Skip to main content

Estradiol topical User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Vagifem, Estrace Vaginal Cream, Imvexxy, Yuvafem, Estring

Estradiol topical has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 455 reviews on Drugs.com. 37% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 46% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Estradiol topical

  • Ellie
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 21, 2020

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Horrible itching, burning, swelling from any topical estrogen I tried - estrace, vagifem, premarin. After 3 years of suffering, all with normal cultures (no infection), I insisted on biopsy of vulva - showed probable hypersensitivity reaction from allergy!!! Stopped all estrogens, but atrophic vaginitis returned with different burning and dryness, and painful sex. Then researched and found out that topical estrogens can cause all my symptoms from allergic reaction to the preservatives and other ingredients! My gyn had no clue. I researched this, and told doctor to order Estriol cream in VERSABASE cream base - versabase is hypoallergenic. I AM CURED - the compounded estriol in versabase has fixed my atrophic vaginitis without allergic reaction. I have my vagina back! Find a compounding pharmacy - I use estriol 1 mg/gram compounded - daily x 2 weeks then twice a week. Call around as the different compounding pharmacies have huge price differences for the same compound. Good luck!!!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
298 Report
  • Zero...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "The pessaries might be fine but the packaging is insane. Each pessary has its own plastic applicator. And is individually wrapped in foil and plastic. It's an absolute disgrace. Pessaries and one reusable applicator please. Stop wrecking the planet with this sort of ridiculous over packaging"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
213 Report
  • Lily
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 1, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Urethritis "I am 80 years old and I've been taking Vagifem for over 15 years since my surgery (Radical historectomy for uterine cancer). I trusted my doctor completely and have not had any problems with UTI's or vaginal dryness. I also use a KY-gel product after my shower and have no problem reaching a climax with masturbation, my only sexual release at my age. I also get Vagifem from Canadian Pharmacy for one-third the cost in the States. My younger sister could not tolerate Vagifem for many of the negative reports here, but she also didn't have cancer and is able to get relief from other meds. I really appreciate your comments and wish all the best to my sisters-at-large."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
186 Report
  • twist...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 23, 2016

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "So - I was prescribed this and was shocked when I went to the pharmacy and she said $135. Dr. never mentioned this. I said "doesn't my insurance pay anything on this?" She checked and said "It's normally $350.00" or something. I was really angry. Angry, embarassed and this whole experience is humiliating to women. Why do I think a prescription of Viagra has a co-pay of like $10?? IT'S TIME TO STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST WOMEN. Especially us older women!!! That is ridiculous!!! I did not buy it, I was so angry. I may.... but I doubt it. I was prescribed this with an oral progesterone -- any one have experience with these two items combined? Thanks for letting me air that - take heed, Big Pharma."

Was this helpful?YesNo
387 Report
  • Wonder...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 18, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was prescribed Vagifem finally after a year of burning, painful sex and constant urine infections. Literally after 3 days the burning was 70% better and I actually enjoyed sex for the first time in ages ! Totally recommend Vagifem and I've had zero side affects . Still got every other peri menopause symptom but one less to deal with is a huge relief! Good luck ladies !"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
180 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Jlady
  • May 28, 2013

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I'm 71 years old. The tearing and associated pain started a few months ago. Just hoped it would go away but it did not. I would not let my husband touch me. Spoke with 2 doctors I know and they said its normal but Estrace would help. It did. My prescription is dated 3/7/2013. Within 10 days the tearing stopped and all was healed. Use 1 gram 3 X a week. Nothing bad has happened. My libido near immediately was through the roof. I am amazed and nobody needs to try and take this medicine away from me! I'm loving it and my husband is happy too. Yes, my age up there is right."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
461 Report
  • Gal
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 17, 2020

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I left a comment in August regarding Vagifem and gave it 10/10 for curing my symptoms of repeated urinary tract infections but over the last few weeks since starting a new box of Vagifem I have noticed that for the first 2 days after using it I too am getting a stinging feeling in the vagina which also makes me feel like I have a urinary tract infection and tingling in the breasts which I have not experienced before. Reluctantly I have stopped the medication as these new symptoms are too uncomfortable and I am wondering if the manufacturer has changed the formula. Not happy."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
162 Report
  • letme...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 16, 2013

