OPTIONS YOU CAN BE PRESCRIBED

TYPES OF FORMULATIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE

OESTROGEN is available as a tablet and spray, but it’s most commonly taken via a patch or gel rubbed on the arm or thigh. There are also creams, tablets and rings which can be applied to the vagina to alleviate symptoms of dryness.

(BODY IDENTICAL) ALTERNATIVES TO OESTROGEL AND SANDRENA

PATCH: Evorel, Estradot, Progynova and Femseven mono. SPRAY: Lenzetto. PILLS: Progynova

and Elleste Solo. PESSARY: Gina — inserted into the vagina to treat dryness and thinning of the skin. One tablet daily for the first two weeks, then twice a week. For women who have gone through the menopause. Earlier this year, the UK medicines watchdog, the Medicines And Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), launched a consultation on changing the Gina pessary from a prescriptiononly medicine to one that is available to buy from pharmacies. Women would still be able to get it on prescription. A decision will be made following the consultation, which ended on February 23. However, while it can successfully treat one symptom of the menopause — vaginal dryness — it won’t help with others, unlike other forms of HRT, which will treat vaginal dryness as well as other symptoms. Other forms of body-identical oestrogen-only pessaries: Vagifem, Ovestin, Vagirux, Blissel and Imvaggis.