Abstract: A method for treating menopausal symptoms and a pharmaceutical package for effecting the method are disclosed. The method comprises a three phase sequence of estrogen and progestogen administration and an additional drug-free fourth phase during at least one menstrual cycle as follows:(a) as phase one, 0.2 mg to 1.5 mg of estrone, (or of other natural estrogen in an amount sufficient to result in an effect equivalent to the selected amount of estrone within the aforegiven range) for 4-9 days, followed by(b) as phase two, 0.2 mg to 1.5 mg of estrone, (or of other natural estrogen in an amount sufficient to result in an effect equivalent to the selected amount of estrone within the aforegiven range), plus 0.2 to 1.

Abstract: Method of contraception in which an estrogen and a progestagen are orally administered daily for 21 days, the first 4-6 days at a low contraceptively effective daily dose, the next 4-6 days at a daily estrogen dose 1-2 times and a daily progestrogen dose 1-1.5 times that of the first 4-6 days, and for the next 9-11 days at a daily estrogen dose from that of the first 4-6 days to that of the next 4-6 days and a daily progestogen dose higher than either prior daily dose, up to 3 times that of the initial dose, followed by 7 days without hormone administration.