Estrogen is a hormone preparation used to overcome the lack of the hormone estrogen in the body. Estrogen preparations are usually used for hormone replacement therapy (hormone replacement therapy/HRT) and can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
Estrogen preparations work by increasing estrogen levels in the body, so that they can overcome various conditions caused by decreased estrogen levels, for example due to menopause.
In general, estrogen can be used to:
- Relieve menopausal symptoms, such as feeling hot or hot (hot flashes), easy to sweat, and vaginal dry
- Treat thinning of the vaginal lining (vulvar atrophy)
- Overcoming problems with the ovaries
- Preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Helps treat prostate cancer in men
There are no studies that show that the use of estrogen can keep patients young or prevent wrinkles.
Estrogen trademark: Esthero
What is Estrogen?
| group | Estrogen replacement |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Overcoming menopausal symptoms, including reducing the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis, genital skin disorders, and prostate cancer in men |
| Used by | Mature |
| Estrogen for pregnant and lactating women | Category X: Studies in experimental animals and humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities or a risk to the fetus. Drugs in this category are contraindicated in women who are or have the possibility of becoming pregnant. Estrogens can be absorbed into breast milk, should not be used during breastfeeding. |
| Drug form | Oral, injection, and vaginal cream |
Warning Before Using Estrogen:
- Do not use estrogen if you have a history of allergy to this drug.
- Do not use estrogen in children who have not gone through puberty.
- Do not smoke while taking estrogen because it can increase the risk of blood clotting disorders, hypertension, stroke, and heart attack.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, uterine cancer and tumors, bone cancer, blood clotting disorders, high cholesterol, hypertension, stroke, and heart problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, mental disorders, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or seizures, hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia, lupus, hypothyroidism, headaches, and migraines.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. This medicine should not be used while you have any of these conditions.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking estrogen before you have surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking estrogen before having certain procedures, such as a thyroid function test or blood sugar level. The use of this drug may give incorrect results on the test.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and vitamins, to avoid the effects of drug interactions.
- While using estrogen, you are advised to have regular check-ups with your doctor so that your condition can be monitored.
- If an allergic reaction occurs to a drug and an overdose after taking estrogen, see a doctor immediately.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Estrogen
The dose of estrogen is determined based on the patient's condition and the dosage form of the drug. Here are the estrogen dosages based on their intended use:
Oral
- Nervous disorders due to menopause: 0.3 mg/day
- Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis: 0.3 mg/day
- Hypogonadism in women: 0.3–0.625 mg/day
- Vaginal atrophy or vulvar atrophy due to menopause: 0.3 mg/day
- Infertility (infertility): 1.25 mg/day
Vaginal cream
- Vulvar craurosis (progressive atrophy of the vulva) due to menopause: 0.5 g/day
- Dyspareunia (pain during sex) due to menopause: 0.5 g, 2 times/week
For injectable estrogen drugs, the dose will be determined by the doctor at the hospital. Injectable drugs should only be given by a doctor or by a medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
How to Use Estrogen Correctly
Use estrogen according to the doctor's advice or instructions for use of the drug. Do not increase the dose and do not use the drug for longer than the recommended time.
Estrogen can be taken with or without food. However, to prevent stomach upset, this drug can be taken with food or after meals.
It is recommended to take estrogen at the same time every day, so that the effect of the drug is maximized and the risk of side effects is lower.
If you accidentally miss your medication schedule, take your medication immediately if the break with the next schedule isn't too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store estrogen in a closed place at room temperature and do not freeze. Keep away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight, and keep out of reach of children.
Interactions with Drugs and Other Ingredients
When used together with other drugs, estrogen can cause several interactions, namely:
- Decreased effectiveness of the drug when used together with phenytoin and rifampicin
- Increased risk of side effects when used with ritonavir and erythromycin
Side Effects and Dangers of Estrogen
Some of the side effects that can occur after using estrogen are:
- Pain in the breast (women and men)
- Enlarged breasts (women and men)
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloated
- Headache
- Drastic increase in weight
- Diarrhea
- Cramping and burning in the legs
- Depression
- Dizzy
- Hair loss
- Changes in sexual arousal
- Thickening of the uterine wall
Check with a doctor if the above complaints do not subside or even get worse, also if you experience drug allergy symptoms after taking estrogen, such as an itchy skin rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, eyes, or lips.