What is Estrogel?
Estrogel is a gel containing 17β-estradiol, which is meant to be used transdermally.
This medication is used in Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) for women in an estrogen-deficient state caused by menopausal or postmenopausal symptoms.
In some cases, Estrogel gel is also prescribed alongside progestin for women that have intact uteri. This is done to help prevent endometrial hyperplasia/carcinoma.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Estrogel, please review the product monograph.
How does Estrogel work?
The active ingredient in doses of Estrogel is estradiol, which is a naturally occurring female hormone.
As women enter menopause, their bodies begin producing less estrogen, and some stop producing it completely by the time they reach the postmenopausal life stage.
Estrogel works by helping to replace the missing hormones, and by doing so, alleviates symptoms that often occur in menopause/postmenopause (i.e., hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, etc.)
What is Estrogel used to treat?
Estrogel has two primary uses:
Its primary use is as a medication in Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT), which may also be called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
As women enter menopause and then postmenopause, their bodies produce less estrogen. Some stop producing it entirely.
Doses of Estrogel help replace these missing hormones, which reduces the severity of menopause-related symptoms.
Additionally, Estrogel is often used in tandem with a progestin medication to help prevent endometrial hyperplasia/carcinoma in women that have intact uteri.
How do you take Estrogel?
Before you can start dosing your Estrogel, you’ll need to remove the pump cover.
Next, you should prime the pump, so that a full dose is ready to dispense. This usually takes a pump or two. Discard these partial doses of Estrogel. Note that you only need to prime a pump before your first use of a new Estrogel.
Wash your hands, as well as the areas that you’re going to be applying the medication. You’ll need to use two distinct areas. If you’re using your arms, use the opposite hand to apply to each respective arm.
A full dosage of Estrogel is usually two pumps, but because you’re going to spread it over two areas, you should use one pump to apply at a time.
Apply to each area, and make sure the medication is spread evenly across the area. Then leave for at least two minutes to dry, before covering with clothing.
Always replace the pump cover after each use.
NOTE: Never apply Estrogel on your face, your breasts, or to any area that has irritated or damaged skin. Estrogel is for topical use only.
How long does Estrogel last after you take it?
What are the common side effects of Estrogel?
Side effects from taking Estrogel could include:
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting in between normal periods
- Headaches
- Depressive mood
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Tenderness or swelling of the breasts
- Water retention
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort
- Gallbladder disorder
- Impaired liver function
- Menstrual cramps
- Vaginal itching or discharge
- Pain during intercourse
- Change in libido
- Difficulty or pain during urinating
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Inflammation of the bladder
- Brown, blotchy spots on exposed skin (melasma)
- Skin rash, tender red lumps/nodules, or other skin reactions
- Loss of hair or hair growth
- Acne
- Worsening varicose veins
- Heart palpitations
- Nervousness or irritability
- Fatigue
- Intolerance to contact lenses
- Changes in appetites
- Changes in body weight (increase or decrease)
- Pain in joints or muscles, usually lasting only 3-6 weeks
If you start to experience any of the side effects severely, be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner. They may be able to suggest an alternative Estrogel dose (1 pump instead of 2), or a different medication that may work better for you.
Who shouldn't take Estrogel?
There are a number of people who shouldn’t use Estrogel, such as:
- People with liver disease
- People with a history of breast or endometrial cancer
- People with unexpected or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- People who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant
- People that are breastfeeding
- People with a history of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes
- People that experience migraine headaches
- People with a history of blood clots
- People that have active thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins)
- People with vision issues resulting from blood vessel disease of the eye
- People that have a known or suspected hormone-dependent cancer
- People who are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients in Estrogel
In addition to these people, there are others who should be extra cautious about using Estrogel, such as:
- People with a history of liver disease, liver tumours, or jaundice
- People with a history of breast disease, breast biopsies, or a family history of breast cancer
- People who have a history of endometrial hyperplasia, which is an overgrowth of the lining of the uterus
- People who have experienced undiagnosed or unusual vaginal bleeding
- People who have experienced pain or pressure in their abdomen or pelvis
- People with a history of uterine fibroids
- People with a personal history of heart disease or stroke or a family history of blood clots
- People with a history of migraine headaches
- People with a history of allergy or intolerance to Estrogel or any of its ingredients, or to any other medications or substances
- People with a history of high blood pressure
- People with a history of kidney disease, asthma, or epilepsy
- People with a history of bone disease
- People with diabetes
- People with porphyria, which is a blood pigment disease
- People with a history of high cholesterol or high triglycerides
- People with a history of depression
- People who have had a hysterectomy
- People that have a condition called hereditary or acquired angioedema
- People that have had episodes of rapid swelling of the hands, feet, face, lips, eyes, tongue, throat, or digestive tract
- People with lupus
- People with hearing loss due to otosclerosis
- People with Hepatitis C
- People who are breastfeeding
If any of these conditions apply to you, be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix before requesting Estrogel gel online in Canada. They may be able to suggest alternative medications that will work better for you, based on your current health and medical history.
The following drugs may interact with Estrogel:
- Barbiturates
- Hydantoins
- Carbamazepine
- Meprobamate
- Phenylbutazone or rifampin
- Atorvastatin
- Antibiotics
- Aminoglutethimide
- Some herbal products (e.g. St. John’s wort)
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin troglitazone
- Ascorbic acid
- Acetaminophen
- Oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol, progestin
Estrogens may diminish the effectiveness of anticoagulant, antidiabetic, or antihypertensive drugs.
Further reading
