Ovestin Tablets (Oestriol 2mg)

Ovestin general Information

What is Ovestin used for?

Ovestin tablets 2mg are a short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat atrophic vaginitis (also called vaginal atrophy) which is a common vaginal symptom of the menopause, caused by a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries.  Atrophic vaginitis, caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Ovestin tablets 2mg help restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.  Ovestin tablets are also used before and after vaginal surgery in postmenopausal women; also for treatment of infertility due to cervical hostility, to improve secretions in the cervix. 

How does Ovestin work?

Ovestin tablets 2mg contain oestriol a naturally occurring oestrogen with short acting weak hormonal action, making it particularly suitable for treatment of urogenital symptoms of menopausal like atrophic vaginitis, caused by lack of oestrogen.  Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing female secondary sexual characteristics, including thickening of the vaginal wall and increasing vaginal secretion.  The oestriol in Ovestin tablets 2mg acts on several oestrogen-responsive cells, including the vaginal skin layer and reverses changes in the vagina by stimulating thickening of the skin, increasing vaginal secretion, reducing inflammation and restoring the physiological pH and normal microflora, (the “good” bacteria that normally live in the skin and increases resistance to infection with other bacteria that cause vaginal or urinary infections).  The restoring effect of Ovestin tablets 2mg reduces symptoms of atrophic vaginitis which can be maintained with continued use. 

What does Ovestin contain?

Ovestin tablets contain the active ingredient oestriol 2mg, which is the weakest of the three natural forms of oestrogen, is short acting and normally present in small amounts.  Oestriol is used to treat urogenital symptoms of menopausal like atrophic vaginitis.  They also contain potato starch, povidone, silica colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate

Treating symptoms of menopause with Ovestin

Ovestin tablets 2mg contain oestriol a naturally occurring oestrogen for short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used for urogenital symptoms of menopause caused by lack of oestrogen.  Atrophic vaginitis is a common vaginal symptom of the menopause caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer and leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Ovestin tablets help to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

Ovestin for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Ovestin tablets 2mg are a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treatment of atrophic vaginitis, caused by lack of oestrogen in menopausal women.  Ovestin tablets contains oestriol a naturally occurring oestrogen used for short-term treatment of atrophic vaginitis, a common vaginal symptom of the menopause caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer and leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Ovestin tablets 2mg help restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

What are the side effects of Ovestin?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Ovestin tablets 2mg are breast tenderness and breast pain.  More severe but less common side effects include blood clots in the veins which can result in thromboembolism.

What are the health risks of Ovestin Tablets?

Long-term HRT with Ovestin Tablets 2mg does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.  Oestriol has weaker oestrogen action than other forms of oestrogen (oestradiol and oestrone) and has reduced risk for endometrial cancer, therefore use of a progesterone is not necessary to reduce risk of endometrial cancer.

When should Ovestin not be used?

You should not use Ovestin tablets 2mg if you:

• are allergic to oestriol or any ingredients in Ovestin
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen use
• abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• have porphyria, a condition which affect the skin or nervous system
• are taking other medications that may interact with Ovestin tablets, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz or preparations containing St John's Wort, corticosteroids, succinylcholine a muscle relaxant, theophylline for asthma.

How should Ovestin be taken?

You should take your Ovestin tablets 2mg with a glass of water, once daily with or without food.  The dose you take depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, usually 2-4 tablets per day for the first week, then reduced to a maintenance dose of 1-2 tablets daily in the following 1-3 weeks, depending on relief of symptoms and your doctor’s recommendation.  Ovestin tablets 2mg are intended for short-term use and you should continue to take Ovestin 2 your until symptoms improve or for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Ovestin?

Ovestin tablets 2mg are intended for short-term use and you should continue to take Ovestin 2 your until symptoms improve or for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Ovestin

If you miss a dose of Ovestin Tablets 2mg take it as soon as you remember; if less than 12 hours overdue; if it is more than 12 hours overdue and time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Ovestin be stored?

You should store your Ovestin below 25°C in a cool dry place, keep away from direct sunlight and do not refrigerate.