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I'm 65 and had ovaries removed 11 years ago, along with uterus and cervix. Since that, I have almost no sex drive and intercourse was super painful. Estrace vaginal cream really helps, and I only have to use a pea sized dab every other day. Just using a finger to apply at bedtime works great. It seems to me that the dire warnings about using estrogens is misleading since no studies have been done on just vaginal estradiol rather than on oral estrogen, and much higher doses are still prescribed than are needed for maintenance. Without Estrace vaginal cream, intercourse would be impossible and husband would be very unhappy. "

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
335 Report
  • Mano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 12, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Worst 'medication' I've ever had. Horrific headache, couldn't even get up out of bed safely the day after one and only application, extreme nausea and dizziness, next few days spotting, vaginal pain, burning for the next two weeks until I took some acid regulators. Subsequently have been sleepless, extremely low on energy, cystitis, cold sore - basically everything saying the body's taken a beating. One pessary. Still battling it four weeks later. Never again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
121 Report
  • Pookie
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 10, 2020

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Does anyone know if any of the ingredients have changed recently? I have been using vagifem for almost 15 years once a week and never experienced any burning but recently out of the blue I have burning and cannot understand why as I am using the brand and not the generic as that caused horrible problems. It works great but not happy with the irritation. Thank you."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
152 Report
  • Gram
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 6, 2019

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 71 years old and my doctor prescribed estradiol for vaginal atrophy. I was reluctant to try it but my symptoms worsened so I started the estradiol 3 times a week. After a few weeks I was symptom-free and feeling great. However after 3 months my symptoms gradually returned and now I have burning all day and the urination urgency off and on during the day. My symptoms abate at night. My doctor doesn’t have any answers as to why the medication stopped working. Does anyone else have this problem and what was your solution.?"

Was this helpful?YesNo
161 Report
  • Sara
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 30, 2019

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was using Estrace and was doing very well. Then they approved the generic Estradiol. I can already tell the difference. I’m itching and sex is painful again. Estrace is too expensive now that the generic has been released. Also Allergen offered free applicators but Mylan won’t even answer an e- mail regarding this. I think it VERY unsanitary to expect one to reuse the tubes. Allergen won’t even respond when I asked if I could buy the applicators for the generic- I did find them on Amazon for $33 a bag. Thinking about paying full price for the Estrace to get the free applicator program again. I’m going to try this generic a few more times. If I don’t see improvement and still have issues, I’m stopping it and reporting it to the FDA. Does anyone else have problems with generic but was doing great on Estrace brand??"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
139 Report
  • whims
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 6, 2021

Imvexxy (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I'm 65 years old I started Imvexxy when I turned 62 and it worked for me I thought life was great again then I turned 65 and Medicare/Blue Cross entered my life the price is over 200 dollars a month for me and of coarse my insurances will not cover that at all so it is out of my pocket ! I had to turn to a different brand this brand does not work for me sad to say . Why would Imvexxy get you hooked and then once you really need at our age and you cant afford it !!!!!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
110 Report
  • Lola...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 9, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been using vagifem for a few months now & definitely took several weeks for my symptoms to calm down. Before using this my entire vaginal area had become dry, hyper sensitive & sore & sex was so painful, vagifem has restored lubrication & feel like me again, so happy with results. Also have had no hot flashes since I started taking it & these were happening multiple times a night also not had a UTI since & have been having them every couple of months most of my adult life."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
100 Report
  • sammie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 3, 2020

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I tried Vagifem for two weeks and while I think it probably helped with soreness inside and plumped things up, it also caused irritation of the uretha whereby I had a constant pressure, feeling like a need to wee all the time, burning and stinging inside. I couldn't live with it and it kept on waking me up at night. These symptoms started when I used vagifem and stopped when I stopped it. I really hope there is an alternative as I think for many vagifem is a miracle."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
125 Report
  • Lou
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 9, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Urethritis "I am 43 and was sceptical about using Vagifem as did not have vagina dryness which is what it says it’s for, but I have had problems with ongoing leaking bladder since giving birth to very large baby and most recently consistent UTI . All I can say is thank goodness the female doctor I had told me to try this. I have not had any urine leakage at all since I been on it which is a miracle and no bladder infections. There so many women my age with this trouble it should be prescribed more for this it’s so good amazing !"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
100 Report
  • Chads
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 7, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using Vagifem for many years now and although it's helped my symptoms a great deal, I find the recommended dosage of 1 pessary twice a week is not enough to keep me comfortable, however my dr refuses to prescribe me any extra. Imagine my surprise on visiting the Menopause Matters site to find many women on there are prescribed it 5x a week as twice a week doesn't relieve their symptoms. Apparently each Vagifem pessary used to be 25mcg (=50mcg a week) but for some unknown reason they reduced it to 10mcg per pessary (=20mcg a week)"

