Transdermal estrogen and prevention of osteoporosis

Transdermal delivery of estrogen is an alternative to the oral route in patients receiving hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of osteoporosis. Both transdermal and oral regimens have been shown to be effective. They can be prescribed as either cyclical or continuous regimens. With the transdermal system, the first-pass hepatic metabolism that occurs with oral agents is avoided. However, the clinical significance of this bypass has not been determined. This delivery system offers a new option in the prevention of osteoporosis, an escalating public health problem.