What is Estrace: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Estrace overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Estrace, Gynodiol, Prefest, Prefest, Estrace, Estring, Femring, Vagifem, Yuvafem, Yuvafem

Generic Names:

  • Estradiol

Uses:

  • Treats hot flashes, painful sexual intercourse, and other symptoms of menopause or low estrogen., Treats symptoms caused by menopause or removal of the ovaries, and treats prostate or breast cancer. Also prevents osteoporosis.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Hormonal Contraceptive, Musculoskeletal Agent, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Female Reproductive Agent

Forms:

  • Cream, Insert, Suppository, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, Into the vagina

What is Estrace used for?

Estradiol is an estrogen female sex hormone naturally produced in the body. As a medication, estradiol is used to treat symptoms of menopause and for osteoporosis prevention. Estradiol is a generic medication also available under the brand names Delestrogen, Evamist, Elestrin, Alora, EstroGel, Estrasorb, Vivelle, Divigel, Climara, Innofem, Estrace, Estraderm, and Menostar. In the treatment of menopausal symptoms, estradiol use is common.

What form(s) does Estrace come in

  • Cream

  • Insert

  • Suppository

  • Tablet

What are common Estrace doses?

  • Tablet 0.5MG

  • Tablet 1MG

  • Tablet 2MG

  • Tube 42.5GM of 0.1MG/GM

Common Estrace prescriptions

  • Estrace
    0.5mg tablet

  • Estrace
    1mg tablet

  • Estrace
    2mg tablet

  • Estrace
    42.5gm of 0.1mg/gm tube of cream

How to take Estrace

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Vaginal cream: Measure the cream using the marks on the plastic applicator. Make sure you use the correct mark for your specific dose.

  • Vaginal ring: Once the ring is in place, you should not be able to feel it. If you feel uncomfortable, the ring may not be inserted far enough. Gently push the ring farther into your vagina. If you feel pain, talk to your doctor.The ring may move down accidently. This can happen if you strain to have a bowel movement. Gently push the ring back into place. If the ring comes all the way out, rinse it with warm water and put it back in. Call your doctor if the ring comes out several times.Remove the ring after 90 days and insert a new one as needed.Do not flush a used vaginal ring down the toilet. Wrap it with tissue or toilet pair and throw it in the trash.

  • Store the unopened packages of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Vaginal insert: The insert should be used only in your vagina. Do not swallow the insert.It is best to use this medicine at the same time each day.Imvexxy„¢: Push an insert through the foil of the blister package and hold it with the larger end between your fingers. You may choose to put the insert into your vagina using the lying down or standing up position. Put the insert about 2 inches into your vagina, with the smaller end up, using your finger.Vagifem®: Do not take the insert out of the applicator. If the insert comes out of the applicator when you open it, carefully put it back in. If the insert falls out of the applicator when you try to insert it, throw it away and use a new applicator and insert.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Vaginal insert: The insert should be used only in your vagina. Do not swallow the insert.It is best to use this medicine at the same time each day.Imvexxy„¢: Push an insert through the foil of the blister package and hold it with the larger end between your fingers. You may choose to put the insert into your vagina using the lying down or standing up position. Put the insert about 2 inches into your vagina, with the smaller end up, using your finger.Vagifem®: Do not take the insert out of the applicator. If the insert comes out of the applicator when you open it, carefully put it back in. If the insert falls out of the applicator when you try to insert it, throw it away and use a new applicator and insert.

  • Vaginal ring: Once the ring is in place, you should not be able to feel it. If you feel uncomfortable, the ring may not be inserted far enough. Gently push the ring farther into your vagina. If you feel pain, talk to your doctor.The ring may move down accidently. This can happen if you strain to have a bowel movement. Gently push the ring back into place. If the ring comes all the way out, rinse it with warm water and put it back in. Call your doctor if the ring comes out several times.Remove the ring after 90 days and insert a new one as needed.Do not flush a used vaginal ring down the toilet. Wrap it with tissue or toilet pair and throw it in the trash.

  • Vaginal cream: Measure the cream using the marks on the plastic applicator. Make sure you use the correct mark for your specific dose.

  • Store the unopened packages of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Estrace

  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Estrace contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to estrogen medicines, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have had a blood clot, or if you have vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor. You should not use this medicine if you have had cancer of the uterus, or in certain cases of breast cancer.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to estradiol, or if you are pregnant, or have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by your doctor. Do not use it if you have liver disease, breast or uterine cancer, problems with blood clots, or had a heart attack or stroke.

Estrace warnings

  • Although it is unlikely that a postmenopausal woman might become pregnant, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have gallbladder disease, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), liver disease, asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, kidney disease, high cholesterol, or blood clots.

  • Taking large doses of estrogens over a long period of time may increase your risk of some kinds of cancer. If you have questions about this risk, talk with your doctor.

  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine (usually every 6 to 12 months). Be sure to keep all appointments.

  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause

  • Pregnancy after menopause is not likely, but if you think you could be pregnant, tell your doctor. This medicine could harm an unborn baby.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, edema, endometriosis, epilepsy, migraine headaches, porphyria, lupus, thyroid problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hereditary angioedema, bone problems, or a history of cancer. Tell your doctor if you had liver problems caused by pregnancy or estrogen. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with your vagina or in your pelvic area, including prolapse. Tell your doctor if you are having a surgery that requires inactivity for a long time.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clotsIncreased risk of endometrial, breast, ovarian, or uterine cancerPossible risk of dementia (especially in women 65 years of age or older)Gallbladder diseaseEye or vision problemsHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterol or fats in the blood

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, discharge, or itching

  • Vision changes

Estrace interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how estradiol works. Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, phenobarbital, rifampin, ritonavir, St John's wort, or thyroid medicines.

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • Ask your doctor before you use other products or medicines in your vagina. You may need to remove the ring first.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results. You may need to stop using this medicine before surgery or if you need to be on bed rest.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner (Coumadin®).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have gallbladder disease, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), liver disease, asthma, epilepsy, migraine headaches, kidney disease, high cholesterol, or blood clots.

  • Taking large doses of estrogens over a long period of time may increase your risk of some kinds of cancer. If you have questions about this risk, talk with your doctor.

  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine (usually every 6 to 12 months). Be sure to keep all appointments.

  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Estrace side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with speech or walking

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Fever, diarrhea, muscle pain, dizziness, fainting

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

  • Vision changes

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Breast lumps or tenderness

  • Chest pain that may spread, coughing up blood, trouble breathing

  • Redness, pain, burning, or itching in or near your vagina

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, discharge, or itching

  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Shortness of breath, coughing up blood

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Lumps in breast (women and men)

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, pain in your chest or leg (calf)

  • Severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Vaginal itching or discharge

  • Swollen and tender breasts (women and men)

  • Changes in hair growth

  • Changes in your vision

  • Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloated feeling

  • Swollen or tender breasts

  • Mild nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or bloating

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