Estrogens (Vaginal)
Category- Urogenital symptoms suppressant - Conjugated Estrogens; Dienestrol; Estradiol; Estrone; Estropipate
DescriptionEstrogens (ES-troe-jenz)
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
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,
in the following dosage forms:
Vaginal
-
Conjugated Estrogens
-
Dienestrol
-
Estradiol
-
Cream (U.S.)
-
Insert (or ring) (U.S. and Canada)
-
Estrone
-
Cream (Canada)
-
Suppositories (Canada)
-
Estropipate
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
- Estrace 3
- Estring 3
- Ogen 5
- Ortho Dienestrol 2
- Premarin 1
In Canada -
- Estring 3
- Oestrilin 4
- Ortho Dienestrol 2
- Premarin 1
Other commonly used names are dienoestrol , oestradiol , and piperazine estrone
sulfate .
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following estrogens are numbered
to match the corresponding brand names.
|
This information applies to the following medicines |
1. |
Conjugated Estrogens (CON-ju-gate-ed ES-troe-jenz) |
2. |
Dienestrol (dye-en-ES-trole) |
3. |
Estradiol (es-tra-DYE-ole) |
4. |
Estrone (ES-trone)* |
5. |
Estropipate (es-troe-PIH-pate)† |
* Not commercially available in the U.S. |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
|