Noncontraceptive estrogens and progestins: use patterns over time.

The use of noncontraceptive estrogens and progestins, particularly in menopausal women, has been a subject of considerable controversy during the past decade. Reported is a review of overall trends in the use of these drugs from 1966 to 1983 and a more indepth qualitative and quantitative description of their use during 1983. The use of these estrogens and progestins appears to be increasing again. The estrogens are apparently being used at lower doses than in the past, and there is a trend toward using estrogens and progestins concomitantly. Exclusive of oral contraceptives, enough oral estrogen was purchased during 1983 to treat an average of 2.3 million people each day, while oral progestin purchases could have supplied 129,000 people daily.