EVALON CREAM (Ovestin)1 MG/GM Estriol

What is Evalon Cream used for?

Evalon cream 1% is a short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat atrophic vaginitis (also called vaginal atrophy) which is a common vaginal symptom of the menopause, caused by a lack of oestrogen production by the ovaries.  Atrophic vaginitis, caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Evalon cream provides a topical oestrogen treatment which helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.  Evalon cream is also used before and after vaginal surgery in postmenopausal women.

How does Evalon Cream work?

Evalon cream contains estriol a naturally occurring oestrogen, which is the weakest of the three natural forms of oestrogen and normally present in small amounts.  Unlike other forms of oestrogen (oestradiol and oestrone) estriol is short acting making it particularly suitable as a topical treatment for urogenital symptoms of menopausal atrophic vaginitis caused by lack of oestrogen.  Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, including thickening of the vaginal wall and increasing vaginal secretion.  When Evalon cream is inserted into the vagina, estriol is slowly released and absorbed into the vaginal skin layer where it reverses changes in the vagina by stimulating thickening of the skin, reducing inflammation and restoring the physiological pH and normal microflora (the “good” bacteria that norma
lly live in the skin and increases resistance to infection with other bacteria that cause vaginal or urinary infections).  The restoring effect of Evalon cream reduces symptoms of atrophic vaginitis which can be maintained with continued use.

What does Evalon Cream contain?

Evalon cream 1% contains the active ingredient estriol, used to treat urogenital symptoms of menopausal atrophic vaginitis.  One application contains 0.5g Evalon cream which corresponds to 0.5mg estriol.

Treating symptoms of menopause with Evalon Cream

Evalon cream 1% contains estriol a naturally occurring oestrogen for short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used for urogenital symptoms of menopausal caused by lack of oestrogen.  Atrophic vaginitis is a common vaginal symptom of the menopause caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer and leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Evalon cream provides a topical oestrogen treatment which helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

Evalon Cream for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Evalon cream1% is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treatment of atrophic vaginitis, caused by lack of oestrogen in menopausal women.  Evalon cream contains estriol, which is the weakest of the three natural forms of oestrogen and normally present in small amounts.  Unlike other forms of oestrogen estriol is short acting making it particularly suitable as a topical treatment for urogenital symptoms of menopausal atrophic vaginitis caused by lack of oestrogen.  Evalon cream is used for short-term treatment of atrophic vaginitis, a common vaginal symptom of the menopause caused by thinning and shrinking of the vaginal skin layer and leads to symptoms such as dryness, itching, irritation and inflammation, which can lead to sex being uncomfortable or painful, and to an increased susceptibility to vaginal or urinary infections, also mild urinary incontinence.  Evalon cream helps to restore the vaginal tissue, reducing symptoms and preventing recurrent infections.

What are the side effects of Evalon Cream?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Evalon Cream are local irritation or itching, breast tenderness and breast pain.  More severe but less common side effects include blood clots in the veins which can result in thromboembolism.

What are the health risks of Evalon Cream?

Long-term HRT with Evalon Cream 1% does have associated health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.  Estriol has weaker oestrogen action than other forms of oestrogen (oestradiol and oestrone) and has reduced risk for endometrial cancer, therefore use of a progesterone is not necessary for reducing risk of endometrial cancer.

When should Evalon Cream not be used?

You should not use Evalon Cream if you:

• are allergic to estriol or any ingredients in Evalon cream
• have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen use
• abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• have porphyria, a condition which affect the skin or nervous system
• are taking other medications that may interact with Evalon cream, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz or preparations containing St John’s Wort, corticosteroids, succinylcholine a muscle relaxant, theophylline for asthma.

How should Evalon Cream be used?

Evalon cream 1% is intended for topical use only and should be inserted into your vagina, using the applicator provided.  You should use Evalon cream for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually once a day, before going to bed, for the first week, then once or twice a week or once every two weeks, as instructed.

How long should you take Evalon Cream?

Evalon cream is intended for short-term use until symptoms of atrophic vaginitis improve.  You should use Evalon cream for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Evalon Cream

If you miss a dose of Evalon Cream take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Evalon Cream be stored?

You should store your Evalon Cream below 25°C in a cool dry place, keep away from direct sunlight and do not refrigerate.