Femring (Estradiol)

Do’s

• Before using Femring, read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist. This will help you understand how to use the medication properly and address any questions you may have. If you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider.
• Wash and dry your hands before handling the ring to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
• Insert the Femring high into the vagina as directed. The ring is typically left in place for 3 months and then removed and replaced with a new ring if the treatment is to be continued. Follow the dosing schedule carefully.
• The dosage of Femring is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Adhere to the prescribed dosage as determined by your healthcare provider.
• When properly inserted, you should not be able to feel the ring, and it should not interfere with sexual intercourse. If you experience discomfort or can feel the ring, it may indicate that the ring is not placed high enough. In such cases, gently push the ring higher with your finger.
• If the ring falls out of the vagina, rinse it with lukewarm water and reinsert it. Contact your healthcare provider if the ring falls out frequently. 
• When it's time to remove the ring, gently hook your finger through the ring and pull it out. Discard the used ring in the trash.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it worsens while using Femring.

Don’ts

• Do not leave the ring in place for longer than 3 months.
• Do not flush the used ring down the toilet.

Common Side Effects:

• Headache
• Breast tenderness or pain
• Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Stomach or abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fluid retention
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Reactions from inserting Femring such as burning, irritation, and itching

Serious Side Effects

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Dementia
• Breast cancer
• Cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb)
• Cancer of the ovary
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver problems
• Changes in thyroid hormone levels
• Enlargement of benign tumors of the uterus (fibroids) 

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects, and individuals may experience different reactions to the medication. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing potential side effects.

You should not use Femring if you have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, a bleeding disorder, if you will have major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Femring may interact with other drugs. Consult a healthcare provider before taking any drug, changing any diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. 

Inform your doctor if you have had or will be having surgery, or if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time, as these conditions increase the risk of getting blood clots, especially when using an estrogen product like Femring.

There is an increased risk of invasive breast cancer associated with estrogen use. Estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

If you have a uterus, talk with your healthcare provider about whether the addition of progestin is right for you to reduce the chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). See your healthcare provider right away if you develop vaginal bleeding while using Femring.

This is not an exhaustive list of warnings and precautions, and individuals should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on the use of Femring.