Gina

Gina HRT tablets are a form of local vaginal hormone replacement therapy. You use the provided applicators to insert the tablets directly into your vagina to help ease menopause symptoms in that area, such as irritation or dryness.

Gina vaginal tablets are a form of oestrogen-only HRT, containing only estradiol, which is a type of oestrogen. These treatments are usually most suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy. This is because the higher oestrogen levels can raise the risk of certain conditions, like breast cancer or blood clots, in women who still have their uterus.

Since Gina is used directly in the vagina rather than taken as a tablet or skin patch, only a small amount enters your bloodstream. This means the likelihood of experiencing side effects with Gina is considered lower compared to systemic HRT. However, the only side effect that is definitely known to have a reduced risk is the increased chance of developing breast cancer, provided you haven't had it before.

As women age, the hormone levels in their bodies start to shift. During the menopausal transition, the ovaries naturally produce less of two hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. In the years before menopause, you might experience changes in your menstrual cycle, hot flushes, and other symptoms. This stage is called perimenopause.

Menopause is officially reached 12 months after your last period. After this time, lower hormone levels might cause symptoms like vaginal dryness and soreness. Gina tablets deliver oestrogen directly to the area to replace the hormones your body has stopped making, which helps ease vaginal discomfort.

Gina estradiol tablets are intended solely for women who are postmenopausal, over the age of 50, and haven't had a period for more than a year.

Typically, HRT treatments that only contain oestrogen are advised for women who have had a hysterectomy. Women who still have their uterus can use these treatments, but they need to be combined with progesterone. This is because raising oestrogen levels without also increasing progesterone can increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancer, among other health issues.

Since Gina menopause tablets are used directly in the vagina, they are thought to have a lower risk of these side effects. This makes them suitable for women who haven't had a hysterectomy.

This treatment is only available as the Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablet. Previously, there were other vaginal estradiol tablets with a higher dose of 25mcg, like Vagifem 25mcg. However, this higher dose has been discontinued following medical advice recommending that women use the lowest effective dose of oestrogen. Studies showed that the 10mcg tablets were just as effective as the 25mcg ones.

As Gina tablets have a very low dose of oestrogen, you can take them without needing a prescription from your doctor.

You can obtain Gina 10mcg tablets from UK pharmacies following an assessment by a clinician. It's important to discuss with your pharmacist the benefits and risks of using Gina every three months.

There are other local HRT options similar to Gina. One of these is Vagifem, a vaginal HRT treatment that contains estradiol. It is also available as a 10mcg tablet that you insert using an applicator, much like Gina. However, Vagifem might be a good choice for women under 50 or those who had their last period within the past year.

You can also use topical treatments like creams and gels, such as Ovestin or Estriol Cream. These are applied inside the vagina using an applicator and might be a better option than tablets for some individuals.

Gina tablets are used directly in the vagina to ease symptoms of vaginal atrophy, like irritation, dryness, and discomfort. Unlike other HRT treatments, such as oral tablets, skin creams, or patches, which are systemic and work throughout the entire body, Gina tablets target the local area.

Since Gina delivers oestrogen directly to where it's needed, it probably doesn't carry the same risks as systemic HRT treatments. However, the only side effect with a confirmed reduced risk is developing breast cancer in those who haven't had it before. Long-term studies to confirm reduced risks of other side effects haven't been done yet.

Research indicates that compared to a placebo, individuals using Gina notice an improvement in their vaginal symptoms after 12 weeks. Gina contains a lower dose than other oestrogen-only HRT pessaries. However, in a study involving 230 menopausal women, those taking 10mcg estradiol tablets experienced similar results to those taking 25mcg tablets, with no significant differences between the two groups.

As with any medication, there's a possibility you might encounter some side effects from Gina HRT treatment. The side effects of Gina HRT include:

However, although it's not certain, it's believed that the risk of these conditions is lower compared to systemic HRT treatments.