Key takeaways
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) and estradiol patch (Vivelle-Dot) are both medications used in hormone therapy, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct uses. Medroxyprogesterone is a progestin that helps regulate menstrual cycles and protects the uterus in postmenopausal women taking estrogen. Vivelle-dot is an estrogen replacement used to treat menopause symptoms and prevent bone loss. While both medications can be part of hormone replacement therapy, they are used differently. Medroxyprogesterone is taken orally, typically once a day for a set number of days each month, while Vivelle-dot is applied as a patch twice a week. Common side effects of medroxyprogesterone include spotting and breast tenderness, while estradiol can cause headaches and breast pain. Both medications can increase the risk of blood clots and certain cancers. However, medroxyprogesterone is specifically used to lower the risk of endometrial cancer when taking with estrogen.
