EstroGel estradiol gel for estrogen therapy
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While most women experience menopause, the symptoms and the age at which it begins may vary. On average, you may notice your period becoming irregular around the age of 40. When the menstrual cycle stops, menopause begins. This is when the ovaries quit releasing eggs and making hormones, such as estrogen. This transition will trigger a series of events, but before we discuss the symptoms, it may help to learn the stages of menopause. There are 3 stages of menopause that represent the time before, during, and after menopause.

Perimenopause (or premenopause)
Some symptoms of menopause may begin to appear 3 to 5 years before your final period. This stage is called perimenopause. In this stage, your period may last longer, the flow may fluctuate, and the frequency may change. You may also notice symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats. These changes are brought on by changing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are made in the ovaries. Think of perimenopause as the slow transition the female reproductive system goes through to slow down and stop producing eggs.

Menopause
The event that marks menopause is the final period. You’ve “gone through menopause” when you have not had a period for 1 year. For a few years, the decreased level of hormones may continue to cause menopause symptoms.

Postmenopause
Postmenopause occurs 1 year after the last period. In this stage, your menopause symptoms will begin to taper off. You will no longer experience periods and can no longer become pregnant.
 

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EstroGel (AN ESTROGEN HORMONE)?

Estrogens increase the chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using EstroGel. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find the cause.

Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chance of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots.

Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women age 65 or older.

Do not start using EstroGel if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke or heart attack in the past year, currently have or have had blood clots, currently have or have had liver problems, are allergic to EstroGel or any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

Common side effects of estrogens include headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fluid retention, and vaginal yeast infection.

You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with EstroGel.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full patient information (PDF) and boxed warning.

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EstroGel® is a registered trademark of LaSalle Laboratories, Inc. ©2009 ASCEND Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 
     
   
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