Yeast Infections, Back Pain, and More: 4 Yuvafem Side Effects to Consider
Key takeaways:
Yuvafem (estradiol) is a vaginal estrogen tablet that can relieve the bothersome vaginal symptoms of menopause. It’s typically well tolerated with few side effects.
The most common Yuvafem side effects are vaginal itching and yeast infections. Back pain and diarrhea are also possible.
Yuvafem’s labeling lists several serious side effects, such as breast cancer and blood clots. But the risk of these side effects is very low. That’s because your body doesn’t absorb much of the medication. You should discuss your personal risks for these rare Yuvafem side effects with your prescriber.
Table of contents
If you’re experiencing certain menopause symptoms, your prescriber might recommend vaginal estrogen. This form of menopausal hormone therapy is a first choice if you’re only experiencing vaginal symptoms, such as dryness. And Yuvafem (estradiol vaginal insert) is one popular vaginal estrogen option.
When you’re first starting a medication, it’s common to have questions about it. Side effects are often a top concern. One good thing about Yuvafem is it has a lower risk of side effects. In fact, many people don’t experience any while using it. But since they’re still possible, it’s best to be prepared for how to manage Yuvafem side effects.
Yuvafem side effects at a glance
Yuvafem is safe for most people. But it does have side effects to be aware of. Most are mild and can be managed at home. Serious side effects are rare but still possible.
How to use Yuvafem (estradiol): Read about the typical dosages for Yuvafem and other vaginal estrogens.
Compare options: Yuvafem is one of several vaginal estrogen products available.
Menopause treatment savings: Learn more about how you can save on menopause treatments.
Common Yuvafem side effects include:
Itching in or around the vagina or vulva
Vaginal fungal (yeast) infections
Back pain
Diarrhea
All forms of estrogen can cause more serious side effects. The risk of these complications is higher if you take estrogen by mouth. The risk of these side effects is much lower with vaginal estrogens, like Yuvafem.
Signs of rare but serious side effects include:
Gallbladder disease
Vision problems
Raised blood pressure
Raised cholesterol levels
Liver problems
Changes to blood calcium levels
This medication also has a few boxed warnings. This is the FDA’s strictest warning for medications. While rare, these side effects can be life-threatening. Yuvafem boxed warnings include:
Breast cancer
Uterine cancer
Blood clots
Heart attack
Stroke
Dementia
Let’s take a closer look at four Yuvafem side effects and how you can manage them.
1. Vaginal itching
One of the most common Yuvafem side effects is vaginal itching. It’s possible that Yuvafem or menopause itself could be causing this side effect. Itching could also be a sign of a yeast infection (more on this below).
While bothersome, vaginal itching is generally not serious. If it’s caused by Yuvafem, it should improve as your body adjusts to the medication. If your itching is a menopause symptom, it should get better after using Yuvafem for a few months.
Tips to help manage vaginal itching include:
Rinsing or soaking in warm water (using a sitz bath)
Wearing loose fitting pants and avoiding leggings or pantyhose
Wearing cotton underwear or underwear with a cotton lining
Not wearing underwear to help more air reach the area
Avoiding douching, hygiene sprays, and genital powders
If vaginal itching continues to be bothersome, contact your prescriber. They may recommend a different menopause treatment. And if you notice any unusual or smelly discharge, reach out to your healthcare team. You may have an infection that requires treatment.
2. Yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infections are another common Yuvafem side effect. Yeast infections are actually possible with any estrogen-based medications. Increases in estrogen raise your risk of these infections.
Symptoms of yeast infections include:
Vaginal itching
Burning or pain while urinate or during sex
Redness or soreness of the vulva
Abnormal vaginal discharge (usually has a cottage-cheese appearance)
The tips for managing vaginal itching can also help prevent yeast infections. You may be able to treat yeast infections with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Popular options include vaginal creams such as Monistat (miconazole) and clotrimazole. There are also prescription treatment options available, such as Diflucan (fluconazole).
If you’ve never had a yeast infection before, contact your prescriber. They can recommend the best treatment for you. You should also contact your prescriber if you’ve tried an OTC treatment and are still having symptoms.
3. Back pain
Back pain is another Yuvafem side effect. Back pain is possible with all estrogen-containing menopause treatments. Studies suggest that menopause hormonal therapy raises the risk of back pain. But experts don’t fully understand the connection.
