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Oestrogen Deficiency Medications

Oestrogen deficiency, also called hypo-oestrogenism, is a low level of the hormone oestrogen, most often around the menopause but also from removed ovaries or premature ovarian insufficiency. It can cause hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular or absent periods, mood changes and, over time, thinning bones.

Key points

  • Low oestrogen can bring on hot flushes and night sweats, alongside vaginal dryness, mood changes and a gradual loss of bone density.
  • Hormone replacement therapy restores the missing oestrogen using tablets, skin patches, gels or vaginal products, alongside a progestogen for women who still have a womb.
  • A low-dose vaginal oestrogen tablet can now be obtained through a pharmacist consultation without a doctor’s prescription, unlike other oestrogen treatments, which stay prescription-only.

Medicines used to treat Oestrogen Deficiency

Estrace

Estradiol

1 · 2mg

Developed to target symptoms of menopause and oestrogen deficiency, indicated to support hormonal balance and alleviate vasomotor instability.

Premarin®

Conjugated Oestrogens

0.625mg

Indicated to manage menopausal symptoms, formulated to alleviate hormonal fluctuations and support bone and systemic health in postmenopausal women.

How it’s treated

Treatment replaces the missing hormone with oestrogen, usually estradiol, as tablets, patches, gels, sprays or vaginal preparations (conjugated oestrogens are also used). This is hormone replacement therapy (HRT); women with a womb also take a progestogen to protect the womb lining. Vaginal oestrogen targets local dryness. Non-hormonal options exist for women who cannot take oestrogen.

UK status

HRT and oestrogen products are prescription-only (POM), though a low-dose vaginal oestrogen tablet (Gina) is now available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms after a pharmacist consultation.

Further reading