Estriol Cream is a prescription-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that’s suitable for postmenopausal women. It’s applied directly inside the vagina to manage menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness (also called atrophy), irritation, and painful sex.

Estriol Cream contains 1mg/g of estriol, the natural female hormone. It works by replacing the oestrogen that’s normally produced by the ovaries and can be used on its own or with other types of HRT to treat different symptoms not related to the vagina, such as patches and tablets.

Estriol Cream is applied just once a day directly inside the vagina to relieve symptoms by restoring the vaginal wall, the normal microflora, and pH.

Estriol cream works by replacing oestrogen levels that have been lost due to menopause. By applying the cream directly to the area that requires it, Estriol Cream helps directly to restore elasticity and lubrication to your vagina, relieving symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and painful sex.

During menopause, your oestrogen levels naturally decline and this can cause several symptoms, including vaginal atrophy, a condition that causes the vaginal wall to thin, dry out, and become inflamed. You may also become more at risk of getting urinary tract infections (UTIs). Estriol Cream restores oestrogen levels in the vagina to help you feel more comfortable and prevent menopause-related symptoms.

How long does Estriol Cream take to work?

It can take up to 3 months for Estriol Cream to work fully and improve your symptoms. However, some people feel the benefit within just a few weeks of starting treatment.

How effective is Estriol Cream?

Estriol Cream can relieve vaginal menopause symptoms within the first few weeks of treatment. Clinical trials show that after 1 week of treatment, Estriol Cream reduced symptom severity scores by 48%.

Estriol cream is applied in the vagina with a clear plastic applicator. A good time to apply Estriol Cream is before going to bed.

The applicator has a ring marked around it to help guide you to your correct dose. You simply fill the applicator up to the ring mark with this medicine to get the correct dose.

The usual dose is 1 applicator full per day for 3 to 4 weeks and then 1 applicator full twice a week. Follow your doctor’s prescription to make sure you’re taking the correct dose.

How to apply Estriol Cream:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
2. Remove the cap from the tube and turn the cap upside down, then use the sharp point to pierce open the tube.
3. Screw the end of the applicator onto the tube.
4. Squeeze the tube to fill the applicator with cream up to the red ring mark – the plunger will stop at the red ring mark.
5. Unscrew the applicator from the tube and put the cap back on the tube.
6. To apply the cream, get into a comfortable position such as lying down or standing up, and gently insert the applicator into your vagina as far as it feels comfortable. Then, slowly push the plunger as far as it will go until the cream has been dispensed.
7. Once all the cream has been dispensed from the applicator, carefully remove it from your vagina.

Once you have applied the cream, you’ll need to clean the applicator by:

1. Pulling the plunger out of the barrel.
2. Washing the plunger and barrel in hot, soapy water – do not use detergents or boiling water.
3. Rinse well with clean water afterwards.

When to apply Estriol Cream?

It is best to apply Estriol Cream before you go to bed, but it can be applied at any time.

What if I forget to apply Estriol Cream?

If you miss your dose of Estriol Cream and it is less than 12 hours since your missed dose, apply the cream as soon as you remember.

If it is more than 12 hours late, skip the missed dose and apply the next one at the usual time.

Is Estriol Cream safe to use long-term?

The long-term risks of using Estriol Cream are not certain, so your doctor must review your treatment at least once a year.

What happens if I stop using Estriol Cream?

If you stop using Estriol Cream, your menopause symptoms may come back. If you are thinking about stopping, talk to your doctor first as they can help you reduce your dose gradually or suggest a different type of HRT.

Estriol Cream is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

You can request Estriol Cream online from a reputable online doctor or pharmacy service. Alternatively, it may be available on the NHS, depending on your symptoms and its availability.

Can I buy Estriol Cream online?

Yes, you can request Estriol Cream Online at Superdrug Online Doctor. To do this, you need to:

1. Fill out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Order your preferred treatment and make payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other treatment options.

Can I buy Estriol Cream over the counter?

No, Estriol Cream requires a prescription from a doctor or registered healthcare professional before you can obtain it.

Gina is an alternative over-the-counter form of HRT that’s available without a prescription in most UK pharmacies and online. Gina is a vaginal tablet, instead of a cream, that also treats vaginal menopause symptoms.

Can I get Estriol Cream on the NHS?

Yes, Estriol Cream may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with a doctor so they can assess if it is suitable for you to use.

Like all medications, estriol cream can cause side effects but not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 100 people, include:

• unexpected vaginal bleeding
• vaginal discomfort or itchiness
• urinary tract infections
• stomach pain

Uncommon side effects include:

• anorectal (anus or rectum) discomfort
• candida infection (thrush)
• headache
• pelvic pain

Other Estriol Cream side effects include:

• increased vaginal discharge
• gallbladder issues
• skin rash or allergy to the sun
• swollen, tender, or painful breasts
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• flu-like symptoms

How long do Estriol Cream side effects last?

Most Estriol Cream side effects will go away on their own within a few weeks once your body is used to the medication. However, if they last longer or you find them difficult to manage, speak to your doctor for advice.

What to do if you get Estriol Cream side effects

Most of the common or mild Estriol Cream side effects can usually be managed at home.

Here are some of the things you can do to relieve estriol side effects at home:

Headaches

Headaches should only last for a few days after starting treatment, but they can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

If your headaches last longer than a week or are severe, speak to your doctor.

Stomach pain or discomfort

If you experience stomach pain, try taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, or applying a warm compress or covered hot water bottle to the area for pain relief.

Urinary tract infections

If you suspect you have a UTI, then you should make an appointment with your doctor to get treatment. It is also important to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks to help flush out your system.

Feeling or being sick

Get plenty of rest and eat and drink slowly. It can help to eat smaller, more frequent meals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

If you are concerned about any side effects or experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately:

• high blood pressure
• the skin or whites of your eyes turn yellow (jaundice)
• sudden migraine-like headaches
• signs of a blood clot, such as throbbing, cramping, swelling, redness or warmth in leg or arm, or sudden breathlessness and chest pain with coughing up blood

Do not use Estriol cream if you have:

• an allergy to any of its ingredients
• ever had breast cancer
• a form of cancer that is sensitive to oestrogen
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• excessive thickening of the womb lining
• or have ever had a blood clot in the vein
• a blood clotting disorder
• recently had a heart attack, stroke, or angina
• or have ever had a liver disease
• an inherited blood problem called porphyria

You should talk to your doctor before using Estriol Cream if you have or have ever had:

• fibroids inside your womb
• endometriosis or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining
• an increased risk of developing blood clots
• an increased risk of getting oestrogen-sensitive cancer
• high blood pressure
• a liver disorder
• diabetes
• gallstones
• migraine or severe headaches
• a disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body
• epilepsy
• asthma
• a disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis)
• a very high level of fat in your blood
• fluid retention due to heart or kidney problems

It is important that you tell your doctor about your previous medical history or any family medical history, so they can assess if Estriol Cream is a safe and suitable hormone replacement therapy for you.

Estriol Cream and other medications

Some medications can interact with Estriol Cream and affect the way it works.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• epilepsy medications
• medications used to treat bacterial or viral infections
• hepatitis C medications
• St John’s wort
• corticosteroids
• succinylcholine
• theophyllines
• troleandomycin

Tell your doctor before using Estriol Cream if you are or are going to take any other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Estradiol is a stronger form of oestrogen compared to estriol. Because estriol is a weaker form of oestrogen it may cause less side effects. Speak to your doctor if you are uncertain whether estradiol or estriol would be more suitable for you.