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
91 Report
  • AEano
  • October 23, 2019

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Amneal had two companies producing their Yuvafem product. One company located in the USA (pink packaging) and the other in Denmark (blue packaging). I did not experience issues with the product manufactured in Denmark although the packaging was inferior to Vagifem. Amneal no longer uses the company in Denmark. The product in the pink packaging manufactured in the USA is as awful as the many negative reviews reflect. Burning and itching was the worse negative symptoms for me. Why is the FDA not aggressively addressing this. I have been battling with Amneal and it isn't a pleasant experience. I plan to escalate to the Attorney General of my state. Unfortunately too many politicians take money from the pharmaceutical companies so they do nothing to help stop the this abuse. I also take issue with the majority of insurance companies refusing to cover Vagifem or charge exhorbitant copays for a medication women need to maintain good health yet many have no problem with covering Viagra."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
124 Report
  • Anon
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 19, 2018

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "For those who commented about burning from using Estrace...I also had burning from it. My research led me to believe that the propylene glycol and/or glycerin in the product were the culprits. I switched to a hypoallergenic form of estradiol from a good compounding pharmacy and that solved the problem. No burning and the estradiol was so helpful."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
144 Report
  • Leyaleo
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 3, 2014

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Just posting an update from my last post a few months ago. The hypoallergenic estradiol (basically, a compounded version of Estrace from a compounding pharmacy) continues to be very effective for me - relieving vaginal burning/pain and urinary urgency/frequency. For women out there suffering those issues in perimenopause (when it hit me), know that it was suggested that I had interstitial cystitis and that I was off-base when I told doctors I was reacting badly to propylene glycol and glycerin, ingredients in many vaginal products. The compounded version of Estrace has been SO helpful for me and after many painful, difficult months, I feel myself again. "

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
203 Report
  • Sexpert
  • March 30, 2016

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Very sexually active until severe abrupt menopausal symptoms at 55. AV symptoms the most bothersome as overnight I shrunk up, dried up, itched, burned and tore. Intercourse was out of the question. Dr. gave me a sample of Estrace Vaginal cream. I admit I was afraid to use it and had little faith that it would help so I used only a pearl size amount on clean dry skin every night for 2 weeks. That ammt. Is sufficient to cover all the external parts and more, it emulsifies. I am COMPLETELY healed as far as pain with intercourse and also pain upon urination. It was a MIRACLE for me. Side note: If you stop using it (3X a week after the initial 2wk nightly use) you'll be back at square 1. I give Estrace a 10+ rating C: A tube lasted 6 months"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
177 Report
  • Mojo
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 7, 2020

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Urethritis "Have been having very painful cystitis and UTI's for over 4 years, I have been given numerous antibiotics over this time, after 1 to 2 weeks of finishing the course it was back again, was then kept on antibiotics full time, the specialist then suggested vagifem, the first one did sting, so didn't take more, then tried again 3 weeks later, and the pain & inflammation started to ease, after 4 Yr & antibiotics that didn't work I had found a breakthrough med, cannot believe at 57-62 age the GP never thought lack of estrogen could be the cause."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
108 Report
  • denah
  • November 18, 2013

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 50 yrs old and post menopausal - basically in full menopause.. I was prescribed this cream for thinning of the vaginal wall. I had increased urinary tract infections. I believe it helps with my libido which had dropped to zero! I hope this review helps. I didn't have dryness or pain with intercourse. My urologist prescribed it for me. It is really great to have doctors who "KNOW" what we are going through as females."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
204 Report
  • Mary...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 30, 2015

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Vagifem as prescribed by my Gyn. I used this product as directed for on an off for a period of 2 years. I developed fallopian and ovarian cancer last year. I have had to have a hysterectomy-oophorectomy and excision of tumors. I feel that this was related to my taking the Vagifem even though my Gyn stated that this was a small dose of hormone and would not cause any adverse problems. I have since found that this is not the truth!"

Was this helpful?YesNo
173 Report
  • CeeGal
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 16, 2016

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been married for 35 years. After menopause, intercourse became impossible due to dryness and pain. I do not go to the doctor as often as I should, so I suffered for years, and tried to find "natural remedies" on my own to no avail. I finally gave in and went to a gynecologist. I was embarrassed to even tell him, but I knew I had to do something. He was familiar with the problem and put me on Estrace cream. Within days, I was a NEW person. Saved my life and my marriage. Excellent results and fast!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
152 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.