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What are the Benefits of Estradiol Cream?

Tricia Christensen
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 38,948
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Estrogen has many uses, so the benefits of estradiol cream may not be the same for each person. In fact, benefits are different for men who use estrogen than they are for women who use it. With the former, any form of estrogen might only be used in men in rare cases, like to shrink prostate tumors or growths. More commonly estradiol cream is prescribed for women to treat certain conditions.

The most common and accepted reason why estradiol cream could be prescribed is to manage extreme vaginal dryness and itching, usually in postmenopausal women. It has been shown to effectively alleviate this condition for many women and some side benefits to the drug include that it may lessen other menopausal conditions like hot flashes, bone loss, and changes in mood. There is indication that the drug may better promote weight lost in postmenopausal women and it has also been shown as lowering risk of heart attack and decreasing cholesterol levels.

The cream itself is often compared to other forms of estradiol delivery, like the estradiol rings which are inserted into the vagina and which release a steady level of hormones for three months. Some women prefer to use estradiol for a shorter period of time, and want to be able to discontinue it quickly, which is easy to do with a cream form. Alternately, there are pills that contain estradiol, and some women find an increase in digestive upset when they take the pills that doesn’t occur when they use estradiol cream. It bypasses the digestive system and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

In terms of actual benefits of the medication, it would be remiss not to discuss its significant risk and the reason why it is not uniformly prescribed for postmenopausal women. There are strong risks to health associated with estradiol cream. People who use estrogens increase likelihood of getting breast and ovarian cancer, elevate risk for stroke (especially if they are over 35), and increase chance of developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). Minor side effects that could occur with estradiol cream include vaginal bleeding, changes in mood, weight gain or loss, nausea, increased risk of high blood pressure, and irregularity in menstrual periods (for menstruating women). In menstruating women, estradiol is not recommended if women plan to get pregnant or are pregnant because it causes birth defects.

A medication like estradiol cream illustrates the delicate balance of risk and benefit. Clearly there are risks to taking this medication, but there are also chances of improved health. Patients who understand both benefit and risk may be confused about what choice to make when offered a medication that is not prescribed out of absolute necessity. The best thing is to consult with a good health professional to review understanding of the drug and make an intelligent determination on whether or not to use it.

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Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By galen84basc — On Oct 07, 2010

Do the same estrogen side effects apply to other kinds of estrogen therapy as well?

By pharmchick78 — On Oct 07, 2010

I'm glad that you mentioned all the side effects that can come with high estrogen creams like Estriol or Estrace cream. So many women turn to these for help without knowing about what it actually does to your body.

In fact, with Estradiol vaginal cream in particular, the information on Estradiol says that you should use it for the shortest time possible to get the effects and minimize the risk of side effects.

Besides those mentioned in the article, Estradiol cream side effects can also include an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Some women also experience jaundice, unusual vaginal bleeding, dizziness, and can interfere with diagnostic lab tests.

Finally, women who plan to become pregnant should not use Estradiol, and Estradiol is found in breast milk, so nursing mothers should not use it.

Any side effects should be reported immediately to your doctor.

By CopperPipe — On Oct 07, 2010

What would be some alternative methods of estrogen therapy? My sister's doctor is recommending that she undergo estrogen therapy, but she's a little reluctant to try a hormone cream.

It seems like all you really hear about with menopause estrogen creams are side effects, so I can kind of understand her hesitance, but she still really wants to undergo the estrogen therapy.

What would be some alternatives to an estrogen cream?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia...
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