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Premarin vs. Femring

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

Key takeaways

Premarin vaginal cream (conjugated estrogens) and Femring (estradiol acetate) vaginal ring are both estrogen replacement therapies used to treat symptoms of menopause, but they have some key differences. Premarin vaginal cream is applied directly into the vagina and is primarily used to treat vaginal dryness and pain during sex. It can be messy to apply and is applied in cycles or twice a week. On the other hand, Femring is a vaginal ring that treats vaginal dryness and helps with hot flashes and night sweats. You only need to insert Femring once every three months, making it more convenient. However, Femring is absorbed into your bloodstream, which can raise your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes. Both medications are brand-name only, but Femring might be more expensive. While both treatments have similar risks, Femring offers broader symptom relief compared to Premarin vaginal cream.

Premarin tablet

 

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Femring

(estradiol)

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Summary for Premarin

Prescription only

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) oral tablet is an estrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and other conditions caused by low estrogen levels. It can also help prevent osteoporosis after menopause and treat certain advanced breast or prostate cancers. Depending on why you're taking it, you might take it by mouth every day or in cycles. Common side effects include headache, stomach pain, nausea, and breast pain.

Indications for Premarin

Pros and Cons for Premarin

Pros

  • Relieves multiple menopause symptoms
  • Available in multiple strengths
  • Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth

Cons

  • Raises your risk of blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers
  • Some people might need to take it with another hormone called progestin
  • Can cause vaginal bleeding and spotting

Common Side Effects for Premarin

  • Headache (13-14%)
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding (2-13%)
  • Breast pain (7-12%)
  • Stomach pain (8-11%)
  • Passing gas (4-6%)
  • Vaginal discharge (4-5%)
  • Back pain (3-5%)
  • General pain (3-5%)
  • Nausea (3-5%)
  • Insomnia (3-5%)
  • Depression (3-5%)
  • Weakness (2-5%)

Warnings for Premarin

  • Blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes
  • Uterine (endometrial) cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Dementia
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Liver or gallbladder problems
  • Changes in calcium levels in the blood
  • Vision problems
  • High triglycerides (fat) levels
  • Low thyroid hormone levels
  • Buildup of fluids in your body (fluid retention)
  • Worsening of certain other health conditions

Summary for Femring

Prescription only

Femring (estradiol) is a type of estrogen replacement that comes as a vaginal ring. This hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The usual dosage is to insert 1 ring into the vagina every 3 months. Common side effects include vaginal bleeding and breast tenderness.

Indications for Femring

  • Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats
  • Moderate-to-severe vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation caused by menopause

Pros and Cons for Femring

Pros

  • Relieves both vaginal symptoms and hot flashes due to menopause
  • Might be more comfortable and easier to use than vaginal creams
  • Only need to change the ring every 3 months

Cons

Common Side Effects for Femring

Warnings for Femring

  • 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
  • Risks related to vaginal use

Prices with our coupons for Premarin vs. Femring

Price Card Drug Icon
Premarin Vaginal Cream1 tube / 30g of 0.625mg/g
$236.65$570.98
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Price Card Drug Icon
Femring1 ring / 0.05mg
$873.71$1,078.27
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