I use 1 gram of Estrace Cream three days a week. I receive a 42.5 g tube every three months. While the math is right, one tube seems to last only slightly more that 2 months. I use the applicator that comes with it, filling only to the 1 gram mark each time. Insurance does not allow me to reorder until the end of the 3 month period, which means I go without for 3 weeks. (I use this medication for an autoimmune disease and experience painful flares when I miss a dose.) Has anyone else had the same problem of running out of medication too soon? What am I doing wrong?
Estrace Vaginal Cream - Why does tube of medicine run out before the end of 3 months?
Question posted by LW44 on 5 June 2017
Last updated on 5 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
34 Answers Page 3
beess
22 Jan 2018
I was so relieved to find this thread. I have been using Estrace for over a year, and I have the same problem with the tube not lasting the three months it is supposed to last. I keep track of the number of grams I get according to the applicator, and it never exceeds 28. That means we are overdosing on estrogen and overbuying Estrace. This is unacceptable.
Lisa Rosenthal
22 Jan 2018
I agree... I have been pursuing an answer for months..
I called the FDA, but they could do nothing to help... and I even have tried to start a Class Action Suit. I went into see my doctor just to let her know what has been going on. Her plan is to give her patients prescriptions that are for every 28 days. I really feel ripped off to say the least.
Not sure what to do?? Lisa
lilt31
14 June 2018
I am having the same issue with the generic equivalent of Estrace. My dose is 1 gram 3 times weekly, and I noticed about 1 month in that I had already used about half the tube. I then found this thread, and started using less cream, but I'm just about out now and my insurance won't pay again for another 2 weeks. Has there been any more progress on this?
Lisa Rosenthal
15 June 2018
I just now saw your post from a year ago..not sure why it did not show up sooner.
I finally decided not to take this anymore. I gave up fighting with Allergam the company that makes Estrace... I even went to my doctor and spoke with her about this. So frustrating!
Lisa Rosenthal
15 June 2018
One more thing in answer to the last comment which was made 16 hours ago.. I believe that you can go to your doctor and she can prescribe more and that way your insurance company will pay for it... however, as I said I did stop taking it... I decided that it really is not all that great for us to be taking these types of products ... years ago women never took anything like this and they were fine... just frustrating that these big companies are ripping us off.. there are only a very few comments on this site but imagine the zillions of women out there who are at a loss at what to do... I even thought of going to the media about this,,but...
srkcook
15 Oct 2018
I believe the problem is in the way it is being measured, not the applicator. In order to get one gram of medicine from the tube you pull plunger up to level with very first line. My friend and I are both on this and she was pulling past line to bottom of the “G” which was double the amount prescribed. Hope this helps.
Annody
5 Nov 2017
I have a gram scale. According to my scale, my applicator is marked correctly at both 1 and 2 grams.
Lisa Rosenthal
5 Nov 2017
That is so strange..because I am not and everyone else that has responded has said the same thing..except for you... So are you saying that you are actually getting 43 grams from your tube? Because we are all getting 28 grams?? Please let me know. I took a photo of the applicator with one gram in it each time I used it with the date and it only lasted 28 days. I did this with two full tubes and had the same result both times.
Annody
8 Nov 2017
Lisa, since I didn’t see this site until I had already used quite a bit of my tube, I can’t say how much is in my tube. I’m responding to comments that the applicator was marked incorrectly. My applicator is marked correctly according to my gram scale. Is your scale electronic? My scale is electronic, which is much more accurate than a spring-type scale. Just wondering...
Lisa Rosenthal
8 Nov 2017
Good morning,
I never weighed the gram..what I did was get an entire new tube and measure out one gram twice a week until the tube was empty and found that I was only able to get 28 days (so 28 grams) from it. I took a photo with the date each time so I had 28 photos and an empty tube at the end of the process. I have registered a complaint and I am in touch with the company on a weekly basis. I want to get to the bottom of this. If this is not resolved soon I will contact the Drug and Food administration.
Lisa Rosenthal
8 Dec 2017
Hello again,
I have been back and forth with the company. They now admit in writing that the tube only holds 27 to 28 grams. They are saying that the difference is because of what is lost in the applicator and what is left in the tube... which is ridiculous. I am not letting this go. I am contacting the FDA on Monday and letting and them know!
Lisa Rosenthal
23 Jan 2018
Hi there,
The problem is not the applicator..it is the fact that there is not as much cream in the tube to begin with.
I have been trying to resolve this huge issue for months now. I of course get the run around.. I will keep trying. I went to the FDA and more...
