The Estring is a diaphragm-like device that releases low levels of estrogen into the vagina. Purposes of the Estring are to treat vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy (i.e., thinning of the lining of the vagina) that are caused by insufficient production of estrogen in post-menopausal women.
After the Estring is inserted deeply into the upper part of the vagina, the device needs to be removed and replaced with a new Estring every 3 months. Consult your gynecologist to determine whether use of an Estring is appropriate for you.
Opinions vary about the safety of the Estring for breast cancer survivors. Some doctors feel that the estrogen released remains localized and, therefore, will not cause any problems for breast cancer survivors. However, other doctors think that the estrogen released can get into the bloodstream and increase the risk of cancer recurrence (i.e., re-occurrence). If you are a breast cancer survivor who is considering using an Estring, be sure to discuss it first with your oncologist and gynecologist.
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