Is Estrogen Cream Available Over The Counter In Canada
No. Estrogen cream is regulated by Health Canada for quality control and correct dosing, which is why it is not available over the counter. Because hormones fluctuate, there isnt a uniform cream thats right for everyone. Consult your primary care physician to see if estrogen cream is right for you. If so, your primary care doctor will write you a prescription for estrogen cream. Once a prescription has been written, your doctor will work directly with a professional compounding pharmacy, like Peoples Choice Pharmacy, to manufacture an estrogen cream with the correct hormone levels to meet your specific needs.
The professionals at Peoples Choice Pharmacy are experts when it comes to manufacturing natural, bioidentical estrogen cream made in a top-notch sterile compounding facility. The pharmacists at PCP will facilitate communication with your primary care doctor to ensure the proper hormone dose for your needs.
What Do Estrogen Pills Do
In the same way that other types of estrogen therapy can relieve or resolve menopause-related symptoms, estrogen pills can also do so. As well as reducing osteoporosis risk, they can also lower blood pressure and blood sugar. The best-studied type of estrogen therapy is oral estrogen medicines, despite the fact that there are newer ways to get ERT.
Whats The Difference Between Vagifem And Estriol Cream
Vagifem is a common and popular alternative to Estriol cream. One of the differences between the two medications is that Vagifem comes in the form of a vaginal tablet, whereas Estriol cream exists as a cream. While vaginal creams usually have fewer side effects than tablets, the results from using tablets are usually more noticeable and faster than using cream. Vagifem contains estradiol, which is a stronger form of oestrogen compared to estriol that is found in Estriol cream.
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How Do I Know If Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Right For Me
Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons and suggest choices based on the severity of your symptoms and your medical history.
Here are some questions to ask:
- Based on my medical history, is there any reason I shouldnât use HRT?
- Do you think it could help my symptoms, especially hot flashes, sleep issues, and vaginal dryness?
- Are there other treatments I should consider?
- Do you think Iâll have side effects from HRT?
- Does my family medical history make me a good or bad candidate for HRT?
- What type of HRT might be best for me?
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How Do We Know That Bioidentical Hormones Are A Safer Option
Natural bioidentical low-dose estrogen cream has not been found to cause these serious health issues, but unfortunately, some still associate estrogen cream with other forms of hormone therapy that were found to be harmful. A 2019 study found that vaginal estrogen cream is safe for post-menopausal women, which hopefully shines a brighter light on the shadow cast over estrogen cream by the former study.
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Ovestin Cream Side Effects
Ovestin Cream, like all HRT, can cause some women to experience side effects. Symptoms are, however, less prevalent and less severe than in women who take oral HRT. Most symptoms will improve within the first 3 months of treatment.
If you are worried about any side effects or you do not feel that they are improving over the first few months you should discuss this with a doctor or pharmacist.
If you experience a severe side effect or have an allergic reaction you must seek medical support from your nearest emergency department as soon as possible.
The most common side effects associated with Ovestin Cream use are the following:
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What Should I Watch For While Using This Medicine
Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam. You should also discuss the need for regular mammograms with your health care professional, and follow his or her guidelines.
This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.
If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine at once and contact your doctor or health care professional.
Tobacco smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
If you are going to have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine beforehand. Consult your health care professional for advice prior to scheduling the surgery.
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Is Hormone Therapy Dangerous
Hormone therapy, has been a controversial subject since the publication of the 2002 Womens Health Initiative study which found that the use of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy after menopause can put women at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Hormone Therapy
While hormone therapy helps many women get through menopause, the treatment is not risk-free. Known health risks include:
- An increased risk of endometrial cancer .
- Increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Increased chance of gallbladder/gallstone problems.
- Increased risk of dementia if hormone therapy is started after midlife. HT started during midlife is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia.
- Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use.
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What Can I Take In Place Of Estradiol
There are hormonal and non-hormonal options for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms. Some therapies may only be indicated for a specific symptom. For example, some antidepressants have been shown to help with hot flashes, also known as flushes, but they would not play a role in bone loss due to menopause. For this reason, it is important to gear your alternative selection toward the menopausal symptom you are trying to treat or relieve. There will be no one answer that suits every patient.
There are several categories of drugs that have been shown to help alleviate hot flashes including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and seizure medications. Drugs such as calcium and bisphosphonates address osteoporosis. There are also many lifestyle changes and adaptations that can be done to minimize the impact of menopause.
This is not intended to serve as medical advice. You should speak to your doctor before stopping estradiol and consider all alternatives.
Important Questions To Ask About Menopause Hormone Medicines
- Are hormones right for me? Why?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the serious risks and common side effects?
- How long should I use hormone therapy?
- What is the lowest dose that will work for me?
- Are there any non-hormone medicines that I can take?
Want more information about menopause? Check the FDA website at: www.fda.gov/menopause
The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. Check for the latest facts on each product listed in this booklet.
