Ovestin Cream 0.1% (Aspen)

Ovestin Cream general information

What is Ovestin Cream used for?

Ovestin cream 0.1% is 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 cream provides a topical oestrogen treatment which helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections. Ovestin cream is also used before and after vaginal surgery in postmenopausal women.

How does Ovestin Cream work?

Ovestin cream contains oestriol a naturally occurring oestrogen which unlike other forms of oestrogen is short acting making it particularly suitable as a topical treatment for urogenital symptoms of menopausal 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 secondary sexual characteristics, including thickening of the vaginal wall and increasing vaginal secretion. When Ovestin cream is inserted into the vagina, oestriol is slowly released and absorbed into the vaginal skin layer where it reverses changes in the vagina by stimulating thickening of the skin, 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 cream reduces symptoms of atrophic vaginitis which can be maintained with continued use.

What does Ovestin Cream contain?

Ovestin cream 0.1% contains the active ingredient oestriol, 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 atrophic vaginitis. One application contains 0.5g Ovestin cream which corresponds to 0.5mg oestriol. It also contains octyldodecanol, cetyl palmitate, glycerne, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, lactic acid, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

Treating symptoms of menopause with Ovestin Cream

Ovestin cream 0.1% contains oestriol a naturally occurring oestrogen for short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used for urogenital symptoms of menopausal 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 cream provides a topical oestrogen treatment which helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

Ovestin Cream for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Ovestin cream 0.1% is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treatment of atrophic vaginitis, caused by lack of oestrogen in menopausal women. Ovestin cream 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 cream helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

What are the side effects of Ovestin Cream?

The most frequently reported side effects when using Ovestin cream 0.1% are local irritation or itching, 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 Cream?

Long-term HRT with Ovestin Cream 0.1% 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 for reducing risk of endometrial cancer.

When should Ovestin Cream not be used?

You should not use Ovestin Cream if you:

• are allergic to oestriol or any ingredients in Ovestin cream
• 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 cream, 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 Cream be used?

Ovestin cream 0.1% is intended for topical use only and should be inserted into your vagina, using the applicator provided. You should use Ovestin cream for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually once a day, before going to bed, for the first week, then once or twice a week or once every two weeks, as instructed.

How long should you take Ovestin Cream?

Ovestin cream is intended for short-term use until symptoms of atrophic vaginitis improve. You should use Ovestin cream for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Ovestin Cream

If you miss a dose of Ovestin Cream 0.1% take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Ovestin Cream be stored?

Store your Ovestin cream 0.1% below 25°C, keep away from direct sunlight and do not refrigerate.