Which statement correctly describes a key difference between continuous and sequential hormone therapy regimens?

Which statement correctly describes a key difference between continuous and sequential hormone therapy regimens?

• A. Sequential regimens provide daily estrogen and progestogen; Continuous regimens provide estrogen daily and progestogen for 10-14 days per month.
• B. Continuous regimens provide daily estrogen and progestogen; Sequential regimens provide estrogen daily and progestin for 10-14 days/month.
• C. Continuous regimens involve progestogen only during withdrawal bleeding.
• D. Sequential regimens deliver estrogen weekly.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how the progestin component is scheduled in the two regimens and how that affects bleeding. In continuous regimens, estrogen is taken daily and progestin is added daily as well. This constant exposure to progestin protects the endometrium and typically prevents regular withdrawal bleeding, though occasional spotting can occur. In sequential (cyclic) regimens, estrogen is still taken daily, but progestin is given only for a portion of the month (commonly about 10–14 days). This intermittent progestin exposure allows the endometrium to shed after the progestin is stopped, producing a regular withdrawal bleed each cycle. Thus, the statement that continuous regimens provide daily estrogen and progestin, while sequential regimens provide estrogen daily and progestin for 10–14 days per month, accurately captures the key difference between the two approaches. The other choices misstate the timing or presence of progestin, or the pattern of estrogen delivery.

The main idea is how the progestin component is scheduled in the two regimens and how that affects bleeding.

In continuous regimens, estrogen is taken daily and progestin is added daily as well. This constant exposure to progestin protects the endometrium and typically prevents regular withdrawal bleeding, though occasional spotting can occur.

In sequential (cyclic) regimens, estrogen is still taken daily, but progestin is given only for a portion of the month (commonly about 10–14 days). This intermittent progestin exposure allows the endometrium to shed after the progestin is stopped, producing a regular withdrawal bleed each cycle.

Thus, the statement that continuous regimens provide daily estrogen and progestin, while sequential regimens provide estrogen daily and progestin for 10–14 days per month, accurately captures the key difference between the two approaches. The other choices misstate the timing or presence of progestin, or the pattern of estrogen delivery.