What is estriol, and how is compounded estriol different from an FDA-approved medication?

Estriol is one of the estrogen hormones the body makes. It has weaker estrogen activity than estradiol, another estrogen hormone. That does not mean estriol is risk-free. The dose, formula, and place where it is applied can affect how much reaches your bloodstream.

Compounded estriol may be prescribed as a vaginal cream or a skin cream. These forms are not interchangeable. A licensed physician in your state decides whether treatment is appropriate based on your symptoms, health history, and other medicines. Symptom relief is not guaranteed. Results vary.

Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for one patient and are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review these products for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Compounding may meet a specific medical need when an FDA-approved product is not appropriate.

Ask your physician why compounded estriol is being considered, what alternatives exist, and what follow-up you will need. The word “natural” does not mean a hormone is safer.