When applied to facial skin, does estrogen ointment have systemic effects?
We examined cytological vaginal smears of 17 women before and after three months of dermal estrogen (1 g of 0.01% estradiol ointment or 0.3% estriol ointment once daily), applied to the face for dermatological indications. The mean age was 57.1 +/- 7.6 years (range from 46 to 66). Seven women had estrogenic smears (more than 10% superficial cells) before therapy. Nine women were treated with 0.01% estradiol ointment and 8 were treated with 0.3% estriol ointment. Both groups had gynecological examinations including cervical and vaginal smears before and after treatment and also monthly measurements of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin and estradiol levels. Serum hormone levels and the appearance of vaginal smears showed no significant change during treatment.
Kainz
C
C
2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna, School of Medicine, Austria.
Gitsch
G
G
Stani
J
J
Breitenecker
G
G
Binder
M
M
Schmidt
J B
JB
D000368:Aged; D002979:Climacteric / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004964:Estriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D009824:Ointments; D004958:Estradiol; D004964:Estriol