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Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
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| Medication Name | Ovestin Vaginal Cream |
| Medication Form | Vaginal cream |
| Used For | Vaginal atrophy symptoms (dryness, irritation, itching, discomfort) in postmenopausal women |
| Who Can Use | Postmenopausal women with at least 12 months since their last period |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Estriol 1mg per gram |
| Usual Dose | 1 applicator-dose (0.5mg estriol) daily for up to 4 weeks, then reduced to twice weekly |
| Common Side Effects | Breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding or discharge, nausea, local irritation |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Ovestin Vaginal Cream PIL |
Ovestin cream is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to relieve vaginal symptoms caused by menopause. When oestrogen levels fall after menopause, the vaginal wall can become thinner, drier, and less elastic. This is known medically as vaginal atrophy.
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:
Ovestin cream may also be prescribed to support wound healing in postmenopausal women who are having vaginal surgery.
Ovestin cream contains estriol, a naturally occurring oestrogen. It is applied directly into the vagina using the applicator provided, so the hormone is delivered exactly where it is needed.
Once absorbed by the vaginal tissues, estriol acts as a vaginal oestrogen, helping restore moisture and elasticity to the vaginal wall and relieving dryness, itching, and discomfort. Because the cream works locally rather than circulating through the bloodstream, it has very low systemic absorption. This means a progestagen doesn’t need to be added, unlike with many other forms of HRT.
It may take 2 to 3 weeks before you notice a full improvement in your symptoms.
Ovestin cream is suitable for postmenopausal women who have had at least 12 months since their last period and are experiencing vaginal symptoms caused by oestrogen deficiency.
Do not use Ovestin cream if you:
Speak to your doctor before using Ovestin cream if you have or have ever had any of the following, as these may return or worsen during treatment:
Ovestin cream comes with a reusable applicator. One full application (filled to the ring mark) contains 0.5g of cream, delivering 0.5mg of estriol. It is best to apply the cream before going to bed.
If you forget to use Ovestin, apply it as soon as you remember, unless you are more than 12 hours late. If so, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
Initial dose: 1 applicator-dose (0.5mg estriol) daily for up to 4 weeks.
Maintenance dose: 1 applicator-dose twice a week.
Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that relieves your symptoms. They may ask you to take a break every 2 to 3 months to check whether treatment is still needed and may gradually reduce your dose before stopping treatment altogether. Do not stop using Ovestin just because your symptoms improve. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
If you think your dose is too strong or not strong enough, talk to your doctor.
Like all medicines, Ovestin can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Because it works locally and has very low systemic absorption, side effects are generally less likely than with systemic HRT.
Ovestin can cause:
In most patients, these side effects will disappear after the first few weeks of treatment.
For a full list of side effects, read the Ovestin Vaginal Cream patient information leaflet.
If you experience any severe side effects or signs of an allergic reaction, stop using Ovestin and seek immediate medical attention by calling 999 or going to A&E.
If you notice any side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed here. You can also report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, which helps improve the safety of medicines.
Active ingredient: Estriol 1mg per gram of cream
Other ingredients: Octyldodecanol, cetyl palmitate, glycerol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, lactic acid, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, sodium hydroxide, purified water
Contains cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions like contact dermatitis in some people.
Ovestin cream is a prescription-only medicine and cannot be purchased over the counter. You will need a valid prescription from a doctor or qualified prescriber. You can request a prescription through Click2Pharmacy’s online consultation service.
Insomnia is not listed as a side effect of Ovestin cream in the patient information leaflet. If you are experiencing sleep disturbances while using Ovestin, it is worth speaking to your doctor, as this may be related to other menopausal symptoms rather than the cream itself.
Ovestin cream is designed for internal vaginal use. However, your doctor may advise you to apply it to the external vulval area in certain circumstances. Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist, and do not use it externally unless specifically directed to do so.
You shouldn’t stop using Ovestin without speaking to your doctor first. Even if your symptoms improve, stopping too early can cause them to return. Your doctor will review your treatment every 2 to 3 months and advise you on if and when it is appropriate to reduce or stop your dose.
Ovestin cream isn’t a steroid. It contains estriol, a naturally occurring female sex hormone (oestrogen). It works by replacing the oestrogen that naturally declines after menopause, rather than having any steroid-based action.
Ovestin cream is a localised treatment that works directly on the vaginal tissues and has very low absorption into the bloodstream. It is not designed to treat systemic menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes or night sweats. If you are experiencing these symptoms, speak to your doctor about systemic HRT options.
Ovestin cream and Vagifem are both local oestrogen treatments for vaginal atrophy, but they contain different active ingredients and come in different forms. Ovestin is an estriol cream, while Vagifem contains estradiol as a vaginal tablet. Neither is objectively better than the other – the right choice depends on your symptoms, preferences, and what your doctor recommends for you.
As a vaginal oestrogen cream, Ovestin is not a treatment for prolapse. However, because oestrogen helps maintain vaginal tissue strength and elasticity, it is sometimes used alongside other prolapse treatments to improve the condition of the vaginal tissues. If you have a prolapse, speak to your doctor about the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Mr Muhammad on 15th April 2026.
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