How safe are estrogen creams?

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Professionally Researched. (What's this?)

According to Healthwise, hormone replacement therapy puts women at a greater risk of developing breast cancer and heart disease. Estrogen creams do not raise hormone levels in the same way as oral hormones, but the long-term effects of the creams are unknown.

Types

Women who are seeking relief from the vaginal itch and dryness associated with menopause have the choice of oral hormone replacement or estrogen creams. Patients apply estrogen creams directly to the vagina, and the creams offer relief from the dryness.

Function

The patient applies estrogen cream to the vaginal area everyday for three weeks and then one week the treatment stops. Treatment continues for as long as women are experiencing symptoms.

Identification

When a woman goes through menopause, estrogen levels decline and cause the vagina to become dry and irritated. The symptoms include itchiness and dryness, which can make sexual activity painful.

Warning

When hormone replacement therapy treats menopause in pill form, estrogen levels in the bloodstream become high. Estrogen creams also causes estrogen levels to increase in the bloodstream through absorption, but the increase is not as high as that caused by oral hormone replacement therapy.

Considerations

Women who are at an increased risk of breast cancer may not be appropriate candidates for hormone replacement therapy or estrogen creams. Other options to treat vaginal dryness include vitamin E oil or vitamin E suppositories, which may soothe the irritated area.

Source:

Healthmad: Is Hormone Vaginal Cream Safe?

Healthwise: Menopause and Perimenopause

The Ohio State University Medical Center: Hormone Replacement Therapy

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How safe are estrogen creams?

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