Estrodiol gel, brand name EstroGel, is a 1.25 gram prescription of topical estrogen. It is low dose and given to reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It is approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration as a bio-identical estrogen therapy. It is the top prescribed estrogen in Europe and the number one transdermal estrogen in Canada. The gel is put on one arm, once a day. One pump of the applicator is the typically dosage and then smeared from wrist to elbow. It doesn't have to be rubbed in to be effective.
Cardiovascular Risks
There is a risk of heart palpitations while on estradiol gel. These can lead to stroke or heart attack and the Food and Drug Administration requires a warning, called a "black-box warning," on this type of product. This is a very severe risk factor and one that anyone considering hormone replacement therapy should weigh considerably before making a decision on their menopause treatment. In a study of estrogen the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) showed a risk of stroke. The study participants were 50- to 79-year-old women, postmenopausal, and were on estrogen an average of 6.8 years.
Nervous System Effects
Nervous system side effects include depression, nervousness and anxiety. Feelings of nervousness and anxiety may be temporary, and if moderate to severe depression is felt a mental health professional may need to be seen. According to RxList, 3 percent of users reported depression, 2.4 percent reported nervousness and 1.8 percent reported anxiety while taking estradiol gel.
Urinary/Genital Risks
Breast pain, vaginitis, suspicious pap smear results, vaginal hemorrhage, metrorrhagia (bleeding in between periods) and endometrial disorders are potential side effects of estradiol gel. Suspicious pap smear results can be from inflammation or abnormal epithelial cells found. RxList showed 12.5 percent of patients reported breast pain, 5.4 percent showed suspicious pap smears and 3 percent reported metrorrhagia.
Respiratory Side Effects
Side effects dealing with respiration include sinusitis (sinus infection and inflammation) and rhinitis (runny nose). RxList reported 3.6 percent of patients developed sinusitis while 2.4 percent developed rhinitis. These were typically mild cases and were easily treated.
General Side Effects
Other side effects include headache, generalized pain, infection, back pain, flu-like symptoms, asthenia (weakness or lack of energy) and abdominal pain. Infections reported typically were eye infections, colds, and upper respiratory infections. According to eMedTV, clinical studies show the majority of side effects were headaches and infections.
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