Estrogens - ES-troe-jenz are hormones produced by the body. Among other things, estrogens help develop and maintain female organs.
When your body is in short supply of this hormone, replacing it can ease uncomfortable changes that occur in the vagina, vulva - female genitals and urethra - part of the urinary system. Conditions that are treated with vaginal estrogens include a genital skin condition - vulvar atrophy, inflammation of the vagina - atrophic vaginitis and inflammation of the urethra - atrophic urethritis.
Estrogens work partly by increasing a normal clear discharge from the vagina and making the vulva and urethra healthy. Using or applying an estrogen relieves or lessens:
When using vaginally or on the skin, most estrogens are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause some, but not all, of the same effects as when they are taken by mouth. Estrogens using vaginally at very low doses for treating local problems of the genitals and urinary system will not protect against osteoporosis or stop the hot flushes causing by menopause.
Estrogens for vaginal use are available only with your family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
Other commonly using names are dienoestrol , oestradiol and piperazine estrone sulfate .
Note:For quick reference, the following estrogens are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.