Practice
Asking about vaginal estrogen
A local treatment, not the same as hormone therapy — very little of it reaches the rest of the body.
What to do
Ask specifically about low-dose vaginal estrogen — a cream, tablet or ring. It is worth naming it yourself, because plenty of appointments never get to it. Because it acts locally and almost none of it is absorbed, it is often an option for women who cannot take systemic hormone therapy, though a history of breast cancer is a conversation to have with your oncologist rather than a flat no.
Add it to the same note you take to the appointment.
On a hard day: Write the words "vaginal estrogen" down. That is the whole ask.
When you might notice
A few weeks for comfort, up to three months for the tissue itself.
Roughly what it costs
Depends on your insurance and country — worth asking about the generic
What this is based on
Low-dose vaginal estrogen is the most effective treatment for genitourinary symptoms of menopause, and systemic absorption is minimal at the doses used.
Well established
Or instead of this
These do a similar job. Pick the one that fits your life — doing all of them is not better.
Worth checking first
- Worth a word with your provider first if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer or have vaginal bleeding no one has explained yet.
What this is for
Guía is not a doctor and none of this is medical advice. It is here so you can have a better conversation with someone who is. Who made this
Which of these is for you?
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