What is Estring Vaginal Ring?
The estring vaginal ring contains estradiol. Estradiol is an estrogen-like hormone that's essential for many bodily processes. Estring is an estring that releases estrogen, which can be absorbed through the skin on the vaginal walls.After menopause, Estring can be used to treat mild to moderate menopausal symptoms in and around the vaginal region (such as burning and itching, as well as urgency and irritation when urinating, as well as pain while sexually intercourse).Estring is a flexible, off-white ring that has a 2 mg estradiol center. It releases estradiol in the vagina consistently and steadily for 90 days. After 90 continuous days, the ring should be taken out. The ring must be changed if the therapy continues.
Side effects of Estring Vaginal Ring
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Estring, seek immediate medical attention: itching, difficulty breathing, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.If you experience nausea and vomiting with diarrhea, severe muscle pains, dizziness and fainting, or a sunburn-like rash, remove the vaginal rings and get emergency medical help. This could be a sign of toxic shock syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
If you experience:
- Symptoms of a heart attack: chest pressure or pain, spreading pain to the jaw or shoulder area, nausea, and sweating.
- Symptoms of stroke include sudden weakness or numbness (especially one-sided), a severe headache, and slurred or mumbled speech.
- Signs of a blood clot: sudden vision loss, stabbing pain in the chest, shortness of breath, blood coughed up, or pain or warmth on one or both of your legs.
- You may experience swelling in the stomach or tenderness.
- Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Memory problems, confusion, and unusual behavior
- Unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain
- A lump on your breast,
- High levels of calcium in your blood; nausea and vomiting; constipation; increased thirst; unexplained urination or increased thirst; weakness of muscles; pain of bones; lack of energy
Some of the common side effects associated with estring include:
- Nausea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach cramps;
- Headache;
- Weight gain can cause swelling of the hands and feet.
- Breast pain
- Breakthrough bleeding.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Contact the FDA by dialing their toll-free hotline: 1-800-FDA-1088 if any adverse reactions occur
Warnings
Estring should be avoided if: you are pregnant, have undiagnosed vaginal bleeds, have liver disease or bleeding disorders, will undergo major surgery, or have had heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, cancer in the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.Avoid using an Estring vaginal band if pregnant.Estradiol can increase the risk that you will develop a condition that may eventually lead to uterine cancer. Do not ignore any abnormal vaginal bleeding.Estradiol is not recommended to treat heart disease or stroke. Dementia should also be avoided.
Before you take this drug
Estring should not be used if:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by your doctor
- Liver disease
- A history of stroke, heart attack, or blood clot
- An increased risk for blood clots as a result of a blood disorder or heart disease;
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
Avoid using Estring while pregnant. Inform your doctor immediately if a pregnancy occurs during treatment.This medicine increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. This medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack if it is used by someone with diabetes or high cholesterol.Estring is not recommended for the prevention of heart disease, stroke, or dementia. The medicine can actually raise your chances of getting these diseases.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Estring will be safe for you:
- Heart disease
- If you have liver disease or yellowing of the skin, it could be caused by pregnancy and/or taking hormones.
- Kidney disease
- Gallbladder Disease
- Epilepsy
- Migraines;
- Lupus;
- Endometriosis or uterine fibroid tumors;
- Hereditary Angioedema
- Porphyria is a disorder of the genetic enzyme that can cause symptoms in the skin and nervous system.
- A thyroid disease;
- Calcium levels in the blood can be high or low.
Estradiol can increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer. Speak to your doctor regarding this possibility.Estradiol can lower the amount of hormone required to make breast milk and slow down production. Inform your doctor that you're breastfeeding.
How to take Estring Vaginal Ring?
Estring should be used exactly according to the instructions of your doctor. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse to help you understand the directions if you don't fully understand them.Before and after inserting the Estring vaginal rings, wash your hands.
How to use Estring vaginal rings:
- Insert the Estring vaginal rings as deep as you can (into the upper third of the vagina) by squeezing the side edges together. Once the ring is positioned, you should be unable to feel it. Use your finger to press it deeper into the vagina if you feel it. The ring cannot go beyond the vagina or get lost.
- It is recommended that the Estring vaginal band be worn for 90 consecutive days. If your doctor prescribes it, you should remove the ring and replace it with a brand new one. Rinse the ring with warm water if it falls out. Use a finger if it slips down to the lower portion of the vagina.
- You do not have to remove the Estring vaginal rings during sexual activity. The ring should not be felt at all by either partner. It can be removed and rinsed in warm water. Then, reinserted after the intercourse.
- Remove the ring by gently pulling it out of the vagina with a looped finger.
You should have your doctor check on you regularly to see if this is a treatment that should be continued. While using Estring, you should self-examine for lumps in your breasts every month and get a mammogram each year.You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going through major surgery or if you will need long-term rest. You should let any doctor who treats you know that Estring is being used.Keep away from heat and moisture. Store the Estring vaginal rings in their protective pouches until ready to use.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as possible, take the dose you missed. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching quickly, skip any missed ones and wait to take your next scheduled dosage.You should not take extra medication to compensate for a missed dose.As soon as possible, remove the vaginal band and replace it with a fresh one. Use an extra vaginal band to compensate for the time missed.Rinse the ring with warm water if it falls out. Then, re-insert it. Use your finger to press it further into the vagina if it falls down.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Smoking is harmful. While using Estring, you can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.Do not use other products for vaginal care without consulting your doctor.Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with estradiol to cause unwanted side effects. Do not use grapefruit juice or products..
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain drugs at the same time. Some medications can cause side effects that increase or decrease the effectiveness of another drug you are taking.Estradiol can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and other products. This medication guide does not list all interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.