Gynest

What is Gynest?

Gynest contains estriol, a synthetic hormone that belongs to a group of medicines called hormone replacement therapy. It treats vaginal dryness, a condition that affects both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The symptoms include discomfort or pain during sex, increased frequency of urinary tract infections, and itching or soreness around your vagina. These symptoms can often be helped by using vaginal moisturisers, lube during sex and unperfumed products to prevent irritation, but if hormonal changes are the cause of vaginal dryness, then HRT might be prescribed.

How does Gynest work?

Estriol (the active ingredient in Gynest) is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring female hormone, oestrogen. It's weaker than oestrogen and shorter-acting.

Vaginal dryness often occurs because of low oestrogen production, which causes your vaginal epithelium (inner lining) to thin. This can then lead to symptoms like pain during sex. When estriol is applied topically, it treats these symptoms by stimulating the proliferation (growth of cells) in your vaginal epithelium. It also restores and maintains the pH of your vagina, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.

What doses of Gynest are there?

Gynest is available as a 1mg/g cream. This means that every gram contains 0.1% of the active ingredient, estriol. It comes in a tube along with an applicator you insert into your vagina. Each evening, use one application of Gynest cream until your symptoms improve. After this, use it twice a week.

How to use Gynest

Gynest cream comes in a tube, along with a long applicator which you insert into your vagina. The tube can be screwed onto the plastic applicator, helping you put the right amount of cream in your vagina. Gynest is used daily until your symptoms improve. Your clinician will tell you more about which dose you should use.

To use the cream:

• Remove the cap from the tube and pierce it open.
• Screw the tube onto the applicator (the side without a plunger).
• Squeeze the tube so the applicator is completely filled with cream. This will push the plunger out.
• Unscrew the tube from the applicator.
• Lie down on your back with your knees bent and spread apart.
• Gently insert the open end of the applicator (not the plunge end) into your vagina.
• Push the plunger firmly but gently, emptying the cream into your vagina. Make sure the plunger is pushed completely.
• Remove the applicator while making sure the plunger is pressed down completely.
• Wash your hands after application.
• Use a sanitary pad to avoid your clothes getting stained with the cream

After application:

After each use, wash the applicator thoroughly.

• Pull apart the plunger from the tube with a firm pull.
• Clean with soap and warm water.
• Put the applicator back together by inserting the plunger inside the tube.

If you break your applicator, you can typically get a new one from your local pharmacy.

How long does Gynest take to work?

Gynest takes a couple of weeks to relieve the symptoms of vaginal dryness. During the first couple of weeks, use the cream daily. After your symptoms improve, use the cream twice a week to prevent the symptoms returning.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Gynest?

If you forget a dose of estriol cream, use it as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day, don't use it. Estriol should only be used once a day.

If you accidentally use more cream than you should, wash it out immediately. Using too much can cause side effects such as breast tenderness, nausea and spotting. If you get any of these symptoms, contact your clinician.