Who can safely use vaginal estrogen?
Vaginal estrogen is considered safe for almost everyone experiencing symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, painful sex, or frequent UTIs due to menopause or perimenopause. Here at Alloy, we want to highlight a few key points about who can safely use vaginal estrogen:
- Vaginal estrogen is a local, low-dose treatment that is not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream. This means it does not carry the same risks as systemic (oral or patch) estrogen.
- It is safe to use at any age, whether you are 40, 50, or 80.
- It can be used alongside systemic hormone therapy (like pills or patches), birth control pills, or even if you are not a candidate for systemic estrogen due to a history of breast cancer or blood clots.
- Even breast cancer survivors, including those with estrogen receptor-positive cancers, can often safely use vaginal estrogen. Many experts and position statements from oncology and gynecology societies support its use in these cases, but it’s always best to inform your oncologist or gynecologist if you choose to use it.
If you want to learn more, check out our detailed product page for Estradiol Vaginal Cream, which includes information on who it’s for, how it works, and how to get started.
For a deeper dive into the safety and use of vaginal estrogen, watch the “Vaginal Estrogen: Safety and Use with Other Hormones” chapter from our YouTube webinar with Dr. Corinne Menn, where she explains why it’s safe for so many women, including those who can’t use systemic estrogen. You can watch that specific chapter here.
At Alloy, we’re passionate about making sure you have access to safe, effective options for your vaginal and sexual health!
This answer was created using the following resources:
- Estradiol Vaginal Cream
- Debunking Myths About Topical Estrogen | Dr. Ellen Gendler & Dr. Corinne Menn - Vaginal Estrogen: Safety and Efficacy
- Hormone Therapy 101 with Alloy’s Very Own Dr. Corinne Menn! - Vaginal Estrogen: Safety and Use with Other Hormones
- Catching Up With Dr. Corinne Menn | Alloy
- Catching Up with Dr. Darwana Ratleff-Todd | Alloy
- Optimizing Vaginal Health | Alloy
- Catching Up with Dr. Shenelle Wilson | Alloy
- Nonhormonal Menopause Treatments: Paroxetine
- 8 Common Menopause Myths Debunked