Estradiol Vaginal Cream

Estradiol Vaginal Cream Dosage

The recommended initial dosage is 2 to 4 grams applied to the vagina daily for one or two weeks. Afterward, the dosage is gradually reduced to half of the initial amount for another one or two weeks. Once improvement is observed, the maintenance dose typically ranges from 1 gram used one to three times per week.

Estradiol Vaginal Cream Side Effects

Like any medication, Estradiol may cause side effects in some individuals. Common side effects of Estradiol may include:

• Breast tenderness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Mood changes

Other possible side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps
• Mood changes and sleep problems (insomnia)
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, and sore throat
• Weight gain
• Headache and back pain
• Breast pain
• Thinning scalp hair
• Vaginal itching or discharge, changes in menstrual periods, and breakthrough bleeding

Serious side effects are rare but can include an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and certain types of cancer. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Jaw or shoulder pain, chest pain or pressure, nausea, sweating
• Slurred speech, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, problems with vision or balance
• Stabbing chest pain, sudden vision loss, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs
• Swelling or tenderness in your stomach
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Unusual behavior, memory problems, confusion
• Pelvic pain, unusual vaginal bleeding
• A lump in your breast

Estradiol Vaginal Cream Benefits

Some of the benefits of Estradiol vaginal cream are:

• Relief from menopausal vaginal symptoms such as dryness, burning and itching.
• Help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Improve mood and overall quality of life for women experiencing menopause-related hormonal changes.

Estradiol Vaginal Cream Contraindications

You should not use Estradiol vaginal cream if you have any of the following conditions on your health history:

• Allergic to Estradiol or any ingredients in the medication
• Have history of blood clots: Women with a history of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) should avoid using Estradiol. Estradiol can increase the risk of blood clot formation, which can be life-threatening.
• Have a history of heart attack or stroke: Women with a history of heart attack or stroke should generally avoid using Estradiol vaginal cream. The medication can increase the risk of cardiovascular events in individuals with a history of these conditions.
• Liver disease: Severe liver disease or liver tumors are contraindications for the use of Estradiol cream. The tablets are metabolized in the liver, and liver dysfunction can affect its clearance from the body and increase the risk of adverse effects.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure: Women with uncontrolled high blood pressure should be cautious when using Estradiol. This medication can increase blood pressure, and individuals with pre-existing hypertension may experience further elevation of blood pressure.
• Breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers: Women with a history of breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers should generally avoid using Estradiol cream. It can potentially stimulate the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors.

These contraindications are general guidelines, and individual patient factors and medical history should be considered when determining the appropriateness of using Estradiol cream as part of menopausal hormone therapy. If a doctor prescribed Estradiol vaginal cream as part of your menopause treatment, your individual factors and health history should have been evaluated making sure that the medication will not put your health at risk.