How to Use Estrogen Cream

Recent studies indicate that hormone replacement therapy may increase a women's risk of cancer. So women are seeking safer, gentler alternatives for treating the symptoms of menopause. One alternative is estrogen cream. It contains natural rather than synthetic estrogen in very low doses and is applied vaginally.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Read books and websites about menopause to see if you are experiencing symptoms and if estrogen cream may be right for you. Although there are some low dose creams available without a prescription, you probably want to talk to your doctor who can prescribe a cream for you.

2. Purchase low dose estrogen cream at your health food store, pharmacy or online. Make sure it contains only natural and no synthetic estrogens which can be dangerous.

3. Note the potency level and read the list of ingredients before you purchase the estrogen cream. Some creams contain helpful herbs such as wild yam, black cohosh or ginseng.

4. Apply the estrogen cream following directions and using the lowest possible dose. If the cream was prescribed by your doctor, apply according to his prescription.

5. Notice if there has been improvement in your symptoms after one month's use. You should have some relief from vaginal dryness and increased sensitivity in the vaginal area.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor to give you salivary testing to see what your hormone levels are. This test may give you a better idea if you need estrogen cream and how much to use.

• Don't use the hormone cream before sex because it may cause your partner to absorb some of the estrogen.

• Don't use too much cream. You will just create another imbalance.