Nursing Management of HRT

There are numerous estrogen and progesterone formulations available for HRT (Table 9). Despite the lack of studies and consensus on HRT regimens, there are several basics to keep in mind. For example, estrogen can be administered cyclically, for up to 25 days each month with a pill-free interval at the end of the month, or continuously, for 365 days a year.

Table 9

If a woman has a uterus, progesterone must be added for protection against estrogen-induced endometrial cancer. Progesterone can be added to estrogen therapy either cyclically for a certain number of days each month, or continuously, for 365 days a year. Figure 13 shows the most common regimens in use today including cyclic, continuous cyclic, and continuous combined.

Figure 13