Estrogel (Estradiol Gel) 0.1%

WHAT ESTROGEL (ESTRADIOL GEL) IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

Estrogel (estradiol gel) contains 0.1 percent estradiol in a gel base. It is a clear, colorless gel, which is odorless when dry. One pump of estradiol gel delivers 0.5 g of gel that contains 0.5 mg estradiol.

Estradiol gel 0.1% gel contains oestrogens, natural sex hormones found in the body, and belongs to a group of meds called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It replaces loss of estrogen and helps to reduce menopause symptoms.

It's a well known fact that when a woman reaches menopause, the amount of estrogen produced by her body decreases. This can cause symptoms such as a hot chest, face, neck. This condition is known as "hot flashes". Estrogel (estradiol gel) 0.1% relieves these symptoms.

It is recommended to only take estradiol gel if you undergone a hysterectomy or taking progesterone in addition. Otherwise you will be putting yourself through health risks associated with estrogen-only HRT.

WHO SHOULD TAKE ESTROGEL?

Estradiol gel should be taken by those suffering from menopausal symptoms and MTF transgenders.

Menopausal symptoms

Signs of menopausal estrogen deficiency include hot flashes triggered by the sudden expansion of blood vessels. If this occurs at night, they can cause night sweats or "hot flashes". Dryness and vaginal thinning called atrophic vaginitis may cause pain or discomfort during sexual activity and frequent urinary tract infections. Menopausal symptoms can include mood swings, headaches, inability to concentrate and loss of energy.

The loss of the density of bones is a serious issue that is caused by the loss of estrogen, and it can cause osteoporosis. This causes bones to become brittle, which means they break more quickly. Estradiol gel eases the symptoms of menopausal symptoms and assists in preventing menopausal bone loss (osteoporosis) in order to lower the chance of breaking.

The transgender hormone treatment

Estrogen is a key element in the hormone therapy for transgender male and female transsexuals as part of a gender reassignment program. Estrogel (estradiol gel) gel stimulates the development of sexual characteristics in females in order to help promote the process of feminization including breast development. It also triggers metabolic changes like fat distribution and body shape.

HOW DOES ESTROGEL WORK?

Estradiol gel 0.1 percent is a transdermal jelly that is a synthetic form estradiol, which is chemically and biologically equivalent to naturally-produced estradiol. It is the main and most active form of female hormone estrogen.

After administration, estradiol diffuses from the gel and is absorbed by the skin and into the blood. It acts by traversing the cell membrane and binds to specific receptors within the cells of the tissues it targets. This includes the ovaries, the uterus, bone and the breast tissue. Estrogen binds to its receptor is then directly interacting with the DNA, and stimulates an production (activation) of certain genes to produce proteins that are required for the estrogen-dependent functions in these tissues, including the growth of breast cells, enhanced vaginal cell lubrication and an increase in bone density.

Since Estrogel (estradiol gel) is not able to travel through the digestive system, but instead is absorbed directly into the blood, it's not metabolized (broken down) by the liver like when estrogen is administered orally in tablet form.

WHAT IS ESTRADIOL GEL MADE FROM?

The active ingredient of Estrogel (estradiol gel) is estradiol hemihydrate 0.1 percent, which is used in hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate signs of depression caused by the estrogen shortage among women who are menopausal.

The 50 g bottle is equipped with a dose pump that can deliver 100 dosages 0.5 g gel. Each dose contains 0.5 mg of estradiol.

ESTROGEL SIDE EFFECTS

Common side effects associated with taking estradiol gel are irritations where it is applied. Also, tenderness of the breasts as well as nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, bleeding or spotting.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY ESTROGEL (ESTRADIOL GEL) 0.1%

Medical history and regular check-ups

There are risks associated with using HRT and starting or continuing treatment should be carefully considered.

Experience in treating women with a premature menopause (due to ovarian failure or surgical removal) is limited. If you have a premature menopause, the risks of hormone replacement therapy may be different from those of other women. Please ask your doctor about this.

Before you start (or restart) using estrogel (estradiol gel) 0.1%, your doctor will ask you about your personal and family medical history. Your doctor will determine the need for a physical exam. This may include an examination of the breasts and/or an abdominal examination, if necessary.

Once you have started using estradiol gel 0.1%, you should see your doctor for regular check-ups (at least once a year). At these follow-up visits, a careful re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of HRT treatment should be made to determine whether it is advisable to continue treatment.

Estradiol gel 0.1% must not be used if one of the following applies to you. If you are not sure if this is the case, please talk to your doctor before using it.

So, estrogel must not be used if:

1. You have or have previously had breast cancer or suspected of having breast cancer;
2. You have or are suspected of having a form of cancer that depends on estrogen for growth, such as cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrium);
3. Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause occurs;
4. Excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not treated you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), e.g. in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs;
5. You suffer from a blood clotting disorder (e.g. protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency) you have or have ever had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, e.g. heart attack, stroke or attacks of chest pain with tightness (angina pectoris);
6. You have or have had liver disease and your liver function tests have not yet returned to normal;
7. You suffer from a rare, inherited blood disorder called porphyria;
8. You are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

If any of the above conditions appear for the first time while using estrogel (estradiol gel) 0.1%, please stop treatment and contact your doctor immediately.

ADMINISTRATION OF ESTROGEL (ESTRADIOL GEL) 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT ESTROGEL (ESTRADIOL GEL) 0.1%

Active Component: Estradiol.

Volume & Packaging: 50 ml bottle equipped with a pump.

Storage conditions: Store at 2℃ up to 25℃ in a cool, dry place.

Estrogel (estradiol gel) 0.1% is manufactured by Theramex in Italy.