home > drugs a-z list > femring (estradiol acetate) drug center > femring (estradiol acetate) drug - patient side effects and images

Brand Names: Femring

Generic Name: estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Pronunciation: ESS tra DYE ol VAJ in al (sis TEM ik))

• What is estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• What are the possible side effects of estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• What is the most important information I should know about estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• How should I use estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Femring)?
• What happens if I overdose (Femring)?
• What should I avoid while using estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• What other drugs will affect estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?

Estradiol is a form of estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone necessary for many processes in the body.

Estradiol vaginal (systemic) is used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation.

Some estradiol products placed directly into the vagina are used for "local" treatment of vaginal menopause symptoms involving the secretions and surrounding tissues of the vagina. Other vaginal estradiol products are used for treating menopause symptoms affecting the vagina as well as other parts of the body (such as hot flashes). This type of vaginal estradiol has "systemic" effects, meaning that it can affect parts of the body other than where the medicine is placed or applied.

The information in this leaflet is specific to estradiol vaginal products used for systemic treatment of symptoms.

Estradiol vaginal (systemic) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Remove the vaginal ring and seek emergency medical attention if you have fever with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, dizziness, fainting, and/or sunburn-like skin rash. These may be signs of a life-threatening disease called toxic shock syndrome.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• pain or swelling in your lower leg (calf);
• heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding;
• severe constipation;
• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes);
• loss of appetite, increased thirst, muscle weakness, feeling tired or restless;
• pain, swelling, or tenderness in your stomach, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• a lump in your breast.

Less serious side effects may include:

• swollen breasts;
• acne or skin color changes;
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
• migraine headache;
• vaginal pain, itching, or discharge;
• swelling of your ankles or feet; or
• changes in your menstrual periods, break-through bleeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about estradiol vaginal (systemic) (Femring)?

Some estradiol products placed directly into the vagina are used for "local" treatment of vaginal menopause symptoms involving the secretions and surrounding tissues of the vagina. Other vaginal estradiol products are used for treating menopause symptoms affecting the vagina as well as other parts of the body (such as hot flashes). This type of vaginal estradiol has "systemic" effects, meaning that it can affect parts of the body other than where the medicine is placed or applied.

The information in this leaflet is specific to estradiol vaginal products used for systemic treatment of symptoms.

Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke, heart attack, or blood clot, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, or abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked.

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Estradiol increases your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia, which may lead to cancer of the uterus. Taking progestins while using estradiol may lower this risk. If your uterus has not been removed, your doctor may prescribe a progestin for you to take while you are using estradiol vaginal.

Long-term estradiol treatment may increase your risk of breast cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks before using estradiol long-term. Your doctor should check your progress on a regular basis (every 3 to 6 months) to determine whether you should continue this treatment.

Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using estradiol.