Introduction
Estriol is an estrogen hormone made by the body. It has been used as a cream or gel to ease vaginal discomfort in postmenopausal women. It may also be taken as a pill.
Dosages
There are no advised doses for estriol.
What Research Shows
Likely Effective
- Vaginal atrophy —may ease symptoms D1-D6
May Be Effective
- Multiple sclerosis —may reduce relapse when used with standard treatment A1, A2
- Urinary incontinence —may ease symptoms B1
- Problems with urinary or genital organs due to aging —may ease symptoms C1, C2
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to use estriol on the labia for a short time. Estriol may cause irregular menstruation or spotting. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References►
A. Multiple Sclerosis
A1. Voskuhl RR, Wang H, et al. Estriol combined with glatiramer acetate for women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15(1):35-46. A2. Caruso S, Cianci S, et al. Effects of ultralow topical estriol dose on vaginal health and quality of life in postmenopausal women who underwent surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Menopause. 2017;24(8):900-907.
B. Urinary Incontinence
B1. Castellani D, Saldutto P, et al. Low-Dose Intravaginal Estriol and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation in Post-Menopausal Stress Urinary Incontinence. Urol Int. 2015;95(4):417-421.
C. Urogenital Aging
C1. Capobianco G, Donolo E, et al. Effects of intravaginal estriol and pelvic floor rehabilitation on urogenital aging in postmenopausal women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2012 Feb;285(2):397-403.
C2. Capobianco G, Wenger JM, et al. Triple therapy with Lactobacilli acidophili, estriol plus pelvic floor rehabilitation for symptoms of urogenital aging in postmenopausal women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Mar;289(3):601-608.
D. Vaginal Atrophy
D1. Griesser H, Skonietzki S, et al. Low dose estriol pessaries for the treatment of vaginal atrophy: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy of pessaries containing 0.2mg and 0.03mg estriol. Maturitas. 2012 Apr;71(4):360-368.
D2. Cano A, Estévez J, et al. The therapeutic effect of a new ultra low concentration estriol gel formulation (0.005% estriol vaginal gel) on symptoms and signs of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy: results from a pivotal phase III study. Menopause. 2012 Oct;19(10):1130-1139.
D3. Jaisamrarn U, Triratanachat S, et al. Ultra-low-dose estriol and lactobacilli in the local treatment of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. Climacteric. 2013 Jun;16(3):347-355.
D4. Delgado JL, Estevez J, et al. Pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of two vaginal gel formulations of ultra-low-dose estriol in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2016 Apr;19(2):172-180.
D5. Rueda C, Osorio AM, et al. The efficacy and safety of estriol to treat vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a systematic literature review. Climacteric. 2017 Aug;20(4):321-330.
D6. Cruz VL, Steiner ML, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser compared with topical estriol in the treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2018 Jan;25(1):21-28.
Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC Last Updated: 5/6/2020