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What is Cenestin?

Cenestin (generic name synthetic conjugated estrogens) is a form of the hormone estrogen used for treating the symptoms of menopause. It's made from soy and yam plants. As a woman approaches menopause, her body makes less estrogen, which can lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and urinary incontinence. By providing replacement estrogen, Cenestin can help prevent these symptoms.

Other forms of replacement estrogen such as >Premarin (conjugated estrogens from an animal source) not only relieve menopausal symptoms but can also help prevent osteoporosis and heart disease. Doctors don't know for sure if Cenestin will also have these effects, but it seems likely. If you have a history of breast cancer or blood clots, check with your doctor before taking Cenestin. Pregnant women shouldn't take this medicine.

Unless it's combined with the hormone progesterone, estrogen replacement therapy can increase a woman's risk of developing cancer of the uterus. Estrogen may also increase the risk of breast cancer. You should discuss the risks and benefits of estrogen therapy with your doctor. It's important for you to decide together with your doctor if Cenestin is right for you.

You can take Cenestin once daily, with or without food.

Sources:
Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Cenestin product information. Duramed/Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2006.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.

This answer prepared 10/26/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.