the potential risks of hormone therapy, please read the Patient Information leaflet or the Full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning for Divigel®.

Although they both often contain estradiol, there are significant differences between custom-compounded therapies and FDA-approved therapies such as Divigel®. Compounded hormone therapy may be appropriate for some women. These may include women who have specific allergies. However, compounded products are NOT FDA-approved. They are not tested for safety or effectiveness nor are they closely monitored. Although the “active ingredients” are government approved, the mixtures are not. There is less oversight for quality, purity and consistency. For these reasons, many associations including the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Medical Association (AMA), The Endocrine Society, and The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), warn against using compounded hormone therapy.³ The bottom line is that before seeking custom-compounded hormones, you should talk with your doctor. Discuss your treatment goals, your personal and family medical history, and the potential risks of any and all medications you are currently taking or thinking about taking.

Menopause is indeed a natural part of life, and some women have no symptoms or mild symptoms that do not interfere with their day-to-day activities. However, many women experience moderate to severe hot flashes or night sweats. These disrupt activities and interrupt sleep. You don’t have to put up with hot flashes and night sweats. Talk to your doctor about treating your symptoms.

Divigel® has broad insurance coverage. In fact, Divigel® is one of the lower cost transdermal estrogen gel therapies⁴. And with the Divigel® Patient Savings Coupon, you may be eligible to save even more on your prescription.