Estrogen (Vaginal)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Estrace
• Estring
• Femring
• Imvexxy
• Ortho Dienestrol
• Premarin
• Premarin Vaginal
• Vagifem

Available Dosage Forms:

• Insert, Extended Release
• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Cream
• Tablet

Uses for estrogen

Estrogens are hormones produced by the body. Among other things, estrogens help develop and maintain female organs.

When your body is in short supply of this hormone, replacing it can ease the uncomfortable changes that occur in the vagina, vulva (female genitals), and urethra (part of the urinary system). Conditions that are treated with vaginal estrogens include a genital skin condition (vulvar atrophy), inflammation of the vagina (atrophic vaginitis), and inflammation of the urethra (atrophic urethritis).

Estrogens work partly by increasing a normal clear discharge from the vagina and making the vulva and urethra healthy. Using or applying an estrogen relieves or lessens:

• Dryness and soreness in the vagina
• Itching, redness, or soreness of the vulva
• Feeling an urge to urinate more often then is needed or experiencing pain while urinating
• Pain during sexual intercourse

When used vaginally or on the skin, most estrogens are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause some, but not all, of the same effects as when they are taken by mouth. Estrogens used vaginally at very low doses for treating local problems of the genitals and urinary system will not protect against osteoporosis or stop the hot flushes caused by menopause.

Estrogens for vaginal use are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using estrogen

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Estrogen vaginal cream is not indicated in children. Studies have not been conducted.

Geriatric

Elderly women greater than 65 years of age may have an increased risk of certain side effects during treatment, especially stroke, invasive breast cancer, and memory problems.

Pregnancy

Estrogens should not be used during pregnancy, since an estrogen called diethylstilbestrol (DES) that is no longer taken for hormone replacement has caused serious birth defects in humans and animals.

Breastfeeding

Use of estrogen is not recommended in nursing mothers. Estrogens pass into the breast milk and may decrease the amount and quality of breast milk. Caution should be exercised in mothers who are using estrogen and breast-feeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following...