Compare Estring vs. Elestrin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relieves vaginal dryness due to menopause.
Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) is more convenient than other forms of estrogen therapy since you only have to replace it every 3 months, but it needs to be inserted directly into the vagina.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 56 reviewsforEstring
Relieves hot flashes due to menopause.
Elestrin (Estradiol gel) is a good, easy-to-use option if you don’t want to use pills or patches with estrogen hormones.
Upsides
- Many women find Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) more comfortable to use and easier to apply than creams or gels.
- Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) may be more convenient since it is dosed once every 3 months compared to alternatives that need to taken daily or twice weekly.
- Works directly at the site of application and safer than oral estrogen pills.
- Elestrin (Estradiol gel) replaces estrogen to your whole body and relieves multiple symptoms due to low estrogen, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
- Elestrin (Estradiol gel) is good for people who don't want to or can't take daily pills.
- Elestrin (Estradiol gel) has fewer side effects than birht control pills since there are lower amounts of estrogen.
- Most people start to feel better within 3-4 weeks of starting Elestrin (Estradiol gel).
Downsides
- Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) may not be the best option if you have a narrow vagina or frequent vaginal infections.
- The ring can fall out without you noticing.
- Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) is only available as brand name, so can be expensive.
- Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) All estrogen therapies increase your risk for uterine cancer, heart problems, and blood clots.
- Taking Elestrin (Estradiol gel) increases your risk for many conditions, like endometrial or breast cancer, dementia, heart disease, and blood clots.
- You have to use Elestrin (Estradiol gel) with another hormone called progestin to lower your risk of uterine cancer.
- Not a good option for people with liver problems.
- It's possible to expose other people to the estrogen before it's absorbed by your skin.
- Can be expensive since it's only available as a brand name product.
Used for
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
Dosage forms
- Vaginal ring
- Gel
Price
Lowest price
$473.17
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$227.52
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Reviews
56 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Estring (estradiol vaginal ring)?
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Side effects
20possible side effects
- Headache13%
- Vaginal discharge7%
- Back pain6%
- Yeast infection6%
- Upper airway infection5%
- Vaginal inflammation5%
- Vaginal discomfort/pain5%
- Arthritis4%
- Trouble sleeping4%
- Stomach pain4%
- Sinus infection4%
- Vaginal bleeding4%
- Bacterial growth in the genitals4%
- Joint pain3%
- Nausea3%
- Flu-like symptoms3%
- Bone pain2%
- Bladder infection2%
- Hot flashes2%
- Stress2%
4possible side effects
- Unusual vaginal bleeding9%
- Common cold9%
- Breast pain8%
- Lung infection4%
Risks and risk factors
- Uterine cancer
- Using estrogen for more than one year
- Higher dose of estrogen
- Breast cancer
- Personal or family history of breast cancer
- Using estrogen and progestin for more than one year
- Blood clots and stroke
- Personal or family history of blood clots
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- Age 50 or older
- Dementia
- Age 65 or older
- Inflammation of pancreas (pancreatitis)
- High levels of triglycerides
- Endometrial cancer
- Using estrogen for more than one year
- Breast cancer
- Personal or family history of breast cancer
- Using estrogen for more than one year
- Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
- Personal or family history of blood clots
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- Age 50 or older
- Dementia
- Age 65 or older
- Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
- High levels of triglycerides