Low Dose Vaginal Estrogen Therapy

This involves estrogen being applied directly to the vagina, where it works locally to improve the quality of the skin by normalizing its acidity and making it thicker and better lubricated. The advantage of using local therapy rather than systemic therapy (i.e. hormone tablets or patches, etc.) is that much lower doses of hormone can be used to achieve good effects in the vagina, while minimizing effects on other organs such as the breast or uterus. Vaginal estrogen comes in several forms such as vaginal tablet, creams or gel or in a ring pessary.

Local estrogen is used to treat urogenital atrophic skin changes. This is a medical term that describes the skin changes that occur in the vagina, urethra (tube from the bladder) and vulva when the ovaries no longer produce estrogen after menopause. This can lead to changes in the acidity of the vagina leading to the skin becoming dry, thinned, sore, and less lubricated.

Women who have vaginal atrophy can present with discomfort or pain with intercourse, increasing vaginal discharge and irritation, or a burning sensation. The aim of low dose vaginal estrogen is to relieve these symptoms.

The skin changes that take place occur in the tube from the bladder (urethra) and in the base of the bladder (the trigone). These changes may result in symptoms of urinary frequency or urgency and discomfort passing urine. You may also be more prone to urinary tract infections. Local intravaginal estrogen can help to relieve these symptoms.