Estrogel
(Estradiol)
Relieves hot flashes and vaginal dryness due to menopause.
Our bottom line
Estrogel (Estradiol) is a topical gel that can relieve both vaginal dryness and hot flashes, but needs to be applied across the length your entire arm.
- Price before coupon$113.75
- Lowest price with coupon$35.0669% savings
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- The pump is easy to use and comes in two different bottle sizes.
- Good alternative if you don't want to take estrogen pills.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Estrogel, on one page
Download Fact Sheet
78Downsides
- Available as brand name product only so it may be expensive.
- Directions for application can be messy and hard to follow.
- You may unknowingly expose others to the medicine through skin contact.
- All estrogen replacement therapies are associated with serious side-effects like blood clots, uterine cancer, and breast cancer. You will need to thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting treatment.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Estrogel, on one page
Download Fact SheetEstrogel (Estradiol) is a synthetic hormone that acts like estrogen and restores lost functions during menopause.
- Drug class: Women's health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation
Dosage forms
- Gel
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Rite AidGet free coupon$36.21
- Get free discount
$38.20
What to expect when you take Estrogel (Estradiol) for Menopausal symptoms
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Gas
- Breast pain
- Skin irritation where applied
Side effect rates for Estrogel (Estradiol)
- Breast pain11%11%8%8%
- Headache10%10%3%3%
- Gas5%5%4%4%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Estrogel.
People taking Estrogel felt side effect more
People taking Estrogel felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Estrogel (Estradiol)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Using estrogen for more than one year
Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be a warning sign of uterine cancer, so let your doctor know if you notice any unusual bleeding. Using medicines like Estrogel (Estradiol) for more than a year can increase your risk. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you can take with Estrogel (Estradiol) to protect yourself from cancer if you are worried.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Estrogel (Estradiol)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Estrogelon 9/2/2017It's expensive, even with the discount card, it only took $35 off the price, so it's still $84 a month.36WomanTwo years or moreVaginal dryness and inflammation
- The gel is alcohol-based and flammable, so you shouldn't smoke while applying it.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Estrogelon 12/5/2016I sleep better since I apply the Estrogel in the morning.57WomanHot flashes and night sweats