Common Medications
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Being a woman has a significant impact on health due to both biological and gender-based differences. Some health issues are unique to women, such as pregnancy, menopause, and other conditions related to the female reproductive system. Sex hormones produced by the ovaries in women are involved in many body functions including growth and development and bone mass. A disruption in these hormones can lead to women’s health problems.
Also, certain health issues affect both genders but affect women differently. For example, women are more likely to suffer from urinary tract problems, osteoarthritis, eating disorders, gallstones, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression, and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Women are also less likely to survive a heart attack than men. Compared to men, a lower amount of alcohol consumption is needed for women to develop alcohol-related health problems. The metabolism of some drugs can be faster or slower in women than men, thereby affecting the dosages they should take.
Medications for Women’s Health
Some of the most common medications used to treat women’s health issues are described below.
Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are taken to prevent pregnancy. They contain the female hormones estrogen (which controls menstrual bleeding) and progesterone (which prevents pregnancy by blocking the release of the egg from the ovary). There are three types of oral contraceptives available – those containing combined estrogen and progesterone, those containing progesterone only, and extended use or continuous pills. Oral contraceptive pills should be taken daily at approximately the same time every day because taking them more than 24 hours apart can affect how well they work. Your doctor will guide you on what to do if you miss a dose.
Contraceptive injections like Depo-Provera contain the hormone progestin and are given every 3 months. This method of contraception is more convenient for many women compared to remembering to take a pill every day.
Antibiotics like clindamycin (Clindesse, Cleocin) are used to treat bacterial vaginosis, which is an infection and inflammation of the vagina caused by an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. The medication is available as a cream that can be applied to the vagina.
Antifungals like miconazole (Monistat), fluconazole (Diflucan), and terconazole are used to treat vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis). These medications are available as tablets, creams, ointments, and suppositories.
Fertility drugs like clomiphene, gonadotropins (Menopur, Follistim, Bravelle, Ovidrel, Pregnyl) are used in women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. They work by stimulating ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary).
Hormone therapy for breast cancer includes selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen and toremifene. These medications work by preventing certain breast cancers from growing that are fueled by estrogen.
Aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane (Aromasin), letrozole (Femara), and anastrozole (Arimidex) work by preventing the body from making estrogen. They can reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Women’s Health
Some creams, suppositories, and tablets are available over-the-counter to treat common vaginal infections, such as Gyne-Lotrimin and Monistat. These OTC therapies are appropriate for self-treatment of mild, infrequent, and uncomplicated infections. It is, however, important to speak to a health care provider before self-treating symptoms that do not resolve with OTC treatment or recur frequently. This is to ensure that the condition is diagnosed accurately (for example, bacteria vs fungal infection) and treated appropriately. Some infections are severe and require prescription medications.
There are hundreds of over-the-counter supplements that provide a broad spectrum of nutrients. Many of these supplements are specially designed to bridge the nutritional gap in women. Drugstore shelves offer myriad choices, but it is important to remember that women’s multivitamins are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, they are not rigorously tested and it can be difficult to figure out what is in them. It is also worth remembering that too much of some essential nutrients can be harmful. Also, some supplements can have interactions with prescription medications. Multivitamins can help provide necessary nutrients that are missing in the diet, but they are not a substitute for a healthy diet. It is, therefore, a good idea to speak to a health care provider before using a women’s multivitamin or supplement.
Common Side Effects of Women’s Health Medications
Most of the side effects of oral contraceptive pills are mild and disappear with continued use. If one formulation is not tolerated well, your doctor may recommend switching to another. The most common side effects of contraceptives include breakthrough bleeding, nausea, headache, breast tenderness, abdominal cramping, increased vaginal discharge, and reduced sex drive.
Possible side effects of Depo-Provera include headaches, dizziness, bloating, abdominal pain, breakthrough bleeding, fatigue, decreased libido, and weight gain.
Antibiotics used to treat vaginal bacterial infections can cause headaches, stomach upset, constipation, back pain, and vaginal discomfort or discharge.
Antifungals used to treat vaginal candidiasis can cause burning, stinging, irritation, redness, swelling, and itching as side effects.
Potential side effects of fertility drugs include abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, flushing, and blurred vision.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators like tamoxifen can cause hot flashes and vaginal dryness or discharge. More serious side effects include blood clots, stroke, and an increased risk of uterine cancer in postmenopausal women.
Aromatase inhibitors can cause muscle aches and joint stiffness. Because they reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, these drugs can also cause bone thinning. Women who are being treated with them may therefore be given medications to strengthen the bones.
Common Questions
What is emergency contraception?
An emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the morning-after pill or plan B) is a pill that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse but may be effective for up to 120 hours.
How often do I need to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. In women above the age of 25, these tests should be performed every year if they have new or multiple sex partners or their sex partner has tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. Also, all pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis, and at-risk pregnant women should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia early in the pregnancy.
Can I get a discount on women’s health medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including medications for women’s health—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://medlineplus.gov/womenshealth.html
2. https://www.medicinenet.com/womens_health/article.htm
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430882/
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/depo-provera/about/pac-20392204
5. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer.html
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999
8. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354313
9. https://www.frostburg.edu/brady-health/Services/womens-health-frequently-asked-questions.php
Common Women's Health Health Medications
Women's Health
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter women's health drugs.
