Evamist.com – Glossary

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Estradiol

Estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen in the human body, a hormone
produced by the ovaries.¹ The type of estradiol contained within Evamist,
17ß-estradiol,² is plant-based and similar to the kind the ovaries make prior to menopause.

Estrogen

Estrogen is one of 3 naturally occurring hormones in women and the primary
female sex hormone. It is produced primarily by the ovaries, promotes the
development of the breasts, and helps regulate the menstrual cycle.

Estrogen plus progestogen therapy (EPT)

In addition to relieving many of the symptoms of menopause, estrogen
causes the lining of the uterus to grow and thicken. Before menopause, a
woman’s body naturally lines the uterus every month and then “sheds” this
lining during a period. But if the lining stays thickened for longer than
normal—as in the case when there is no period—it can be unhealthy and
may result in cancer of the uterus. Progestogen is a hormone that helps
prevent the lining of the uterus from thickening and is often used in
combination with estrogen in women who have not had a hysterectomy.³

Estrogen therapy (ET)

Estrogen therapy involves supplementing estrogen during menopause—
a period marked by decreased natural estrogen production—to provide
reductions in menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.

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Hormone therapy (HT)

Hormone therapy can be referred to as estrogen therapy, progestogen
therapy, or estrogen plus progestogen therapy. It works by supplementing
a body with the hormones that it used to make more of before menopause.
Estrogens and progestogens are types of hormone therapy.³ Hormone
therapy is the only proven therapy approved by the FDA to treat symptoms
of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.^*4

Hot flashes

Hot flashes are feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest that can
cause sweating and even result in drenching sweat followed by chills due to
a lack of estrogen in the body. The frequency and length of hot flashes
varies from woman to woman.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, which can cause early
onset of menopause.

Menopause

Menopause is defined as the time when a woman has not had her monthly
period for 1 year. It begins naturally when the ovaries begin to make less
estrogen and progesterone. Most women naturally enter the beginning
phase of menopause (ie, perimenopause) in their 40s or 50s. Women may
start to notice the pattern of their periods changing, experience hot flashes,
feel more irritable, or go through a variety of other physical and emotional
changes.

Moderate-to-severe hot flashes^5,6

• Mild: hot flashes that usually don’t cause sweating
• Moderate: hot flashes that usually include sweating, but don’t limit
activities
• Severe: hot flashes that usually cause sweating, prompting a woman
to stop her activity

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Night sweats

Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night, often disrupting sleep.

Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of both ovaries. In the case of an oophorectomy, menstruation stops immediately, regardless of age, and women often have some of the typical symptoms related to natural menopause.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the thinning of the bones that often occurs during menopause; bones can become so brittle that they are prone to fracture or break.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transitional phase when a woman’s body begins its move into menopause (what some women call “going through menopause”) and can last up to 6 years. During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually make less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can cause changes in how a woman’s body feels and acts (eg, irregularities in period, hot flashes, trouble sleeping through the night, and even mood changes).

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is all the years after menopause. Many women may still continue to experience menopause-related symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats.

Progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone naturally produced during the reproductive years that helps prevent the lining of the uterus from thickening.

Progestogen

Progestogen is a naturally produced or synthetic hormone that helps prevent the lining of the uterus from thickening. It is available by prescription and is often used together with estrogen in women who have not had a hysterectomy.³

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Surgical menopause

Menopause can result from surgery. A hysterectomy (the surgical removal of
the uterus) may lead to menopause. A hysterectomy may cause the ovaries
to produce less estrogen earlier than normal. As the ovaries gradually make
less estrogen, women who have had a hysterectomy may go through
perimenopause and experience menopausal symptoms. Surgical menopause
also occurs with an oophorectomy—when both ovaries are removed and no
longer provide estrogen, even if the uterus is still present and remains intact. In this case, menstruation stops, regardless of age, and women often have some of the typical symptoms related to natural menopause.

Transdermal therapy

Transdermal therapy involves medication, like Evamist, that is applied directly
to the skin. Unlike a pill or capsule, this medicine is absorbed through the
skin and delivered directly to the bloodstream (bypassing the liver).

Vaginal dryness (atrophy)

The tissues of the vagina may become thin and dry (a condition known as
vaginal atrophy); the vagina produces less lubrication, causing dryness, and
can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or painful.

» Footnote References

Important Safety Information

Evamist^® is approved by the FDA for use after menopause to reduce moderate-to-severe hot flashes.

Estrogens increase the chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using Evamist. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus. Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause.

Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogen, with or without progestins, may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women age 65 years or older. Evamist should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the past year; currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.

The most common side effects that may occur with Evamist are headache, breast tenderness, the common cold, nipple pain, back pain, nausea, and joint pain.

You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Evamist.

Please see full prescribing information for Evamist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.