Important things to tell your doctor while you are using estring

Talk to your doctor regularly (for example, every 3 to 6 months) about whether you should continue using ESTRING® (estradiol vaginal ring). See your doctor right away if you get vaginal bleeding while using ESTRING.

If you have fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, dizziness, faintness, or a sunburn-like rash on your face and body, remove ESTRING and contact your healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider if you have trouble removing the vaginal ring.

Side Effects

ESTRING is generally well tolerated. However, ESTRING may cause serious side effects.

A few cases of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) have been reported in women using vaginal rings. Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterial infection. If you have fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, dizziness, faintness, or a sunburn-like rash on your face and body, remove ESTRING and contact your healthcare provider.

The most commonly reported side effect with ESTRING use is increased vaginal secretions (moisture or discharge). Many of these are like the secretions that normally occur prior to menopause, and they are a sign that ESTRING is working. However, if the secretions have a bad smell, or cause vaginal itching or discomfort, be sure to contact your doctor or healthcare provider.

Most women did not find these side effects bothersome enough to stop using ESTRING. However, the most common reasons for stopping treatment with ESTRING, due to an adverse event, were vaginal discomfort and gastrointestinal (stomach and gas) symptoms.

RISK FACTORS

You should not use ESTRING if you:

  • Have unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Currently have or have had certain cancers. Estrogens may increase the chance of getting certain types of cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus. If you have or have had cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should use ESTRING
  • Had a stroke or heart attack in the past year
  • Currently have or have had blood clots
  • Currently have or have had liver problems
  • Are allergic to any of the ingredients in ESTRING (see the list of ingredients in ESTRING)
  • Think you may be pregnant

Tell your doctor or healthcare provider:

  • If you are breastfeeding. The hormone in ESTRING can pass into your breast milk
  • About all of your medical problems. Your healthcare provider may need to check you more carefully if you have certain conditions, such as asthma (wheezing), epilepsy (seizures), migraine, endometriosis, lupus, or problems with your heart, liver, thyroid, kidneys, or have high calcium levels in your blood
  • About all the medicines you take such as prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
  • If you are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest. You may need to stop using estrogens

Next Section: ESTRING Resources >

INDICATION

ESTRING® (estradiol vaginal ring) is used after menopause to treat moderate to severe vaginal itching, burning and dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and painful urination due to urogenital atrophy.

Important Safety Information

Estrogens increase the risk of cancer of the uterus. It is important that you report any unusual vaginal bleeding to your doctor right away. Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, or blood clots. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women aged 65 years or older. Estrogens should only be used for as long as needed. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with ESTRING.


ESTRING should be removed after 90 days of continued use.

Do not use ESTRING if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or have had cancer of the breast or uterus, had a stroke or heart attack, have or have had blood clots or liver problems, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

The most frequently reported side effects are headaches, increased vaginal secretions, vaginal discomfort, abdominal pain, and genital itching.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following warning signs: breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, dizziness and faintness, changes in speech, severe headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in your legs, or changes in vision.

Carefully follow instructions for use. If you have difficulty removing ESTRING, contact your healthcare provider right away.

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