Skip to main content

Compare
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

 

Get free coupons

Femring

(estradiol)

Get free coupons

Summary for Premarin

Prescription only

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) is an oral estrogen hormone tablet that's used to treat various conditions in adults. Most commonly, it relieves menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes. The medication is also used for treating low estrogen levels, certain advanced stages of breast or prostate cancers, and osteoporosis after menopause. Depending on what you're using it for, the medication can be taken daily or in cycles. Side effects include headache, stomach pain, nausea, and breast pain.

Indications for Premarin

Pros and Cons for Premarin

Pros

  • Relieves multiple menopausal symptoms
  • Available in multiple strengths, allowing you to customize your dose
  • Comes as a tablet that you take by mouth

Cons

  • Raises your risk of certain cancers, blood clots, and strokes
  • Some people might need to take it with another hormone called progestin
  • Not a first-choice medication for treating bone loss after menopause

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

  • Uterine (endometrial) cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Blood clots and stroke
  • Heart disease and heart attacks
  • Dementia
  • Gallbladder and liver problems
  • Vision problems
  • High triglycerides
  • Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
  • Fluid Retention
  • Changes in calcium levels in the blood
  • Worsening of 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
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Femring1 ring / 0.05mg
$873.71-
Get free coupons
More Information

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.