The following tips can help you manage back pain at home:
Try to keep moving with nonstrenuous activities, such as walking. Staying still can make back pain worse.
Perform gentle stretches that target the lower back area.
Apply heat or ice packs to help soothe back muscles.
Consider OTC pain relief creams or patches. Many of these contain numbing agents to help temporarily dull pain.
Ask a healthcare professional if oral OTC pain relievers, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), would be OK for you. Keep in mind these medications aren’t safe for everyone to take.
If these tips don’t seem to help relieve your back pain, contact your prescriber. Severe pain isn’t typical with Yuvafem. Your healthcare professional may want to check for other causes.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is also a Yuvafem side effect. Your body can respond to estrogen in many different places. This includes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. So it’s possible for estrogen-based medications to cause digestive side effects. Changing estrogen levels may also worsen symptoms of common GI conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
You may notice this Yuvafem side effect more when you first start using it. It should improve as your body adjusts to the medication. In the meantime, consider these tips to help manage diarrhea:
Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration.
Avoid greasy, fried, and spicy foods, which can trigger diarrhea.
Avoid caffeine, milk, and alcohol, which can worsen diarrhea.
Switch to bland foods for a few days, which are easier for your body to digest.
Ask a healthcare professional whether you can safely take OTC medications for diarrhea, such as Imodium A-D (loperamide).
If you experience severe diarrhea or have diarrhea with other symptoms, such as a fever, seek medical care. These are symptoms of a possible GI infection. You should also contact your healthcare team if mild diarrhea doesn’t improve or you start losing weight without trying.
Yuvafem’s boxed warnings
Yuvafem’s labeling includes several serious side effects and boxed warnings. These come from studies of oral menopausal hormone therapies. Large studies found that oral estrogen can raise the risk of breast and uterine cancers, cardiovascular problems, and dementia. And the risk goes up the longer you take these medications.
But low-dose vaginal estrogens, such as Yuvafem, have a very low risk of these serious side effects. Yuvafem primarily works in and around the vagina. Your body doesn’t absorb very much of the medication. That’s why experts recommend trying medications like Yuvafem first if you’re only having vaginal menopause symptoms.
In fact, studies of low-dose vaginal estrogens suggest that there is no increased risk of these serious side effects. Many experts argue that the FDA should remove these boxed warnings from the labeling of low-dose vaginal estrogens.
Discuss your personal risks for Yuvafem’s boxed warnings with your prescriber. They can let you know if it’s OK for you to use it. For many people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks.
Frequently asked questions
Yuvafem isn’t known to cause hair loss. Typically, estrogen helps support healthy hair growth. But menopause very commonly causes changes to hair growth and thickness. So it’s more likely that hair loss you’re experiencing is from menopause itself — not Yuvafem.
It’s unlikely that Yuvafem will cause significant weight gain. Weight changes weren’t reported by people using Yuvafem in clinical trials. But it’s common to gain or lose weight during menopause. The hormone changes that happen during menopause can cause your body to lose muscle and gain fat.
The bottom line
Yuvafem (estradiol) is a prescription vaginal estrogen tablet that can relieve vaginal symptoms of menopause. Common Yuvafem side effects include vaginal itching and yeast infections. Back pain and diarrhea are also possible. Many of these side effects improve over time or can be managed at home. Although Yuvafem’s labeling lists many serious side effects, the risk of them is extremely low for most people. Discuss your personal risks for these issues with your prescriber before starting Yuvafem.
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References
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. (2024). Yuvafem- estradiol tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bergendal, A., et al. (2016). Risk of venous thromboembolism associated with local and systemic use of hormone therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women and in relation to type and route of administration. Menopause.
Bhupathiraju, S. N., et al. (2019). Vaginal estrogen use and chronic disease risk in the Nurses’ Health Study. Menopause.
Chen, C., et al. (2019). The roles of estrogen and estrogen receptors in gastrointestinal disease. Oncology Letters.
Faubion, S. S., et al. (2020). The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause.
Heuch, I., et al. (2023). Menopausal hormone therapy, oral contraceptives and risk of chronic low back pain: The HUNT study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Kumwenda, P., et al. (2022). Estrogen promotes innate immune evasion of Candida albicans through inactivation of the alternative complement system. Cell Reports.
Manson, J. E., et al. (2014). Why the product labeling for low-dose vaginal estrogen should be changed. Menopause.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent.
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