This post is sponsored by Pfizer Inc., the makers of Estring® (estradiol vaginal ring) 2 mg. For more information on ESTRING®, please see Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Patient Information. Please see below or click here for Important Safety Information. The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
“[After menopause] my vaginal symptoms were severe and I decided I needed to do something about it,” says 63-year-old Patricia Hensley, who experienced unexpected changes once she hit postmenopause, including painful sex. Patricia is among many women who experience postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. Curious about what the common symptoms are and what treatment options are available? Take our quiz and learn about one way women can alleviate these symptoms!
If you are past menopause, you may have experienced some physical changes. In fact, up to 40% of postmenopausal women experience vaginal atrophy, and painful intercourse is a [common] symptom.
There are several prescription treatment options currently available. It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to find a treatment option that’s right for you. One option to consider is Estring® (estradiol vaginal ring) 2 mg. Estring® is clinically proven to relieve moderate-to-severe painful sex, vaginal burning, itching, dryness, and painful urination caused by postmenopausal vaginal changes. Estring is a soft, flexible ring that gradually releases estrogen for 90 days at the site of pain, helping restore vaginal tissue to a healthier condition.
In a US clinical study, 95% of Estring® users rated it’s comfort as “excellent” or “very good” and 95% reported it was “easy” or “very easy” to use once inserted.*
*A 12-week, open-label, randomized, parallel study in the United States compared the efficacy, safety, and patient acceptance of Estring® with vaginal estrogen cream in the treatment of 192 postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms due to estrogen deficiency.
Are you ready to talk to your doctor?
“If anything is affecting your health and the comfort of your life, you have to get over the embarrassment. Talk about all your symptoms with your doctor. You should feel comfortable opening up about every symptom you’re experiencing. There’s no reason to suffer in silence – schedule that doctor’s appointment today!” says Patricia an Estring® user.
Learn more about Estring® today and find out if it’s right for you!
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Using estrogen alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using ESTRING. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause.
Do not use estrogens, with or without progestins, to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia (decline in brain function).
Using estrogen alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots.
Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older.
Estrogens should be used at the lowest dose possible, only for as long as needed. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment.
ESTRING should be removed after 90 days of continued use. If continuation of therapy is indicated, the flexible ring should be replaced. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with ESTRING to control these problems.
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, have a bleeding disorder, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.
Estrogens increase the risk of gallbladder disease. Discontinue estrogen if loss of vision, pancreatitis, or liver problems occur. If you take thyroid medication, consult your healthcare provider, as use of estrogens may change the amount needed.
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.
INDICATION
ESTRING is a local estrogen therapy used after menopause to treat moderate-to-severe menopausal changes in and around the vagina. ESTRING PROVIDES RELIEF OF LOCAL SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE ONLY.
ANSWER KEY
1. Menopause is a normal part of aging and at least one-third of women experience some vaginal symptoms after menopause.
a. True: With the average age of menopause at 52 and women living into their 80s, women are living nearly one third of their lives postmenopause
2. What causes postmenopausal vaginal atrophy?
e. Loss of estrogen
3. Of the following choices, which are common symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy? [Select all that apply]
a. All of the above: Vaginal dryness, itching and burning; painful urination; painful intercourse
4. Over 50% of women suffering from postmenopausal vaginal atrophy had conversations with their doctors or gynecologists for available treatments and are comfortable to ask for more information regarding their symptoms.
a. False: In an international survey of women’s views and perceptions of the menopause, 39% of the postmenopausal cohort had experienced vaginal atrophy; however, around 70% had not discussed it with a doctor or gynecologist, and 77% of the interviewees believed that women were uncomfortable discussing the condition with a medical professional.”
5. Of the following, what are approved forms of local estrogen therapies that can improve symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy?
[Select all that apply]
a. All of the above: Cream, ring & tablet