Compare Estring vs. estradiol / norethindrone
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 menopause symptoms and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.
Activella (estradiol / norethindrone) helps relieve menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss. There can be many side effects, so it's important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and potential hassles of this drug before using it.
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.
- Replaces estrogen in your entire body and relieves multiple symptoms of menopause.
- Lowers your risk of fractures by keeping your bones healthy.
- Improves mood, energy, and mental alertness for some people.
- Generic available, so cost is usually lower.
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.
- More potential side effects since Activella (estradiol / norethindrone) exposes your whole body to two hormones.
- Raises your risk of developing a stroke and blood clots.
- You may get irregular bleeding and spotting that can last a few months to a year.
- Should only use if you still have a uterus.
Used for
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
- Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Dosage forms
- Vaginal ring
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$537.27
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$23.37
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Reviews
56 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
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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%
10possible side effects
- Breast pain21%
- Headache17%
- Nausea10%
- Upper airway infection10%
- Post-menopausal bleeding10%
- Sinus infection7%
- Ovarian cyst7%
- Back pain3%
- Difficulty sleeping3%
- Accidental injury3%
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 1 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
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Dementia
- Age 65 or older
- Pancreas swelling (pancreatitis)
- History of high triglycerides