Side effects
Side effects1
Low dose locally-acting vaginal oestrogens such as Gina are associated with a small range of side effects.
The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) should be consulted for a full list of side effects and further details of risk estimates.
Commonly reported side effects include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding, discharge or discomfort
It should be noted that serious side effects are rare.
Some side effects that have been reported with systemic HRT use include:
- Ovarian cancer
- Venous thromboembolism
- Stroke
- Gall bladder disease
- Some skin and subcutaneous disorders
- An increased risk of probable dementia if women start using HRT over the age of 65 years
It is thought that the risks associated with locally-acting vaginal oestrogens such as Gina are lower than those associated with systemic HRTs, although it is not known for sure.
Women must stop using Gina and seek immediate medical help if they experience a serious allergic reaction or develop any signs of a blood clot (such as painful swelling/redness of legs, sudden chest pain and/or difficulty breathing).
Women should also stop using Gina and speak to their GP if they experience any of they following while taking Gina:
- They develop a contraindication to the use of Gina
- Any new vaginal bleeding or spotting
- New vaginal itching
- Vaginal infections that cannot be treated with products from pharmacy
- Symptoms of endometriosis that have come back
Women should seek prompt medical advice from their GP if they experience:
- Yellowing of skin/whites of the eyes
- Significant increase in blood pressure
- New migraine-type headaches
- Pregnancy, which Gina is contraindicated for
Women should be encouraged to report any side effects to their pharmacist, another healthcare professional or directly via the Yellow Card Scheme.