Vaginally administered estrogens

Vaginally administered estrogens are estrogens that are delivered by intravaginal administration, thereby exerting their effects mainly in the nearby tissue, with more limited systemic effects compared to orally administered estrogens.^[1]

For menopausal hormone replacement therapy

When used for menopausal hormone replacement therapy, vaginally administered estrogens are intended to decrease the uncomfortable effects on the vagina, vulva and urethra that are caused by the decrease in estrogen production in the body after menopause, such as:

• Atrophic vaginitis, with presentations such as dryness and soreness in the vagina and dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)^[1]
• Itching, redness, or soreness of the vulva^[1]
• Urinary urgency (feeling an urge to urinate more often than is needed), or dysuria (experiencing pain while urinating)^[1]

Examples

• Vaginal tablets, including Vagifem which contains estradiol^[2]
• Vaginal cream, including Premarin which is a compound cream^[3] consisting primarily of conjugated estrogens isolated from mare's urine. Another vaginal cream is Ovesterin, which contains estriol.
• Vaginal rings, which are polymeric drug delivery devices designed to provide controlled release of drugs to the vagina over extended periods of time.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Estrogen (Vaginal Route) from Mayo Clinic / Thomson Healthcare Inc. Portions of this document last updated: Nov. 1, 2011
2. ^ Vagifem - Manufacturer's website
3. ^ Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream - Detailed View: Safety Labeling Changes Approved By FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) -- November 2008