Being a woman has a significant impact on health due to both biological and gender-based differences. Some health issues are unique to women, such as pregnancy, menopause, and other conditions related to the female reproductive system. Sex hormones produced by the ovaries in women are involved in many body functions including growth and development and bone mass. A disruption in these hormones can lead to women’s health problems.
Also, certain health issues affect both genders but affect women differently. For example, women are more likely to suffer from urinary tract problems, osteoarthritis, eating disorders, gallstones, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression, and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Women are also less likely to survive a heart attack than men. Compared to men, a lower amount of alcohol consumption is needed for women to develop alcohol-related health problems. The metabolism of some drugs can be faster or slower in women than men, thereby affecting the dosages they should take.
Medications for Women’s Health
Some of the most common medications used to treat women’s health issues are described below.
Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are taken to prevent pregnancy. They contain the female hormones estrogen (which controls menstrual bleeding) and progesterone (which prevents pregnancy by blocking the release of the egg from the ovary). There are three types of oral contraceptives available – those containing combined estrogen and progesterone, those containing progesterone only, and extended use or continuous pills. Oral contraceptive pills should be taken daily at approximately the same time every day because taking them more than 24 hours apart can affect how well they work. Your doctor will guide you on what to do if you miss a dose.
Contraceptive injections like Depo-Provera contain the hormone progestin and are given every 3 months. This method of contraception is more convenient for many women compared to remembering to take a pill every day.
Antibiotics like clindamycin (Clindesse, Cleocin) are used to treat bacterial vaginosis, which is an infection and inflammation of the vagina caused by an imbalance between good and bad bacteria. The medication is available as a cream that can be applied to the vagina.
Antifungals like miconazole (Monistat), fluconazole (Diflucan), and terconazole are used to treat vaginal yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis). These medications are available as tablets, creams, ointments, and suppositories.
Fertility drugs like clomiphene, gonadotropins (Menopur, Follistim, Bravelle, Ovidrel, Pregnyl) are used in women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. They work by stimulating ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary).
Hormone therapy for breast cancer includes selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen and toremifene. These medications work by preventing certain breast cancers from growing that are fueled by estrogen.
Aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane (Aromasin), letrozole (Femara), and anastrozole (Arimidex) work by preventing the body from making estrogen. They can reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Women’s Health
Some creams, suppositories, and tablets are available over-the-counter to treat common vaginal infections, such as Gyne-Lotrimin and Monistat. These OTC therapies are appropriate for self-treatment of mild, infrequent, and uncomplicated infections. It is, however, important to speak to a health care provider before self-treating symptoms that do not resolve with OTC treatment or recur frequently. This is to ensure that the condition is diagnosed accurately (for example, bacteria vs fungal infection) and treated appropriately. Some infections are severe and require prescription medications.
There are hundreds of over-the-counter supplements that provide a broad spectrum of nutrients. Many of these supplements are specially designed to bridge the nutritional gap in women. Drugstore shelves offer myriad choices, but it is important to remember that women’s multivitamins are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, they are not rigorously tested and it can be difficult to figure out what is in them. It is also worth remembering that too much of some essential nutrients can be harmful. Also, some supplements can have interactions with prescription medications. Multivitamins can help provide necessary nutrients that are missing in the diet, but they are not a substitute for a healthy diet. It is, therefore, a good idea to speak to a health care provider before using a women’s multivitamin or supplement.
Common Side Effects of Women’s Health Medications
Most of the side effects of oral contraceptive pills are mild and disappear with continued use. If one formulation is not tolerated well, your doctor may recommend switching to another. The most common side effects of contraceptives include breakthrough bleeding, nausea, headache, breast tenderness, abdominal cramping, increased vaginal discharge, and reduced sex drive.
Possible side effects of Depo-Provera include headaches, dizziness, bloating, abdominal pain, breakthrough bleeding, fatigue, decreased libido, and weight gain.
Antibiotics used to treat vaginal bacterial infections can cause headaches, stomach upset, constipation, back pain, and vaginal discomfort or discharge.
Antifungals used to treat vaginal candidiasis can cause burning, stinging, irritation, redness, swelling, and itching as side effects.
Potential side effects of fertility drugs include abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, flushing, and blurred vision.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators like tamoxifen can cause hot flashes and vaginal dryness or discharge. More serious side effects include blood clots, stroke, and an increased risk of uterine cancer in postmenopausal women.
Aromatase inhibitors can cause muscle aches and joint stiffness. Because they reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, these drugs can also cause bone thinning. Women who are being treated with them may therefore be given medications to strengthen the bones.
Common Questions
What is emergency contraception?
An emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the morning-after pill or plan B) is a pill that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse but may be effective for up to 120 hours.
How often do I need to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. In women above the age of 25, these tests should be performed every year if they have new or multiple sex partners or their sex partner has tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease. Also, all pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis, and at-risk pregnant women should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia early in the pregnancy.
Can I get a discount on women’s health medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including medications for women’s health—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://medlineplus.gov/womenshealth.html
2. https://www.medicinenet.com/womens_health/article.htm
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430882/
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/depo-provera/about/pac-20392204
5. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer.html
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999
8. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354313
9. https://www.frostburg.edu/brady-health/Services/womens-health-frequently-asked-questions.php
Common Women's Health Health Medications
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