Estriol Cream

The active ingredient in Estriol Cream is estriol (0.01%). Estriol cream is often sold under the brand name of; Ovestin and Gynest. The branded medications contain the same active ingredient of estriol.

Estriol Cream works by replacing oestrogen in the body, normally produced in the ovaries, to relieve symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

When you buy Estriol Cream online, or from your local GP, the dose prescribed will depend on what your doctor or pharmacist recommends dependant on your healthcare analysis. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

The usual recommended dose for Estriol Cream is 1 applicator up to the ring a day for the first 2-3 weeks and then 1 applicator up to the ring twice a week.

The lowest possible dose if often prescribed to relieve symptoms and prevent side effects.

Whenever you buy Estriol Cream online, or from your local GP, always take the medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has advised. Refer to the Estriol Cream patient information leafletfor more information before you commence treatment.

If you have had a hysterectomy or have never used HRT before you can start using Estriol Cream immediately. If you are changing from another type of HRT where you have a period, start taking Estriol Cream one week after you finish the other HRT.

When you buy Estriol Cream and commence treatment it is best to use the medication before bed as you will need to insert a full applicator of cream into the vagina. Always use the applicator to apply the cream into the vagina.

The following instructions are advised for application:

Please ensure that you read the Estriol Cream patient information leafletso you have a complete understanding of how to use this medication.

For general hygiene it is important to clean the applicator after every dose.

Do not put the applicator in boiling water or use detergents to clean it.

You may feel sick if you use more cream than required. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned. In emergency cases where discomfort persists please phone 111 or 999.

If you forget to use Estriol Cream apply the next dosage as soon as you remember unless it is over 12 hours late. If you are more than 12 hours late in taking the dose skip this dose and take the next one at your regular time.

Like all medications, when you buy Estriol Cream online, or from your local GP and commence treatment it may cause side effects. Please read the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet before using this medication.

Some common side effects are:

• Irritation or itching of the skin around the vagina
• Increase in vaginal discharge
• Bleeding or spotting
• Gallbladder problems
• Rash or hypersensitivity to sunlight
• Swelling or tender breasts
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms

Contact your doctor immediately and stop using Estriol Cream if:

• You show signs of a severe allergic reaction, including swelling, irritation or rash at the area of applications
• You have a a severe rise in blood pressure
• You have yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• You experience migraine-like headaches
• You are showing signs of a blood clot, including swelling of the leg or legs, sudden chest pain, or difficulty breathing

For more information regarding side effects of this medication please read the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet.

You should not buy Estriol Cream online and commence treatment:

• If you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it
• If you have cancer which is sensitive to estrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• If you have excessive thickening of the womb lining
• If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein
• If you have a blood clotting disorder
• If you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina
• If you have or ever have had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal
• If you have a rare blood problem called porphyria
• If you are allergic to estriol or any of the other ingredients of Estriol Cream listed in the patient information leaflet.

Ensure that you have disclosed your full medical history with your doctor or pharmacist before you commence treatment with Estriol Cream including a list of medications you are currently taking including herbal medication.

Estriol cream may cause complication if you have any of the following conditions:

• fibroids inside your womb
• growth of womb lining outside your womb or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining
• increased risk of developing blood clots
• increased risk of getting an estrogen-sensitive cancer
• high blood pressure
• a liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumor
• diabetes
• gallstones
• migraine or severe headache
• a disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body
• epilepsy
• asthma
• a disease affecting the eardrum and hearing
• fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems

For a full list of precautions, please read the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet.

This medication has no reported effects with food and alcohol.

Always report any medication you are currently taking to your doctor or pharmacist before you commence treatment with a new medication.

Taking certain medication alongside Estriol Cream may cause interactions, these medications include:

• medicines for epilepsy (barbiturates, hydantoins and carbamezapine.)
• medicines for infections (griseofulvin and rifamycins.)
• medicines for viral infections (nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir or nelfinavir)
• herbal preparations containing St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• one of the following medicines: corticosteroids, succinylcholine,theophyllines or troleandomycin.

Please read the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet for a full list of interactions.

Yes, you can legally buy Estriol Cream online from trusted prescriber such as e-Surgery.

Whenever you buy Estriol Cream online, or any other medication make sure you check for the green GPhC logo on the bottom of each page of the website you are using.

You can use theGPhC website to check if a pharmacy is registered. This will ensure that when you buy Estriol Cream online it is genuine.

Always store medication out of sight and reach of children.

When you buy Estriol Cream ensure you store it below 25C and do not freeze, as per instruction of the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet.

Do not use this medication after the expiry date stated on the package. Whenever you buy estriol Cream online, or any other medication, please check the expiry date when your medication arrives to you in the post.

If you choose to buy Estriol Cream online from e-Surgery it will cost ____, this includes the price of private prescription.

e-Surgeryuses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal Mail tracked 48 delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24and Royal Mail 1pm special delivery (discover more aboute-Surgery delivery). When you buy Estriol Cream online it will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

If you are unsure, please find out more information on how to recycle packaging from e-Surgery.

Please ask your local pharmacy to dispose of unused Estriol cream safely.

Cardboard packaging and patient information leaflets are recyclable alongside e-Surgery packaging.

If you have more questions about Estriol Cream you can use our free Ask-a-Pharmacist service for support. We are here to help 9-5pm Monday-Friday!

Alternatively you can refer to the Estriol Cream patient information leaflet for extra information.

At e-Surgery we also stock patches and tablets used for hormone replacement therapy. Please visit our HTR treatment category to view all of our listed products.

If you have any more questions regarding HRT please use our free Ask-a-Pharmacist service, we are always here to help!

Alternatively view a detailed list of hormone replacement therapy types on the NHS website.