Estriol Cream

Estriol cream is a gentle form of hormone replacement therapy designed to treat vaginal symptoms caused by menopause. It contains a low dose of oestrogen, and you apply it directly into your vagina using the provided applicator. Estriol can help relieve symptoms like itching, soreness, and discomfort during sex. It has a lower risk of side effects than other HRT tablets, because it’s a low dose, but also because it works locally meaning it only affects the area where it’s applied rather than your entire body.

How Does Estriol Work?

Estriol works by copying the effects of natural oestrogen, which your body makes less of during and after menopause. This dramatic reduction in your oestrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness, irritation, or discomfort. You apply Estriol cream directly into your vagina, so it can work to help restore moisture and keep your vaginal tissues healthy. This can reduce symptoms like itching and soreness, make sex feel more comfortable and ease the constant need to wee.

Estriol Cream Alternatives

At The Independent Pharmacy, we also offer a range of over-the-counter, non-hormonal vaginal lubricants and moisturisers or other forms of HRT on prescription, including those taken orally and patches. For more information about available treatments, take a look at our Advice for Menopause (HRT) page.

If you are suffering from symptoms of the menopause you must discuss your treatment options with a doctor. They will be able to advise you on what is the best form of HRT to suit you.

How To Use Estriol

Estriol has a special applicator to make it super simple and convenient. For your first application, you will need to pierce the tip of the tube using the sharp point on the cap. Screw the reusable plastic applicator onto the end of the tube. Squeeze the tube, using both hands, to fill the applicator with cream, up to the red ring mark. Unscrew the applicator from the tube. Lie down and insert the applicator deep into your vagina then slowly push the plunger all the way in and remove the applicator. Clean the applicator using hot, soapy water. Use a sanitary towel to stop your clothes getting stained.

Your prescriber will advise how much to use and how often to use it. The typical dose is one applicator up to the ring (0.5 mg estriol in 0.5 g of cream) daily for the first two to three weeks (maximum four weeks). Then you’ll use one applicator up to the ring twice a week.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Estriol Cream 1mg is estriol. Each gram of cream contains one milligram of estriol. The other ingredients are chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, octyldodecanol, cetyl palmitate, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, lactic acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

The active ingredient in Estriol Cream 0.01% is estriol. The other ingredients are benzoic acid, arachis oil, glyceryl monostearate, glycerin, glutamic acid, and purified water.

Side Effects

You must read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Estriol Cream.

As with all medications, Estriol may cause side effects. Not everyone gets them, and many people only get a few. Most of them improve after a few months, and they tend to be typically milder than the side effects you might get from oral HRT.

Some of the common side effects of Estriol include irritation or itching around the entrance of the vagina, headaches, breast tenderness, stomach pain and nausea, vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort, rash, gallbladder problems or flu-like symptoms. For a full list, please read the Patient Information Leaflet or talk to one of our clinical team.

Warnings

• You should not use Estriol Cream if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, thickening of the womb lining, liver disease, have ever had breast cancer or other oestrogen-sensitive cancers or have ever had a blood clot or a clotting disorder.
• Speak to your doctor before using Estriol Cream if you have asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, gallstones, high blood pressure, suffer from migraines or severe headaches, endometriosis, otosclerosis, SLE or fibroids inside your womb.
• You should tell your doctor before using Estriol Cream if you are currently or have recently stopped using any prescribed or non-prescribed medication.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Estriol Cream.

Estriol Cream and Cancer

Estrogen-only HRT taken orally can increase the risk of developing cancer of the womb lining and also that of cervical cancers and breast cancers. However, because Estriol Cream is inserted into the vagina very low levels of estrogen are absorbed into the bloodstream and, therefore, it is less likely to cause cancers.

It continues to be very important, however, for all women that use any form of HRT to attend regular health check-ups with their GP and to also regularly check their breasts for changes and to see a doctor if they experience any abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Estriol Cream and Blood Clots

Using any form of HRT including Estriol Cream can slightly raise your chances of developing a blood clot in a vein or of experiencing a stroke. You should see a doctor immediately if you think you are developing symptoms of a blood clot.

The following people are at an even higher risk of developing a blood clot and you should speak to a doctor before using Estriol Cream if any of them are relevant to you:

• You are immobile for an extended amount of time due to surgery, injury or illness.
• Your BMI is over 30.
• Your close relatives have ever had a blood clot.
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus.
• You have cancer.

Estriol Cream in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Estriol Cream should only be used by postmenopausal women and is not a contraceptive. If you are under 50 years old or have had a natural period in the last 12 months you should speak to a doctor about contraceptive options.

If you become pregnant while using any form of HRT you should stop using it and speak to a doctor for advice.