Topical Estrogen Cream Side Effects

Common Side Effects Of Estradiol

Most common side effects of estradiol improve within three months. When taking estradiol, the most common side effects include:

• A skin reaction at the site of patch or cream application
• Vaginal spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods

• Erythema multiformebulls-eye shaped skin lesionsor erythema nodosumpainful and tender bumps beneath the skin
• Ischemic colitis, large intestine injury caused by decreased blood flow
• Intestinal obstruction may occur with the vaginal ring
• Vaginal erosion or ulcer may occur when using the vaginal ring
• Toxic shock syndrome may occur when using the vaginal ring

If You Forget To Use It

If you forget a dose, use it as soon as you remember. But if you remember your missed dose at the time of your next dose, do not use an extra dose.

Do not use a double dose to make up for the missed dose. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

Then go back to using the cream as you would normally.

What It Looks Like

Ovestin Cream is a homogeneous, smooth, white to nearly white mass of creamy consistency. Ovestin cream is filled in a collapsible tube of 15 g. Each tube is packed together with a CE-marked applicator and a patient-instruction leaflet.

Do not use the product if the pack or cream is damaged or appears unusual.

Also Check: My Dog Ate Melatonin Gummies

Why Use Vaginal Estrogen Cream

There are many different treatments for symptoms of menopause and low estrogen available today. You could change your diet or lifestyle or even supplement with different products.

Women who are going through menopause experience a dramatic shift in their hormones. As the hormones change and stop monthly periods, they can also create some unpleasant vaginal symptoms, such as:

• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sex due to lack of natural vaginal lubrication
• Painful urination
• Sudden and frequent need to urinate

Hormones affect vaginal health. During menopause, these same hormones shift, changing vaginal health as well.

Vaginal estrogen cream is used to treat the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as others. It should only be used as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any of the above symptoms and are going through menopause, talk to your doctor. They may want to run a few tests before prescribing a vaginal cream to help alleviate these symptoms.

How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Estradiol Vaginal Cream

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Recommended Reading: How To Increase Your Cortisol Levels

How Much To Use

For vaginal complaints, the usual dosage is 1 application daily during the first weeks. Later on the dose is gradually decreased to, for instance, 1 application twice a week. Each dose of cream contains 0.5 mg estriol. However your doctor may well prescribe different quantities for other conditions.

Your doctor may ask you to stop using Ovestin every 2 to 3 months for 4 weeks to check the need for further treatment.

For vulvo-vaginal complaints associated with menopause:

• initially one dose of cream per day for 3 weeks
• later you may only need one dose of cream twice a week.

Before surgery:

• one dose of cream daily beginning 2 weeks before the operation.

When having a Pap smear your doctor may recommend a daily application of cream for 7 days.

What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to topical estradiol.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using topical estradiol.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Read Also: At What Age Can You Give Melatonin

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Estradiol Topical

You should not use estradiol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
• an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder or

Do not use estradiol if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Using estradiol can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, if you are overweight, or if you smoke.

Estradiol topical should not be used to prevent heart disease, stroke, or dementia. This medicine may actually increase your risk of developing these conditions.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Estradiol Side Effects And How To Avoid Them

Common estradiol side effects | Serious side effects | How long do side effects last? | Warnings | Interactions | How to avoid side effects

Estradiol is the strongest of three forms of estrogen naturally produced by the female body. These also include estrone and estriol , which are hormones that bind to the bodys estrogen receptors. Both estradiol and estriol can be used as hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, but estradiol is far more commonly used. Estriol is only available in compounded drugs that are not FDA approved.

Estradiol is a generic prescription medication used as hormone therapy to treat symptoms of menopause such as night sweats, skin flushing, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, inflammation, and thinning. These effects are caused by decreased estrogen levels in the body and taking estradiol helps increase the hormone and help with symptoms.

Estradiol is also an ingredient in certain low-dose birth control pills that are prescribed to some women during perimenopause. Estradiol may be prescribed to prevent osteoporosis and to treat menopausal migraine and postpartum depression. It is sometimes used in palliative care for certain breast and prostate cancers.

Estradiol is available as a tablet, transdermal patch, cream, or vaginal ring. There are many Estradiol brand names, including Alora, Estrogel, Vagifem, Climara, and Estrace.

RELATED: Questions to ask your doctor about menopause

Don’t Miss: Symptoms Of High Estrogen Levels

Where To Purchase Estriol Skin Creams

Estriol has been in demand throughout Europe and Asia for nearly 50 years, where its primarily been used to effectively treat vaginal dryness and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.

When purchased as a topical skin cream no prescription is necessary to acquire estriol in the United States. The numerous estriol creams on the market can be purchased at most pharmacies or through online vendors such as Amazon.

How Do Estriol Skin Creams Work

Estriol is an estrogen produced in the ovaries that has been used by menopausal women for decades. Its typically employed as a supplement to combat vaginal dryness, prevent urinary tract infections , protect from breast and ovarian cancer, and more recently, to revitalize and protect the skin from visible signs of aging.

Estriol skin creams typically contain collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin, all ingredients that have repeatedly been proven effective at encouraging collagen production and decreasing the amount of oil produced, while simultaneously increasing elasticity, moisture levels and vascularization. Of course, the big question remains: Does it really work?

The answer is yes to a point, and depending on who you ask. One study performed at the University of Vienna Medical School noted a marked improvement in skin elasticity and firmness after applying an estrogen-laced topical cream on a daily basis over the course of one six-month period.

