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✔ GPhC-registered pharmacies
Gina is a type of local hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to help manage the symptoms of menopause.
Gina tablets come pre-loaded into an applicator which is inserted into your vagina before releasing the tablet. The tablets slowly dissolve to release oestrogen into your vaginal tissue, replacing the reduced hormones. It’s the first ever HRT for post-menopausal people that’s available over the counter without a prescription.
Gina is used in treating one of the most common symptoms of menopause - vaginal atrophy or urogenital atrophy. Vaginal atrophy is a term used for when your vagina becomes dry, sore or itchy, and it can also make sex painful. Vaginal atrophy usually occurs when your oestrogen levels drop during menopause, thinning the tissue around your vagina. By taking Gina, you replace the oestrogen you’re missing to improve and get rid of your symptoms.
Please note that use in women under 50 or who are not postmenopausal is an ‘off-label’ use for Gina. All medications we offer are fully licensed within the UK. Some medications, such as this, we prescribe for conditions or circumstances that are outside of the license, also known as ‘off-label’. Prescribing ‘off-label’ is common practice by healthcare professionals to ensure a medication can safely benefit as many patients as possible. This is always based on updated information and evidence since the product first became available.
Gina works by replacing hormones that naturally decline during menopause to stop you from developing uncomfortable symptoms. It does this by slowly releasing oestrogen into your vaginal tissue.
After inserting Gina tablets into your vagina, it slowly dissolves over around 8 hours. However, the effects of Gina continue after it has dissolved. It should last for as long as you continue to use the treatment.
You should start noticing the positive effects of taking Gina around 4-8 weeks after starting treatment, but this varies depending on the person. If you are not noticing the effects of Gina after taking it for 3 months, you should speak to your doctor as it may not be the right treatment for you.
Gina tablets are clinically proven to treat your symptoms and their causes effectively. National guidelines recommend low-dose vaginal oestrogen tablets like Gina as the first treatment for menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching and soreness.
Gina is inserted directly into your vagina using a preloaded applicator. You will start out taking 1 tablet each day for the first 2 weeks of treatment. After the first 2 weeks, you will take 1 tablet twice a week. You can take Gina at any time of the day, but you should try to make sure it’s at the same time every day.
Make sure you always follow the instructions in your patient information leaflet, and if you are still not sure about your dose or how to use the medication, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
You can buy Gina from most UK pharmacies and online doctors like Superdrug Online Doctor.
You can buy Gina online quickly and easily with Superdrug Online Doctor.
All you need to do is:
Gina is the first form of HRT available without a prescription, which means you can buy it over the counter. The pharmacist will ask you a few questions before selling it to you to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you to take.
Gina is available over the counter because it is used to treat vaginal atrophy, which can be diagnosed based on its symptoms alone without the need for a physical examination by a doctor. This makes it more suitable to be available over the counter as your pharmacist can check it’s right for you. As Gina is also a very low-dose medication, it’s unlikely to cause major side effects or be harmful if taken incorrectly.
Gina is available on the NHS, but you will need a prescription from your doctor in order to get it. Your doctor may also decide that a different form of HRT is more suitable for you.
Like all medicines, Gina can cause side effects. If you do get side effects, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Common side effects of using Gina (affecting 1 in 10 people):
Gina isn’t suitable for everyone. It is recommended only for women who are over 50 and have not had a period for at least 1 year. Some conditions and medications can also make Gina less effective or possibly unsafe for you to take. If you’re concerned about starting Gina because of another condition or medication, you should speak to a doctor first.
Do not use Gina if:
About Online Doctor
We're a service that helps you order treatments online from UK-registered doctors with free, discreet, to-your-door deliveries.Reviewed by: Dr Babak Ashrafi in line with the Superdrug Online Editorial Process.
Dr Ashrafi studied at King’s College London and specialises in cardiology, diabetes, and stroke medicine.
Last reviewed on: 07/09/22