The drug "Ovestin" at menopause in women: cream, gel, suppositories

Ovestin is a hormonal drug. Let's consider the indications for its use, dosage, possible side effects and other features of the instructions.

Menopause is a period of hormonal changes in the female body, which can worsen the quality of life. This period is dangerous due to various pathological processes due to the decrease in estrogen production. That is why replacement therapy is used, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the deficiency of female sex hormones.

Ovestin during menopause is necessary to restore vaginal epithelium and normalize vaginal microflora. The active substance of the drug is estriol, a natural female sex hormone. This component affects only the organs of the genitourinary system: the vagina, cervix, vulva and urethra.

The peculiarity of the medicine is that it begins to act in the first days after application, significantly improving the woman's condition. Restores normal microflora, eliminates dryness and itching, fights urinary incontinence.

Indications ovestine for menopause

Hormone replacement therapy during menopause helps restore the level of sex hormones. Indications for the use of Ovestin during menopause are based on the action of its active components. The medication is prescribed for:

• Age-related changes in the vaginal mucosa of an atrophic nature caused by estrogen deficiency.
• Increased urination and pain.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Dryness, itching and discomfort in the vagina.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Treatment and prevention of inflammatory lesions of the urogenital area.
• Infertility (associated with cervical factor).
• Prevention of complications of surgical interventions with transvaginal access.

The drug is prescribed for diagnostics when the cytological results of a vaginal smear are unclear.

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Release form

Ovestin is available in several forms:

• Tablets - capsules of 1 and 2 mg with the active substance estriol. Additional components are: amylopectin, lactose monohydrate, potato starch, magnesium stearate and others. One package contains 30 tablets
• Vaginal cream – available in 15 g tubes with the active ingredient estriol. Excipients: cetyl palmitate, lactic acid, octyldodecanol, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, sodium hydroxide and others.
• Vaginal suppositories – each suppository contains 0.5 mg estriol and vitepsol S 58. One package contains 15 suppositories.

Different forms of Ovestin allow it to be selected individually for each patient.

Pharmacodynamics

The selective action of the drug is directed at the vagina, cervix and vulva. Pharmacodynamics causes increased proliferation of vaginal epithelium, stimulates its blood supply, eliminates atrophic changes caused by premenopause and menopause. Active components normalize the acid balance and microflora of the vagina, increase resistance to infectious and inflammatory diseases.

The hormonal agent has a minor effect on the endometrium. The hypolipidemic effect is associated with an increase in the concentration of beta-lipoproteins in the blood, an increase in insulin sensitivity. Glucose utilization improves, and the production of globulins (binds female sex hormones) is stimulated. The drug stimulates parasympathetic reactions, DNA and protein synthesis.

Pharmacokinetics

Different forms of Ovestin release have the same effect on the female body. Pharmacodynamics of tablets indicate rapid and almost complete absorption after use. The maximum concentration of estriol in the blood plasma is achieved in 1-2 hours with intravaginal use.

About 90% of the active substance binds to albumin. Unlike other estrogens, estriol practically does not interact with globulin, which binds sex hormones. The drug is excreted unchanged by the eyeglasses. About 2% is excreted through the intestines. The excretion of metabolites begins several hours after administration and lasts about 18-20 hours.

Dosing and administration

The method of application and dosage of Ovestin depend on the pathological condition and medical prescriptions. During menopause, 4-8 mg of the drug is indicated, regardless of the form of release. When the condition improves, the dosage is reduced.

• Atrophic changes in the vaginal mucosa - 2-4 tablets once a day for a month. Subsequently, a maintenance dose of 1-2 capsules is indicated.
• Urinary incontinence – 1-2 suppositories in the morning and before bedtime. If cream is used, it is administered with an applicator 2 times a day. After the condition improves, the drug is used 2 times a week.
• Preparation for diagnostics in case of unclear cytological results of vaginal smears – 1 suppository every other day for 7 days. Therapy should last until the next diagnostic procedure. The cream is used according to the same scheme.
• Infertility associated with cervical factor – 1-2 mg per day from day 6 to day 15 of the cycle. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 8 mg per day.

If the drug is prescribed during preparation for surgery with transvaginal access in women of climacteric age, then 1 suppository is used once a day. The introduction of suppositories should begin 14 days before the planned surgery. If tablets are used, then 4-8 mg 14 days before surgery and 1-2 mg for two weeks after surgery. The cream is used according to the same scheme.

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Contraindications

Ovestin is contraindicated for use in the following cases:

• Intolerance to the components of the drug.
• Pregnancy.
• Vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology.
• History of breast cancer or suspected breast cancer.
• Porphyria.
• Acute liver damage, changes in liver function tests.
• History of venous or arterial thromboembolism.
• Estrogen-dependent malignant tumors.
• Endometrial cancer or suspicion of it.

The drug should be prescribed with special caution in case of leiomyoma or endometriosis, arterial hypertension, thromboembolic disorders, benign liver tumors, cholelithiasis, diabetes mellitus, jaundice, liver failure, migraine, systemic lupus erythematosus, pancreatitis, epilepsy, endometrial hyperplasia in the anamnesis and asthma. All the above conditions require medical supervision when using ovestin.

Side effects ovestine for menopause

Failure to follow the doctor's recommendations for use of the drug may cause side effects of varying severity. Ovestin during menopause most often provokes irritation and itching in the vagina, pain and discomfort in the mammary glands, and bouts of nausea. In rare cases, headaches and increased blood pressure may occur.

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Overdose

The use of high doses of ovestin causes a number of unfavorable symptoms. Overdose is accompanied by attacks of nausea and vomiting, vaginal bleeding is also possible. Since there is no specific antidote, symptomatic therapy aimed at improving the woman's condition is indicated.

Interactions with other drugs

Menopause is accompanied by hormonal changes that can negatively affect the entire body. To improve the condition, complex therapy is used, aimed at eliminating the deficiency of female sex hormones and facilitating overall well-being. Interactions of Ovestin with other drugs should be monitored by the attending physician.

To date, no cases of adverse interactions have been recorded, but given the pharmacological properties of estriol, caution should be exercised when using it with anticonvulsants, antibiotics, antiretroviral drugs, and St. John's wort-based drugs. In addition, estriol may increase the effectiveness of corticosteroids.

When used with opioid analgesics, anxiolytics and other drugs for general anesthesia, their effect is reduced. Thyroid drugs and folic acid enhance the activity of estriol.

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Shelf life

Ovestin during menopause, like a number of similar drugs, is used to improve women's well-being. The drug has several forms of release. The shelf life of each of them is 36 months from the date of manufacture. After its expiration, the drug must be disposed of. The use of an expired drug is very dangerous, as it can provoke uncontrolled side effects.