Key takeaways
Activella (estradiol/norethindrone) and Divigel (estradiol) are both used to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but they have some key differences. Activella is a combination of estradiol and norethindrone, which means it includes both estrogen and progestin, making it suitable to take if you have a healthy uterus. It is taken orally as a tablet once a day. On the other hand, Divigel is a topical gel that only contains estradiol and is applied to the skin once a day. Additionally, Divigel requires careful application to avoid transferring the medication to others through skin contact, whereas Activella does not have this concern. Both medications carry risks such as blood clots, strokes, and certain cancers, but Divigel can raise the risk for uterine or endometrial cancer if you have a healthy uterus and don't use a progestin with it.