JDSkaist
12 Nov 2018
The applicator is “dispensing” the wrong dose. The applicator “dispenses” the wrong amount even though the spaced markings from gram to gram look correct. You can visually see this. The distance from one of the gram markings to the next is about half as much as the applicator fills to when you set it at the gram marking you want. The problem is that when you fill the applicator, which, of course, we do from the bottom, the way the applicator is designed at the bottom it fills more than the gram amount you set it for (almost twice more).
kc8723
7 Oct 2017
This is sad and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one this is happening too. They are cheating people and getting away with it. I thought it was just a fluke with the first tube... had to get a refill to continue using as prescribed and my pharmacy had to contact my RX Ins Co to get a waiver to refill the RX sooner. Also contacted the company that makes this and they said to send copy of receipt to reimburse for the co-pay. I want them to correct the problem as they are cheating so many of us. It is just wrong.
Maybe they need a class action law suit filed against them. grrrrr
I guess we all need to be screaming about this in order for them to correct the problem
Lisa Rosenthal
7 Oct 2017
Isn't this ridiculous!! And such a huge rip off.. I think the applicator is measuring the cream incorrectly so we are all getting more per dose than we should be. This is actually dangerous and be needs to be addressed. I decided to take photos with the date and time on my phone every time I used the product.
I was able to prove that I only used it 28 times using one gram twice a week. I submitted proof two weeks ago. I have the correct name and number of the person to contact if you too would like to pursue this.
Lisa Rosenthal
9 Oct 2017
Did you see what I wrote about all this? I am in touch with someone at Allergan and I plan to get to the bottom of this.
I wish there was a way that all the women that wrote in could actually communicate via email or phone but I have a feeling that this website will not allow it.
Lisa Rosenthal... Georgetown,
Texas
Lisa Rosenthal
18 June 2017
I had the same issue with Estrace cream. I was using 2 grams a day for two weeks as per my Doctor
and I also got the 42.5 g tube... And, it only lasted 14 days. I am completely out and I can not get a refill for two more weeks!! I am calling the Estrace company tomorrow and also the drug and food administration about this. I saw another question posted in January where a gal was having the same issue. So this is definitely a problem. Such an expensive drug..
So you are not doing anything wrong.
Shakerlom
5 Sep 2017
Please note that the applicator is wrong. I, too, ran out of the cream early. Decided to weigh the 1G of medicine according to applicator. It is 1.75 + grams, which means we have been overdosing ourselves. Using a tad bit more than .5 in the applicator is the correct dosage for 1G prescription. Outrageous.
Lisa Rosenthal
5 Sep 2017
In response to the woman that found the applicator was incorrect... that was my guess as well...
I have contacted Estrace and made a formal complaint. I resent paying double for this expensive product. Plus, using more could be harmful to our bodies. I suggest that you contact Estrace and pursue this as well. The more that complain the better. I took a photograph with the date and time every time I used this product..so I could prove this was happening. I then called and emailed the company with the case number they gave me. I sent the photos and letter of complaint.
Lisa Rosenthal
18 Sep 2017
I am still dealing with the grams issue... the company says that the amount of grams in the tube is correct but they are wrong.
I took a photo with the date every time I used the product and at 28 days of use there was nothing left.
I believe you are the gal that measured the gram. How did you do that? I told the company that you had done that and they would like to hear from you as well.
I have the phone number of the person you need to contact. It took forever to get to him. Anyway, please let me know. Lisa
Lisa Rosenthal
7 Oct 2017
I spoke with someone at the Estrace Dept. and sent him proof that I have been doing the doses correctly. I took a photo with the date on my phone each time I used the product and it only lasted 28 days. Looks like there are 3 or 4 of us writing into this website. I call and email this person every couple of days to get an answer. I can give you his name and number if you are interested in pursuing this rip off.
Shakerlom
8 Oct 2017
in answer to your question, how did I measure: I used a food scale I weighed the applicator and then I filled up the applicator to the 1 Gram mark. Weighed it again and came out to 1.75 G of medication.
Yes, please post the contact person's name and number. I will also call. Thank you.
Lisa Rosenthal
8 Oct 2017
Another thought you see my actual name and we really should try to connect and see what we can do...
I am listed on Facebook and live in Texas.middle name is Stoloff.
Dianejk
27 July 2018
I think they could care less. Collectively, we could make a difference. Perhaps contacting the FDA or some kind of fraudulent advertising practices advocacy.
RDsmith
7 Sep 2022
I’m thinking also the applicator circumference is wrong! I have used other products with a “skinnier” applicator, and thinking that would make the difference in how many grams, maybe more so than how much goes in the tube “up”. I’m on the hunt for a new a applicator now!
RDsmith
7 Sep 2022
I’m thinking also the applicator circumference is wrong! I have used other products with a “skinnier” applicator, and thinking that would make the difference in how many grams, maybe more so than how much goes in the tube “up”. I’m on the hunt for a new a applicator now!
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estrace, estrace vaginal cream, medicine, cream, vagina
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