Equivalent Doses of HRT

One of the most common questions where hormones are concerned is what dose of one form is equivalent to another.  For example, if you’ve been on 0.625mg Premarin and want to switch to an estrogen patch, what would give you roughly the same amount of estrogen?

Here’s a quick rundown to make matters easier. Keep in mind, though, that not only are these rough equivalencies, but also that your body may react differently to the individual forms of HRT. In other words, the same dosage in different types of HRT might have more or less of an effect on your body.

Estrogen Equivalencies

TypeDaily Dosage
Conjugated estrogen (Premarin, Cenestin)0.625 mg
Estradiol (Estrace)1.0 mg
Transdermal estradiol (patches).05 mg (50 mcg)
Estropipate (Ogen, Ortho-Est)1.25 mg
Esterified estrogen (Menest, Estratab)0.625 mg
Tri-est/Bi-est2.5 mg
Ethinyl estradiol .01 to .015 mg (10 to 15 mcgs depending upon the source)
Note: Estinyl estradiol -- as in birth control pills -- is generally said to be at least 3 to 5 times more potent than the other forms of estrogen used in HRT.

Progesterone/Progestin Equivalencies

TypeCyclical DosageContinuous Dosage
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) 5 mg2.5 mg
Micronized progesterone (Prometrium)200 mg100 mg
Norethindron acetate (Aygestin)5 mg2.5 mg
Norethindrone (Micronor).7 mg.35 mg
Progesterone gel (Prochieve 4%)every other day for 12 days (delivers 45 mg of progesterone per application)2 times weekly