conjugated estrogen /kon″jəgā′tid/ , a mixture of sodium salts of estrogen sulfates, chiefly those of estrone, equilin, and 17-alpha-dihydroequilin. Conjugated estrogens may be prescribed to relieve postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes; to treat atrophic vaginitis, female hypogonadism, or primary ovarian failure; and to provide palliation in advanced prostatic carcinoma and metastatic breast cancer in selected patients. The drug is also used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Continued use of estrogens can increase the risk of endometrial carcinoma, gallbladder disease, and thromboembolic disorders. Because of the danger of damage to the fetus, all female sex hormones are contraindicated during pregnancy. Among the adverse effects of conjugated estrogens are breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, headache, water retention, and skin eruptions. Current preliminary evidence suggests that there are no cardiovascular benefits to estrogen use during menopause, evidence that led to early discontinuation of the clinical study and changes in the product labeling. Coronary heart disease, the focus of the study, was actually increased in the treatment group, along with breast cancer, stroke, and thromboembolism. Topical agents rather than systemic estrogen should be used for treating vulvar or vaginal atrophy. Nonestrogen agents are recommended for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
