Estriol Cream

Estriol cream is a medication that contains 1 milligram of the active ingredient estriol. It belongs to a group of medicines called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Estriol cream is used for women who have menopausal symptoms which affect the vagina. The cream is inserted into the vagina with an applicator and can relieve symptoms such as irritation and dryness (vaginal atrophy). Estriol cream is the unbranded version of this medication. You can also find this medication under the branded name of Ovestin 1mg cream.

When you go through menopause, your oestrogen levels begin to drop. A loss of oestrogen can cause the vaginal wall to get dry. This can cause other symptoms such as pain during sex and vaginal infections. Estriol can replace the levels of oestrogen in your body and relieve these symptoms.

As estriol cream is inserted directly into the vagina, the hormone is released where it is needed. It may take just a few weeks before you to see an improvement. Unlike some oestrogen treatments, estriol cream does not need to be taken with progesterone.

Estriol cream is not suitable for you if you have:

• an allergy to estriol or any ingredients in the cream
• breast cancer, or have ever had it
• cancer sensitive to oestrogen, such as cancer of the womb lining
• a blood clot or blood clotting disorder
• vaginal bleeding that cannot be explained
• had a heart attack, angina, or a stroke
• liver disease, or have ever had it
• thickening of the womb lining
• a rare blood problem known as porphyria

Some generic estriol cream contains arachis oil (peanut oil), so if you have a peanut allergy you should check the product information leaflet or box to be sure before using this.

If you are not sure, you can message our doctors before using estriol cream.

If you have other menopause symptoms, as well as vaginal dryness, there are other types of HRT medications that can be used.

These include:

• tablets that contain oestrogen or progesterone, or both, like Elleste duet conti tablets
• vaginal rings, like ESTRING
• other vaginal creams, or gels, such as Ovestin
• patches, like Estradot 50

There are other ways to stop vaginal itching or dryness, such as vaginal lubricants or moisturisers. These can be found over the counter and can be used instead of estriol cream, or alongside it. If you have vaginal dryness, using unperfumed products around the vagina may also help with symptoms.

You should let your doctor know about any medications that you are using before starting estriol cream, in particular if you are using:

• medication for epilepsy
• herbal medication containing St John’s wort
• medication to treat HIV or Hepatitis C

Estriol cream can have some side effects but not everybody will get them. You may get some itching or irritation around the vagina when you first use the cream, but this should get better after a few weeks of treatment.

Some other side effects include:

• an increase in vaginal discharge, bleeding, or spotting
• flu symptoms
• gallbladder problems
• headaches
• nausea or vomiting (feeling or being sick)
• swollen, tender, or painful breasts
• rash on the skin
• an allergy to the sun

If you get any of these side effects, speak to your doctor, as you may need to stop using the cream.

Estriol cream may have some serious side effects, such as:

• an increase in blood pressure
• jaundice symptoms, such as yellowing of the skin or white of the eyes
• signs of a blood clot, such as pain in the legs or dizziness
• migraines

If you get any of these side effects, speak to your doctor straight away. For further information on side effects of estriol cream, read the patient information leaflet.

Speak to your doctor before using estriol cream if you have:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• fibroids in your womb
• problems with your womb lining
• a risk of blood clots
• family history of cancer that is sensitive to oestrogen
• a liver disorder
• gallstones
• severe headaches or migraines
• an immune system disease
• asthma
• epilepsy
• a disease affecting hearing called otosclerosis
• fluid retention because of kidney or heart problems

If you have any of these, you may still be able to use estriol cream but only if your doctor has said it's okay. You should have regular visits with your doctor, to make sure estriol cream is still suitable for you.

Can estriol cream cause weight gain?

There are some beliefs that taking HRT, including estriol cream, can cause weight gain. During menopause, some women may gain weight, but this is due to menopause, rather than HRT medication. When using a vaginal cream such as estriol cream, there is no link to weight gain.