Generic Name: Femring (estradiol)
Femring Reviews
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Femring 0.1 is the only thing that has really worked for all my symptoms, especially moodiness, depression. After trying everything else, I was so pleased to find it. However, it definitely doesn't last for 90 days. I've notice the past year it has lasted 8 or 9 weeks at most. This round it lasted 6 weeks and I immediately know when it's not working. I literally feel terrible over night - hot flashes, irritable, depressed, food cravings. I'm desperate to somehow stock pile it! I wish the company making it could address this. But like so many women's health issues, it's not that important to anyone but us."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "My body does not like this ring - it is quite hard, large, and terribly uncomfortable, paid $100 for it, with insurance. Estradiol acetate, which is the kind of estradiol provided in this ring, has to pass through the liver, which is an inefficient way for the body to absorb. In reference to the second reviewer, Femring is a transdermal estrogen, and it does not have first-pass metabolism through the liver. Only oral estrogens do that. It also is not hard, and if placed at the top of a normal vagina (which expands - a hysterectomy cut vagina does not do as well), you won't know it is there. I have personally used this for over 10 years and have prescribed it to hundreds of patients. Over 90% loved it - except for the cost."
For Atrophic Vaginitis "This ring provided miraculous results for me. I had severe atrophy, which my GYN noticed when tissue was tearing and bleeding as he tried to do my pap smear. I didn't even know I had an issue. After a couple of months on the Femring, he reported my tissue looked healthy and wonderful, I had no side effects from it at all. I had to stop using it due to insurance not covering it but am now on Estring, which is the same thing, different brand, but insurance covers that one."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 72 years old and have been using Femring for over 5 years. I change it out every 75 days and have no hormone drop-off. I love it! Sex is amazing and pain free. Vaginal dryness is no longer an issue. The only side effect is breast tenderness and although that is unpleasant the benefits are worth it. The price is way high and I am fortunate to be a union member and my health insurance (Union Medicare Supplement) makes it affordable."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I'm at the end of my second dose of Femring after having both ovaries removed at 35. When I first went on Femring .1 mg daily, it was great. I had a couple of days after initial insertion that I felt edgy emotionally - but after day 4, that leveled off. Felt much better than oral estradiol. However, around day 60, my estrogen levels started to dive, and by day 80, I was back into full surgical meno. When I inserted the second ring... same as before. An initial surge of estradiol, but this time the ring started to tank around day 35. I'm on day 85 of the second ring, and my meno symptoms are unbearable. For me, this is not a 90-day med. Too bad - for 1-2 months, it's perfect. My insurance won't allow me to refill until day 90 - and $$$."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Had a hysterectomy at birth, so I have been on a HRT regimen since I was 12. I used all the usual types, pills which did nothing, patches while providing a good steady dose burned my skin and never stay on that well, creams never tried. Femring seems to be the best of the options, though not perfect. With initial insertion, I get a surge of estrogen and feel almost giddy, but can definitely tell when the ring has stopped working and it does not last 90 days. If insurance would let you replace it at two months it would actually work well. Sex is way better with the ring than the patch as dryness was still an issue on the patch, however, it can pull out and that can be painful. Also, if you aren’t careful it can be pushed out during a bowel movement. I found the best way to remove it is in the shower, do a deep squat and bear down and that should push it further down the vagina making it easier to remove."
"I have been on this medicine since 1998, and as long as I replace it on time, there are no issues. Even at 53, if it is not replaced on time, I start getting agitated and hot flashes start. I always joke that it is not for my benefit that I take this, but it is for the benefit of those that are around me that I do. My only gripe is the outrageous expense."
For Atrophic Urethritis "Completely took care of my urinary burning and frequency. Used it for 2 years. Insurance changed, and I paid $385/ring for a year anyway. Just switched to estring, ($95) since I retired, which is rigid, causes pain, and doesn't work. Comparing Femring to Estring and which is best, I will go back to Femring."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am 54 years old; I have been using Femring for more than two years. Prescribed 0.5 mg; changed the ring every three months. This past month, I developed intermittent abdominal, low back, and side pain with occasional vaginal discharge; escalated into chronic abdominal pain with fever, chills, nausea, and skin rash, with constant discharge. I removed and discarded the Femring. Pain, fever, and chills quickly subsided; discharge decreased. White blood cell count had escalated. Apparently, my body was rejecting the ring as it was trying to embed itself. My gynecologist has prescribed an antibiotic suppository treatment for infection. It has been four days since I removed the ring; I have been on the antibiotic for only one night and have not experienced the low back, side, and abdominal pain as before removing it."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am a 70 year old woman that has been using this for the past seven years. It is wonderful but it doesn't last the full 90 days as advertised. I change it out at 75 days and find I have no drop-off in estrogen. My insurance allows and the $100 copay is worth it. My sex life is as great as it was prior to menopause and you don't have to remove it for intercourse. I highly recommend this medication!"
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had my hysterectomy when I was 40. I am now 66 year old and this product has been a saving grace for my menopausal symptoms! The other meds just weren’t for me and I have tried them all. I wonder why some of the folks say it is hard and painful - once I put it in, I never feel it. The only bad thing is the cost. Even with insurance, I still have to pay well over $200 for this. I keep looking for a coupon, but it’s not there."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 23, I am now 45. I have taken the pills, shots, creams, patches and this is the only thing that actually works for all my needs. I'm so thankful. It's worth the money!!!"
