Estrogens are used to treat symptoms of menopause and prevent osteoporosis. Certain estrogens can also be used to manage certain types of breast or prostate cancer. Estrogens work for menopause symptoms by boosting estrogen levels in your body which naturally drop during menopause. This helps to relieve symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. These medications come in different forms, including oral pills, patches, gels, and injections. Estradiol is a commonly prescribed estrogen medication. Examples include estradiol patches (Vivelle-Dot, Climara), estradiol vaginal tablets (Vagifem, Yuvafem), estradiol vaginal creams (Estrace), estradiol vaginal rings (Estring, Femring). You can discuss with your healthcare team which option might be right for you.