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Efficacy And Safety Of Local Vaginal Estrogen Treatment
Four local vaginal estrogen treatments are available in the United States for the treatment of vaginal atrophy . They are well tolerated and considered equally effective by NAMS. In the VIVA survey, 13% of respondents who reported experiencing vaginal discomfort reported they had used vaginal hormone creams, 12% reported they had used vaginal hormone tablets, and 1% reported having used a vaginal hormone ring. Because vaginal estrogens fall into the general category of estrogen therapies, package inserts on local vaginal estrogen treatments carry the same warnings as systemic estrogens. The following sections aim to provide a concise review of the most recent and relevant data concerning the efficacy and safety of local vaginal estrogen treatments.
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Are There Other Things I Can Do To Protect Myself Against Osteoporosis
Doctors have long known that estrogen therapy helps prevent osteoporosis . There are many other ways to protect your bone health. Regular weight-bearing exercise and a diet high in calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones. There are also many bone-building medications available to women today. Your doctor can help you decide the best bone health strategy for you.
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To Use Estradiol Gel Follow These Steps:
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical exam, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least yearly. Follow your doctorâs directions for examining your breasts report any lumps immediately.
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, your doctor will check every 3 to 6 months to see if you still need this medication. If you are taking this medication to prevent thinning of the bones , you will take it for a longer period of time.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take hormone replacement therapy, because this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests.
Do not let anyone else take 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.
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How Much Does It Cost
The cost of the over the counter estrogen is also very important because it will determine how much money you will spend on it. You can either buy cheap or expensive products depending on how much money you have in your pocket. If you dont have enough money, buying cheap products instead of expensive ones is better because they can still serve their purpose without costing too much.
Is There A Natural Alternative To Estrogen Cream
Yes, there are natural products available.
Like OTC estrogen creams, however, they can be risky. So, before purchasing these natural medications, have a discussion with your healthcare provider.
If youre looking for non-hormonal OTC vaginal moisturizers or lubricants, however, experts typically consider these items as first-choice for vaginal dryness. Replens and K-Y Jelly are a couple of common examples of these OTC non-hormonal vaginal products. If you have questions about these options, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
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Over The Counter Estrogen Buying Guide
You may have a special project that requires a over the counter estrogen. If you dont already know which is the best one, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the selection available. Were here to help! Weve compiled this buying guide, which has everything you need to choose the right product for your needs. Read on to discover the best and how to spot a fake.
Here are a few tips to consider before making a purchase:
- Find a good quality product: The quality of the product is important. You want to ensure that it will work perfectly and last for years, so buy high-quality products only.
- Take a close look at durability: If the product doesnt last long, then whats the point of buying it? You need something that will last for years, so look for user experiences and build.
- Does the brand have a good reputation: Many brands are selling similar products, but it is important to know which ones are reputable and have good customer service if something goes wrong.
- How do users feel about the product: Look at other users feedback on their experience with over the counter estrogen. This will give you an idea of how well it works and whether or not they think it was worth the money they spent on it.
- Warranty policy: A warranty is a guarantee that if anything goes wrong with your product within a certain period. You can get it repaired or replaced without having to pay any extra charges or only pay a small fee.
Information On Estrogen Hormone Therapy
Overview of Feminizing Hormone TherapyUCSF Transgender CareUniversity of California â San FranciscoJuly, 2020
Hi, Iâm Dr. Maddie Deutsch, Associate Professor of Clinical Family & Community Medicine at the University of California San Francisco , and Medical Director for UCSF Transgender Care. In this document I will review various aspects of feminizing hormone theray, including, choices, risks, and unknowns associated with feminizing hormone therapy.
As you prepare to begin treatment, now is a great time to think through what your goals are. Do you want to get started right away on a path to the maximum degree of medically appropriate feminizing effects? Or, do you want to begin at a lower dose and allow things to progress more slowly? Perhaps you are seeking less-than-maximal effects and would like to remain on a low dose for the long term. Thinking about your goals will help you communicate more effectively with your medical provider as you work together to map out your care plan.
Many people are eager for hormonal changes to take place rapidly which is totally understandable. It is important to remember that the extent of, and rate at which your changes take place, depend on many factors. These factors primarily include your genetics and the age at which you start taking hormones.
There are four areas where you can expect changes to occur as your hormone therapy progresses. Physical, emotional, sexual, and reproductive.
The first is physical.
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How Should I Use This Medication
A patient package insert for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children. This medication is not approved for use in children.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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 FDAâs 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.
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Is It Time For Me To Try Hormone Therapy
Several factors play into whether hormone replacement therapy is the best option for you. Your age is one factor. Your doctor will also want to consider whether youâve had a hysterectomy and whether you have certain health risks, such as a family or personal history of breast cancer or clotting disorders.
When Will Generic Premarin Be Available
Premarins patent protection expired in 2012, so other manufacturers are technically allowed to create generics with the same active ingredients, but none have been approved. Why? The answer lies in how Premarin is made.
The estrogens in Premarin come fromwait for itthe urine of pregnant mares. Since Premarin comes from horse urine, the exact ingredients have not been defined, and the FDA will not approve a synthetic version. Moral of the story: We may never see a Premarin generic.
Luckily, there are other ways you can save.
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