---
title: "Topical Estrogen If Systemic Hormone Therapy Isn’t an Option"
description: "Learn who may use topical estrogen when systemic hormone therapy isn’t an option, including vaginal estrogen for symptoms and estriol for skin."
url: "https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/topical-estrogen-if-systemic-hormone-therapy-isn-t-an-option"
---

# Topical Estrogen If Systemic Hormone Therapy Isn’t an Option

> Learn who may use topical estrogen when systemic hormone therapy isn’t an option, including vaginal estrogen for symptoms and estriol for skin.

## Who might consider topical estrogen if they cannot use systemic hormone therapy?

If someone can’t use systemic hormone therapy like pills, patches, or gels, topical estrogen can be a really helpful option depending on what they’re trying to treat.

Here at Alloy, we think about topical estrogen in two categories: vaginal estrogen for genitourinary symptoms, and estriol creams for skin. Both work locally rather than circulating through the bloodstream.

For vaginal estrogen, Dr. Sharon Malone is very clear that everyone can use it, regardless of age. And even women who cannot use systemic estrogen, including many breast cancer survivors, are still good candidates for low dose vaginal estrogen because it stays local and doesn’t raise overall estrogen levels. It can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with dryness, painful sex, urinary urgency, or recurrent UTIs.

For skin, Dr. Corinne Menn explains that topical estriol, like what we use in our M4 skincare, is also safe for most people, even when systemic hormones aren’t an option. It doesn’t raise systemic estrogen levels, and it’s far weaker than estradiol. This makes it a good option for women who want the skin benefits of estrogen but can’t or don’t want to take hormones systemically.

If you’d like to hear Dr. Menn talk about who can safely use topical estrogen, she covers this directly in our YouTube webinar. You can watch that part here:[Who can use topical estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW48U6HSkcc&t=1224s).


[Watch video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW48U6HSkcc&t=1224s)

If you’re curious about product options, you can take a look at our estriol-based M4 skincare line or our estradiol vaginal cream on the Alloy site.

[Find Your Plan](https://secure.myalloy.com/experience)

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This answer was created using the following resources:

- [Skin Deep with Dr. Menn: Let's Talk Skincare & Estrogen | Dr. Corinne Menn - Who Can Use Topical Estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW48U6HSkcc)
- [Why Your Skin Changes During Midlife and What to Do About It - Hormone Therapy and Topical Estrogens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeElXm4cMO0)
- [How Vaginal Estrogen Supports Your Pelvic Floor - Benefits of Topical Estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhbWMa318lA)
- [Pelvic Power:What Every Woman Should Know | Dr. Sara Reardon - Safety and Alternatives for Topical Estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jihMIubXXfc)
- [When’s the Best Time to Start Hormone Therapy? | Dr. Sharon Malone - Systemic vs. Topical Estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHrdy2O3Wh0)
- [A New Approach to Aging with Alloy - Topical Estrogen Safety](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voedsMd4Zsc)
- [Catching Up with Dr. Sharon Malone | Alloy](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/your-menopause-questions-answered-with-dr-sharon-malone)
- [Topical Estrogen: Tips from Dr. Ellen Gendler](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/why-topical-estrogen-should-be-part-of-your-skincare)
- [HRT After Breast Cancer | When Can I Start? Guidelines - Alloy](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/when-is-it-reasonable-to-consider-starting-hrt-after-breast-cancer)
- [Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: Your Comprehensive Guide](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy-insiders-guide)
- [What Can You Do About Frequent UTIs During Menopause?](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/frequent-utis-and-menopause-what-can-you-do)
- [The Science Behind Putting Estrogen On Your Face](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/the-science-behind-putting-estrogen-on-your-face)

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