Advantages

	Excellent relief from physical symptoms. Some women find that problems such as depression and irritability disappear more readily than with other forms of HRT.
	You can forget you are on HRT because the implants are changed so infrequently. Testosterone can also be given as an implant. Protection against osteoporosis is high.

Disadvantages

	Wrong doses cannot be adjusted.
	Some women experience symptoms at ever-decreasing intervals – too frequent implants lead to hormone overdose. If you decide to stop using HRT, implants are difficult to remove.
	You need a minor surgical procedure for insertion of the implant.
	Some people experience severe side reactions that may not be correctable - excessive weight gain, extreme inflammation of the breast, etc.

Vaginal Hormone Creams

	17 beta-estradiol (Estrace)
	Vaginal Cream estropipate (Ogen)
	Vaginal Cream conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin)
	Vaginal Cream dienestrol (Ortho Dienestrol Cream)
	dienestrol (Estragard Cream)

The creams are the most convenient form of application. It can be often applied locally to the vaginal wall making it thicker, more elastic, and less susceptible to infection. It increases lubrication and relieves dryness and itching. Effects may be noticed in less than a week. You can use cream on and off and resume treatment when symptoms return. Even though it is applied locally, the estrogen is still absorbed into the system and carries the same risks as estrogen taken in pill form. The amount absorbed will be relatively low if the cream is used infrequently (two or three times per week) or for short periods of time. There is evidence that at low doses, as little as one-eighth of that usually recommended for vaginal dryness, the estrogen cream can be effective. For women using estrogen cream who have not had a hysterectomy, progesterone may still be necessary to cause menstrual bleeding and prevent uterine cancer.