The trial was conducted with 0.01% estradiol or 0.3% estriol on 59 postmenopausal women, and by the end of the first six months wrinkle depth and pore size had decreased by over 60% in both the estradiol and estriol groups. Skin moisture and collagen synthesis also increased significantly.

Recommended Reading: Best Hgh And Testosterone Stack

What Should I Avoid While Using Estradiol Topical

Avoid getting estradiol topical in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Wait at least 25 minutes after applying estradiol topical before you apply sunscreen to the same skin area.

Avoid smoking. It can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack while using estradiol.

Grapefruit may interact with estradiol and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

Precautions Before Using Vaginal Oestrogen

• Do you have breast cancer?
• Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
• Do you get unexplained vaginal bleeding?
• Do you have endometrial hyperplasia?
• Do you have liver disease, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, or high blood pressure?
• Have you had a heart attack, stroke or blood clot in legs or lungs?
• Do you get migraine headaches?

If so, its important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start using vaginal oestrogen. Sometimes a medicine isnt suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.

Read Also: Does Melatonin Help Acid Reflux

Dose And Method Of Administration

Ovestin is an estrogen only product that may be given to women with or without a uterus.Ovestin Cream is intended for intravaginal administration by means of a calibrated applicator.For initiation and continuation of treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration of time should be used .Each applicator dose is 0.5 g of Ovestin Cream which contains 0.5 mg estriol.Usual dosage for vulvo-vaginal complaints associated with the menopause: one application per day for 3 weeks initially.As maintenance dosage, one application of cream twice a week is recommended. Medication should be discontinued every 2 to 3 months for a period of 4 weeks to assess the necessity for further treatment.Presurgery therapy per day) should begin 2 weeks before the operation .In the case of a suspect cytological smear a daily application of 0.5 mg estriol for 7 days is recommended before re-evaluating the cytology.A missed dose should be administered as soon as remembered, unless the missed dose is noticed at the day of the next dose. In the latter case the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing scheme continued. Two doses must never be administered on the same day.In women not taking HRT or women who switch from a continuous combined HRT product, treatment with Ovestin may be started on any day. Women who switch from cyclic HRT regimen should start Ovestin treatment 1 week after completion of the cycle.

What Are Dosages Of Estradiol Vaginal

Adult dosage

Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms

Adult dosage

Femring

• 1 ring intravaginally for 90 days replace with a new ring at 90 days if continuing therapy
• Initiate with the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals
• Initial: 0.05 mg/day dosage adjustment should be guided by the clinical response

Menopausal Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy

Adult dosage

Estrace Vaginal

• Initial: 2-4 g intravaginally every day for 1-2 weeks, then gradually reduced to 50% of the initial dosage for a similar period
• Maintenance: 1 g intravaginally 1-3 times/week may be used after restoration of the vaginal mucosa has been achieved

Estring

• 1 ring inserted intravaginally for 90 days replace with a new ring at 90 days if continuing therapy
• Attempts to taper or discontinue the medication should be made at 3-6 month intervals

Femring

• 1 ring intravaginally for 90 days replace with a new ring at 90 days if continuing therapy
• Initiate with the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals
• Initial: 0.05 mg/day dosage adjustment should be guided by the clinical response

Vagifem, Yuvafem

• Administer intravaginally using the supplied applicator
• Insert one 10 mcg-insert vaginally every day for 2 weeks followed by one 10 mcg-insert twice-weekly
• Generally, women should be started with 10 mcg/day

Adult dosage

Imvexxy

Dosage Considerations â Should be Given as Follows:

• See âDosagesâ

Rare side effects of the Estradiol vaginal include:

Don’t Miss: Para Que Es El Melatonin

What Other Drugs Will Affect Estradiol Topical

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect estradiol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

What Are The Side Effects Of Estradiol Topical

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• heart attack symptoms–chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating
• signs of a blood clot–sudden numbness or weakness, sudden vision loss, slurred speech, stabbing chest pain, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs
• swelling or tenderness in your stomach, severe stomach pain spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting
• memory problems, confusion, unusual behavior
• unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain
• a lump in your breast or
• high calcium levels–confusion, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, increased thirst or urination, weight loss.

Topical estradiol is absorbed through the skin of a child who comes into contact with this medicine. Call your doctor if a child in close contact with you develops swollen nipples or enlarged breasts.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps
• vaginal itching or discharge, changes in your menstrual periods, breakthrough bleeding
• thinning scalp hair or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Don’t Miss: Dosage Of Melatonin For Sleep

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

What Are The Side Effects Of Oestrogen Vaginal Cream

Like all medicines, vaginal oestrogen can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Also Check: What Age Can You Give Melatonin

When You Must Not Use It

Do not use Ovestin Cream if:

• you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it.
• you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• you have or if it is suspected that you have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the lining of the womb
• you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding, which has not been evaluated by your doctor
• you have excessive thickening of the lining of your womb that is not being treated
• you have or have had a blood clot or the lungs )
• you have a blood clotting disorder
• you have or have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries such a heart attack, stroke or angina
• you have or ever have had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal
• you have had an allergic reaction to estriol, or any of the other ingredients of Ovestin
• you have a rare blood problem called porphyria .

Do not use Ovestin Cream if you have an allergy to:

• any medicine containing estriol
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Topical Estrogen Cream Side Effects

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Read Also: What Causes Elevated Cortisol Levels

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Do not freeze topical estradiol. Keep estradiol gel away from open flame. Dispose of your estradiol gel pump after you have used 64 doses even if it is not completely empty.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.