A unit dosage form suitable for once daily administration to a human comprising a physiologically effective amount of at least one hormone selected from the group consisting of steroidal estrogen, estradiol, estrone, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, norethisterone, progestin, norgestrel, and progesterone, and at least one carotenoid wherein the carotenoid is in an amount effective to prevent the adverse effects which may result from the administration of the hormone.