What is the Origin of Transdermal Hormone Therapy?

The technique emerged from pharmaceutical science as a method to improve drug bioavailability and reduce the side effects associated with oral hormone administration. The development of specialized permeation enhancers made the skin a viable and advantageous route for systemic hormone delivery.

What is the Mechanism of Transdermal Hormone Therapy?

The hormone molecules diffuse passively across the stratum corneum and into the underlying capillaries, entering the bloodstream without immediate modification by liver enzymes. This mechanism provides a pharmacokinetic profile that closely mimics the body's natural endogenous hormone secretion patterns, leading to more stable serum concentrations and often better clinical outcomes, particularly concerning liver-mediated effects.

Transdermal Hormone Therapy

Meaning

Transdermal Hormone Therapy is a clinical method of administering bioidentical or synthetic hormones by applying them directly to the skin, typically in the form of a gel, cream, or patch. This delivery route allows the therapeutic agent to be absorbed directly into the systemic circulation, bypassing the hepatic first-pass metabolism that occurs with oral administration. It is a common and effective approach for hormone replacement, ensuring stable and consistent physiological hormone levels.