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was placed on Femring to help with my menopausal symptoms without causing harm to my liver. I was diagnosed with a liver disorder and this has ben a blessing for me and relieved all my symptoms. It can be difficult to insert at 1st but no different than a diaphragm. I have no discomfort or pain and cannot tell it is there. The only downside is the cost."
For Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 74 and have been using Femring for 9 years with wonderful results. I am able to have a regular and full sex life since enduring the pain of vaginal dryness after menopause. The only negative is the cost. A ring lasts 90 days and the over-the counter-cost is $500 +. With my insurance and manufacturers' coupons, it is an affordable $25 co-payment. Without my Medicare supplement, it would be unaffordable to me."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been using this for about a year and a half. It has been a long process to have sex again without pain but it is getting better all the time. A good part of this is because of Femring. I'm able to have an orgasm again as well! Now with this and the help of acupuncture I am able to enjoy sex again. Still working on the libido part. Can't wait to really want sex again. Love my husband terribly and want to keep him happy and want the sex part of our relationship back like the good old days!"
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I just started using Fem Ring, after having tried expensive patches that irriatated my skin, messy compounded creams, and drops. I already have a yeast infection, which never happens, plus low back and abdominal pain. Outrageous in this day and age, that no enterprising pharma can come up with an estradiol without such hassles. My body does not like this ring - it is quite hard, large, and terribly uncomfortable, paid $100 for it, WITH insurance. Estradiol acetate, which is the kind of estradiol provided in this ring, has to pass through the liver, which is an inefficient way for the body to absorb. I expected better from Warner Chilcott. I am returning to my compounded drops, one drop on the pulse, twice daily, $25 for a two month supply."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have used Femring 0.05 for many years. After my hysterectomy, I used estradiol tablets but they really didn't work well and I didn't like taking oral hormones. So my doctor recommended Femring. What a difference, no more hot flashes, no night sweats, no moodiness. My insurance covered it and yes there is a high co-pay but my sanity was worth it. THEN, out of the blue with no warning I go to refill it last December (2021) and BCBSTx took it off their formulary list completely. So I tried suppositories, then eString. DIDN'T WORK. I called and called and finally BCBSTx said I could appeal and possibly get it covered, I had to have my Doctor document on a special form, submit WITH my patient notes stating when and what other med was tried. It took 5 months! So I ended up paying full price for one cycle. Then HALLELUJAH it was approved. There is a coupon to help with co-pays but only if you have prescription drug coverage. I'm going to try to use it this month."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "For the first 3 months things were great. On my second Femring I began to get a rash on my forehead and neck. My neck was especially red, itchy and dry. At first I thought it might be due to something else. Perhaps Eczema or psoriasis, so I was buying all kinds of creams and nothing worked. So I double checked my only prescription which is the femring and low and behold one of the possible side effects is a skin rash. It's too soon to know for sure. I hope it goes away."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I absolutely LOVED this drug, until the insurance companies place in a different tier, requiring me to pay $240.00 every three months!!! I'm still hoping for a generic, so I can resume the medication."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was only using Femring for 1 month and started bleeding and cramping. I had rash on my neck?? Now my GYN wants to do a endometrial biopsy??? I immediately took the ring out and symptoms went away. I feel like this just isn't for me and biopsy is a little over the top. Anyone else have similar experiences?"
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have used the Femring for several years and it works well - for about 8-9 weeks. I’m at 9 weeks today and had night sweats all night long last night despite my Dr giving me a .25 mg Vivelle patch for breakthrough symptoms. The only reason I keep using it is because it is the only HRT product that helps (despite its expense and its shortened dose effectiveness, e.g: less than 90 days.). I also use the manufacturer’s coupon to lower the cost, since even with insurance this medication is very expensive."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I used the Femring for over 6 years, with almost fantastic results. It was so easy to forget it was there. Took care of the hot flashes immediately thank heavens but still needed to use Premarin cream on occasion for an vulva itch. Problem was my insurance just kept upping my copay then finally just quit paying for it which made the price over $700 which I refuse to pay. Now started using Imvexxy and not thrilled so far. Thank god the itch has disappeared but the hot flashes are back with a vengeance!! Still waiting for my body to adjust..."
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am on my third year of taking Femring (started August of 2017) and the only side effect was a kind of heavy "period" after the first year (August of 2018). I had an ultrasound taken and no problems since then. The best thing about it is you put it in for three months and you cannot tell it's there, it's not like a tampon or anything, it's really comfortable and taking it out is pretty easy, too. I think more women should take it if they can, it's really safe and easy and it's good for the bones (and, imo, the brain and heart)!"
For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I’ve been using Femring for many years & absolutely love it. It controls hot flashes, mental fog , irritability , vaginal dryness & anything else menopause related. Easy to insert & very comfortable, don’t know it’s there. I’ve tried several times through the years to stop using it & just give my body a break, so far menopause creeps back."
For Atrophic Vaginitis "I went into full Menopause at 45 due to radiation for colon cancer. I did not know that was going to happen so suddenly. I've been on Estring for over a year with ok results. Still extremely painful intercourse, sweats and hit flashes. My Gyno switched me to Femring this month. Hopefully it works better for me. I will update in a few weeks and let everyone know how its working for me. Take care!"
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Related treatment guides
- Postmenopausal Symptoms
- Atrophic Urethritis
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