HOW DOES ESTROGEN THERAPY WORK?
A woman’s body generates less estrogen after menopause. This decrease in estrogen may cause the supporting tissues surrounding the bladder and urethra to deteriorate, weakening the tissues and perhaps exacerbating stress incontinence or urine leakage in women.
Applying low-dose topical estrogen to the vaginal and urinary tract in the form of a vaginal cream, an estrogen-containing ring, or a patch may help rejuvenate failing tissues and reduce some incontinence symptoms.
Topical estrogen might not be recommended if you have a history of breast cancer, uterine cancer or both. Talk with your doctor about the potential risks of estrogen therapy.
Combination hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin) isn’t the same as topical estrogen therapy and is no longer used to treat urinary incontinence. Oral estrogen replacement also is not the same as topical estrogen, and it might worsen incontinence symptoms.
SIDE EFFECTS
When used correctly, topical estrogen therapy typically doesn’t cause side effects.