Estrogen

Recently Answered

• QHow do vaginal estrogen rings work to relieve menopause symptoms?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  The Estring releases estradiol, a form of estrogen, at a dosage of 7.5 mcg a day. Estradiol acts directly on the tissue of the vagina and vulva to relieve symptoms. The dose is too low to significantly increase levels of estrogen in the blood. Thus, the Estring is not effective for treating hot flashes. No progestin is needed by women who use Estring, since the dose of estrogen it releases is so low.
  
  The Femring releases estradiol acetate in a dose of either 50 mcg or 100 mcg a day. Estradiol acetate acts directly on the tissues of the vagina and vulva to relieve symptoms. However, unlike the Estring, the Femring is also effective for hot flashes. The Femring should only be used by women who have both hot flashes and vaginal symptoms. Women with no hot flashes should use other vaginal products.
  
  Women should use the lowest effective dose of any estrogen product. Those who decide to use the Femring should start with the 50-mcg ring. If the uterus is intact, the woman should also use progestin. Progestin prevents uncontrolled growth of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) caused by estrogen alone. Progestin also reduces the risk for uterine cancer.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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• QWhat should I know before using the vaginal estrogen ring for menopause?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you have a family history of breast cancer or a family history of liver porphyria, a vaginal estrogen ring may not be a good option for you.
  
  Vaginal estrogen rings can worsen diabetes.
  
  If you have had a blood clot, a heart attack, a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), endometrial cancer, a hypercoagulation (increased blood clotting) disorder, impaired kidney function, impaired liver function, or a uterine fibroid, a vaginal estrogen ring may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you have had breast cancer, you should not use a vaginal estrogen ring.
  
  If you have had cholestatic jaundice associated with estrogen use or pregnancy, a vaginal estrogen ring may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are or may be pregnant, you should not use a vaginal estrogen ring.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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• QHow effective is the vaginal estrogen ring at easing symptoms of menopause?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  The vaginal ring may help relieve some of the urinary symptoms related to decreased estrogen, such as painful urination or an urgent need to urinate.
  
  Vaginal rings are as effective as other forms of vaginal estrogen (creams, gels, tablets) for relieving vaginal symptoms, such as dryness, itching, and pain with intercourse. For these symptoms, vaginal estrogen is more effective than estrogen in pill or patch form. And it is more effective than gels and creams that contain no estrogen. Even so, it can take a few weeks for symptoms to improve. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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• QWhat is estriol?

  1 Answer

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  A Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered

  Estriol is one of the three main estrogens (estradiol and estrone are the other two) produced by the human body. Estriol differs from estradiol and estrone because it is only produced in significant amounts during pregnancy.
  
  Estriol is made by the placenta from 16­-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (16­-OH DHEAS), an androgen steroid made in the fetal liver and adrenal glands. Estriol is virtually undetectable in the body until pregnancy, when its levels drastically increase. It is thought that the hormone suppresses the immune system so that women’s bodies do not treat the fetus as foreign or harmful. Levels of estriol in nonpregnant women do not change significantly after menopause and resemble those observed in men. 
• QHow do conjugated estrogens for injection interact with other medications?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are taking dabrafenib, enzalutamide, ospemifene, or tizanidine, bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
  
  If you are taking estrogen, you should not take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens.
  
  If you take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens, you should avoid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat are the side effects of conjugated estrogens?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Side effects may include dizziness, throat or neck pain, upper abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle spasms. Bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens raise the risk of stroke, blood clots, endometrial cancer, and gallbladder disease. They also increase the risk of dementia in older women. As with other therapies containing estrogen, bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens is usually prescribed for as short a time as possible. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat should I know before taking conjugated estrogens?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you have asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epilepsy, hypoparathyroidism, impaired kidney function, lupus (SLE), migraines, or porphyria, bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you have had a blood clot, a heart attack, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, a stroke, or liver disease, you should not take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens.
  
  If you have had cholestatic jaundice associated with estrogen use or pregnancy, bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are pregnant, you should not take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens.
  
  If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, you should not take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens.
  
  If you are breastfeeding, you should not take bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QIs vaginal estrogen cream safer than estrogen pills?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Vaginal atrophy can be treated with vaginal dilators -- available in different widths and sizes -- to help improve the elasticity and pliability of the vagina. Treatment usually involves five minutes of daily use with a lubricant. Be sure to discuss this treatment with your gynecologist before it.Your pelvic floor -- just like your biceps -- is made of muscle. Sex on a regular basis actually helps keep your vagina in shape. Kegel exercises help, too.

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• QWhat is estrogen?

  2 Answers

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  A SCAI answered

  Estrogen is a hormone that is produced by the body in one of three forms: estrone, estradiol and estriol. While the bodies of both men and women produce estrogen naturally, estrogen levels are far higher in women and produce certain sex characteristics of women (breasts and menstrual cycle, for example). In women, estrogen is produced primarily by the ovaries.
   
  Estrogen in women decreases after menopause, at which time risk for heart disease increases. However, recent studies have not supported the theory that estrogen replacement protects postmenopausal women from heart disease.

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• QHow does Climara treat estrogen hormone deficiency?

  1 Answer

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  A Patricia Geraghty, NP , Women's Health, answered

  Climara is a patch that contains estradiol or estrogen. The estrogen is used to manage symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. The estrogen is absorbed through the skin in a continuous and steady dose. A new patch is applied every week.