Estraderm comes in an estradiol transdermal system designed to release estradiol through a rate-limiting membrane continuously upon application to intact skin. Estraderm is a form of the female hormone estrogen, used to treat certain symptoms of menopause such as dryness, burning, and itching of the vaginal area. These symptoms are the direct cause of the body making less estrogen. This medication may also be used by women who are not able to produce enough estrogen due to hypogonadism, primary ovarian failure.
Estraderm can also reduce the urgency or irritation of urination, in addition to treating infertility, abnormal bleeding, and to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.
How to Use Estraderm
Estraderm should only be used to treat symptoms in and around the vagina. Other medications should be considered to apply directly inside the vagina, before medications that are taken by mouth, absorbed through the skin, or injected. Certain estrogen products may also be used by women after menopause to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), such as raloxifene, bisphosphonates including alendronate that are also effective and may be safer. These medications should be considered for use before estrogen treatment.
You should place the adhesive side of the Estraderm system on a clean, dry area of the skin, preferably on a patch not exposed to the sunlight, like the buttocks or abdomen. Do not apply Estraderm to the breast, as the medication passes into breast milk and may reduce the quality and amount of breast milk produced. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. The strip should be replaced twice weekly.
Estraderm may have a tendency to interact with many different drugs, such as St. John’s wort, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, blood thinners, phenobarbital, antibiotics, antifungal medications, or ritonavir and other HIV/AIDS medications. That is why it is extremely important to tell your doctor all medications and supplements you are currently using. Also, Estraderm must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor.
Common side effects include skin redness/irritation at the application site, nausea/vomiting, bloating, breast tenderness, headache, or weight changes.
References
Drugs & Medications – estraderm td. (2005-2014). Retrieved from www.webmd.com: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-1808-estraderm+td.aspx
Estradiol Transdermal. (2014, April 2). Retrieved from www.fertilitybydesign.com: http://www.fertilitybydesign.com/patientportal/MyPractice.aspx?UAID=%7BD69B3EA2-D95A-419D-BD78-E1EED33375B8%7D&ID=HW5d00537t1&Title=Estradiol-Transdermal
