Vaginal discomfort after menopause? (Let's learn about Conjugated Estrogens Vaginal Cream)!

Do you also experience some vaginal discomfort after menopause? Sometimes the vagina may feel dry, itchy, or painful during sex. These are really common conditions for many women. So, today we are going to talk about a cream that can help with such discomfort.

What kind of medicine is this? (What is this medication?)

Simply put, the name of this medicine is ' Conjugated Estrogens'. It comes in the form of a cream to be applied to the vagina. Did you know that the hormone ' Estrogen' that is naturally produced in our body decreases with menopause. It is when the level of Estrogen decreases that the aforementioned discomforts occur, that is, the vagina becomes dry, red, itchy, or feels painful during sex. So what this cream does is to provide the hormone Estrogen to the area around your vagina and reduce those discomforts. This is a medicine that belongs to the estrogen hormone group. You may know it by the brand name `Premarin`.

This medicine can be used for other things as well, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I tell the doctor before using this medicine?

This is a very important point. Before you start using this cream, there are some things you should tell your doctor (care team). Because this medicine may not be suitable for everyone. See if these things apply to you:

• If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding (meaning bleeding that is not like a period, but is of a different nature, for no reason).
• If you have had blood clots in your blood vessels in the past, or if you have a blood vessel disease.
• If you have, or have ever had , breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer .
• If you have a memory-related disease like dementia .
• If you have diabetes mellitus .
• If you have gallbladder disease .
• If you have heart disease or have recently had a heart attack .
• If you have high blood pressure .
• If you have high blood cholesterol levels .
• If you have high levels of calcium in your blood.
• If you have had a hysterectomy .
• If you have kidney disease .
• If you have liver disease .
• If you have frequent migraine headaches .
• If you have conditions that affect blood clotting, such as Protein C deficiency or Protein S deficiency .
• If you have had a previous stroke .
• If you have an immune system disease such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) .
• If you are a smoker (this is very important).
• If you have an allergic reaction to estrogen hormones, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are breastfeeding .

If any of these apply to you, you should definitely tell your doctor . He or she can then decide if this medication is right for you, or if another treatment might be better.

How should I use this medicine?

This is also very important. If you don't use it properly, you won't get the expected results, and you may even experience side effects.

• This cream is only to be applied to the vagina. Do not take it by mouth for any reason.
• Use it exactly as the doctor prescribed. Usually, you should use it before going to bed at night , because the cream will stay in your skin longer. But if your doctor tells you to use it at a different time, do so.
• This cream comes with a special applicator . That's what you need to apply the cream with.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after using the cream.
• Fill the applicator with the appropriate amount of cream and remove it from the tube.
• Then, lie down on the bed, bend your knees, and spread your legs a little. Carefully insert the applicator into your vagina and push the plunger in to apply the cream.
• Wash the used applicator thoroughly with hot soapy water, rinse with water, and let it dry .
• The doctor told you to take this medicine for the entire duration that you were told to take . Do not stop taking it. If you need to stop, do so only on the doctor's advice.

Important: When you are prescribed this medicine, you will also receive a patient information leaflet (patient package insert). You will receive this with every prescription and each time you get a refill. Read this leaflet carefully each time you get a refill, as the information in this leaflet may change.

Talk to your doctor about giving this medicine to children . Special care may be needed.

What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately .

Please note: This medicine is for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else .

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose. Never take double or extra doses.

What other things may interact with this medication?

This is also very important. Other medications you take may interact with this cream and reduce or increase the effects of the cream, or cause new side effects.

Do not use this cream with the following medications:

• Aromatase inhibitors - for example, drugs such as aminoglutethimide, anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, and testolactone.

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• Barbiturates or anticonvulsants
• Carbamazepine
• Certain antibiotics for certain infections
• Grapefruit juice
• Medicines for fungal infections - such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
• Raloxifene or tamoxifen
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Ritonavir
• St. John's Wort (this is an herb)
• Warfarin (a blood thinner)

This list may not be complete. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamins, dietary supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with this medicine.

What are the things to be careful about when using this medicine?

You need to be a little more careful about your health while using this medicine.

• See your doctor for regular checkups . You will need to have a breast exam and a pelvic exam at regular intervals. Also, talk to your doctor about whether and when you should have a mammogram , and follow his or her instructions.
• This medicine may cause your body to retain more water, causing swelling in your fingers, hands, and ankles . Your blood pressure may also increase . Tell your doctor if you experience this.
• If for any reason you think you are pregnant, stop using this medicine immediately and tell your doctor .
• Smoking increases your risk of developing a blood clot or stroke , especially if you are over 35. Therefore, it is best to not smoke .
• If you wear contact lenses, tell your doctor if you notice a change in your vision or if you feel discomfort while wearing your lenses.
• If you are having elective surgery , you may need to stop taking this medicine before it happens. Talk to your doctor about this before scheduling your surgery.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine? (Side Effects)

Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious, and if you experience them, you should tell your doctor right away.

Side effects that you should tell your doctor immediately:

• Allergic reactions or angioedema : Skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. If this happens, don't delay.
• Blood clot : Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. This is very dangerous, because if this blood clot gets stuck, it can be a big problem.
• Changes in breast tissue : new lumps, redness, pain, or discharge from the nipple.
• Gallbladder problems : Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever.
• Heart attack : Pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, difficulty breathing, cold or clammy skin, fainting, or dizziness.
• Heavy vaginal bleeding .
• Increase in blood pressure .
• Stroke : Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, loss of balance, dizziness, severe headache, or changes in vision. Imagine suddenly having difficulty speaking, which could be a sign of a stroke.
• Sudden eye pain or vision changes : blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, loss of vision.
• Unusual vaginal discharge , itching, or odor.

If you experience something like this, don't panic, don't delay, and see a doctor immediately .

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:

• Bloating
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Dark patches of skin on the face or other areas exposed to the sun
• Hair loss
• Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

Not all side effects on this list may occur. If you notice anything else unusual, ask your doctor about it.

How should I store this medicine?

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Throw away expired medicine without using it.

Remember, this leaflet is only a summary. It may not contain all the information. If you have any further questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Final Take-Home Message

Okay, so now you have a good understanding of what we've been talking about (Conjugated Estrogens Vaginal Cream). Let's recap the most important things:

• This cream is for vaginal application only . Use it exactly as your doctor tells you, for the duration of the treatment.
• If you have any other medical conditions or are taking any other medications, tell your doctor about all of these before using the medicine .
• If you experience any serious side effects , inform your doctor immediately .
• Don't forget to have regular check-ups at regular intervals.
• This medicine is for you only, do not share it with anyone else .
• If you smoke, quitting is very good for your health , especially when taking hormone therapy like this.

If you have any doubts or questions, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. Then you can follow this treatment correctly and stay healthy.

` Estrogen, vagina, menopause, hormone therapy, cream, side effects, women's health