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Climara vs. Estring

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Climara (estradiol patch) and Estring (estradiol vaginal ring) are both estrogen replacement medications used to treat symptoms of menopause. They both help with vaginal dryness and irritation, but Climara is also used for hot flashes, night sweats, and preventing osteoporosis. Climara is a transdermal patch applied once a week, while Estring is a vaginal ring that stays in place for three months. Climara is available as a lower-cost generic, but Estring is only available as a brand-name medication. Common side effects of Climara include breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain, while Estring can cause headaches, vaginal discharge, and yeast infections. Both medications can increase the risk of blood clots, strokes, and certain cancers, and you should not use them if you have a history of these conditions. If you have a uterus, you may need to take a progestin with either medication to lower the risk of uterine cancer.

Climara

(estradiol patch)

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Estring

(estradiol)

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Summary for Climara

Prescription only

The Climara (estradiol patch) is a once-weekly hormonal patch that relieves menopause symptoms and treats low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) in people who have gone through menopause. The patch is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and typically has fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills. You'll apply one patch to the skin of your lower stomach or the upper buttocks once a week. Potential side effects of this hormone patch include breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain.

Indications for Climara

Pros and Cons for Climara

Pros

  • Relieves multiple menopause symptoms
  • Only need to apply once a week
  • Might have fewer side effects than oral estrogen pills
  • Available in different strengths, allowing you to customize your dose

Cons

  • Commonly causes breast pain, headaches, and stomach pain
  • Can cause skin irritation, redness, and itchiness at the patch site
  • Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
  • Might need to take it with another hormone called progestin if you have a healthy uterus

Common Side Effects for Climara

  • Breast pain (up to 29%)
  • Headache (up to 18%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 17%)
  • Stomach pain (up to 16%)
  • Swelling (up to 13%)
  • Back and body pain (up to 11%)
  • Depression (up to 8%)
  • Vaginal discharge (up to 7%)
  • Excessive gas (up to 7%)
  • Itching (up to 6%)
  • Nausea (up to 6%)

Warnings for Climara

  • Blood clots and related complications (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
  • Uterine (endometrial) cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Dementia
  • Gallbladder and liver problems
  • Vision problems
  • High triglycerides
  • Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
  • Fluid Retention
  • Worsening of other health conditions

Summary for Estring

Prescription only

Estring (estradiol) is an estrogen vaginal ring used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat moderate-to-severe menopause symptoms in and around the vagina, such as vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. The ring is inserted into the vagina and stays in place for 3 months, releasing a steady dose of estrogen directly where it's needed. Common side effects include headache, vaginal discharge, and vaginal yeast infections.

Indications for Estring

Pros and Cons for Estring

Pros

  • Can be inserted by you or a healthcare professional
  • Only needs to be changed every 3 months
  • Works directly at the site of application to relieve vaginal symptoms

Cons

Common Side Effects for Estring

  • Headache (13%)
  • Vaginal discharge (7%)
  • Vaginal yeast infection (6%)
  • Back pain (6%)
  • Vaginal inflammation (5%)
  • Vaginal discomfort or pain (5%)
  • Upper respiratory infection (5%)
  • Vaginal bleeding (4%)
  • Bacterial growth in the vagina (4%)
  • Arthritis (4%)
  • Trouble sleeping (4%)
  • Stomach pain (4%)
  • Sinus inflammation (4%)
  • Nausea (3%)
  • Flu-like symptoms (3%)
  • Joint pain (3%)

Warnings for Estring

  • Risk for blood clots and related complications
  • Risk for uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer)
  • Risk for breast cancer
  • Risk for ovarian cancer
  • Risk for dementia
  • Gallbladder or liver problems in certain people
  • High triglyceride (fat) levels
  • Changes in calcium levels in certain people
  • Low thyroid hormone levels
  • Buildup of fluids in your body (fluid retention)
  • Worsening of certain other health conditions
  • Vaginal irritation and infections

Prices with our coupons for Climara vs. Estring

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Estradiol4 patches / 0.0375mg/day
$19.39-
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Estring1 ring / 2mg
$249.00$683.01
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