Vaginal Estrogen
Without the wait
Relief for vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex, urinary symptoms, and recurrent UTIs—reviewed online by a double board-certified OB/GYN and Urogynecologist.
Online medical evaluation: $59
Generic medication may cost as little as $15 through Cost Plus Drugs
Available to eligible patients in Oregon, Washington, and California.
A prescription with one year of refills provided when medically appropriate.
Symptoms vaginal estrogen may help
Vaginal estrogen is about more than dryness.
Declining estrogen can affect both vaginal and urinary tissues. Treatment may help with:
Vaginal dryness, burning, or irritation
Pain with sex
Urinary urgency and frequency
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Urinary incontinence or leakage
Symptoms of a vaginal bulge or prolapse
Who experiences low-estrogen symptoms?
Low-estrogen vaginal and urinary changes can occur during breastfeeding, perimenopause, menopause, and after certain medical or surgical treatments.
How is vaginal estrogen used?
Vaginal estrogen is applied directly to the vagina. It is available in several forms, including vaginal cream, tablets or inserts, and a vaginal ring.
Estrogen used in the vagina does not absorb into your body; it is meant to treat the vagina, urethra, and bladder tissues directly. The lack of absorption to the rest of the body allows it to be a very safe treatment for most women. You can use it with birth control and other hormone replacement—this is not too much estrogen.
Vaginal estrogen works gradually. Some women notice improvement within the first few weeks, while continued use may be needed to receive the full benefit and keep symptoms from returning
Is vaginal estrogen safe?
Low-dose vaginal estrogen is different from systemic hormone therapy. Because it is applied directly to vaginal tissue, only a small amount is typically absorbed into the bloodstream.
For many women, it is a safe and effective treatment for vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex, urinary symptoms, and recurrent urinary tract infections. A medical evaluation is still important to make sure treatment is appropriate for you.
Vaginal estrogen may not be appropriate without additional evaluation if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, a history of an estrogen-sensitive cancer, or vaginal bleeding after you have gone 12 months with no period (postmenopausal bleeding).
What about breast feeding?
Breastfeeding naturally lowers estrogen levels and can contribute to vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex, urinary discomfort, and pelvic-floor symptoms.
Vaginal estrogen is a safe way to improve these symptoms so you can achieve your breast-feeding goals.
Why About Time?
Despite vaginal estrogen being safe and evidence based, many doctors do not offer it to patients or are not comfortable prescribing.
About Time was created to allow women to access this life changing and safe treatment, without the hassle, gaslighting, waiting, and runaround.
Your screening form will be reviewed by Kerrie Adams, MD—a double board-certified OB/GYN and Urogynecologist with specialized expertise in vaginal, urinary, and pelvic health.
How About Time Works
Complete the secure assessment
After payment, you will proceed directly to the online medical and safety assessment. Complete the questions about your symptoms, health history, and medications, and select the pharmacy where you would like your prescription sent.
Step 1Purchase your online evaluation
Select Start My Evaluation to enter our secure medical platform. After creating an account or signing in, you will pay the $59 evaluation fee.
The fee covers your medical assessment, clinician review, and prescription when medically appropriate. Medication is purchased separately from the pharmacy.
Step 2Your prescription is sent
If you meet criteria, a prescription with up to one year of refills will be sent directly to the pharmacy you selected on your assessment form. You may choose a local pharmacy, use your insurance benefits, or select a lower-cost cash-pay option such as Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs.
Step 3Your information is reviewed
Dr. Kerrie Adams, a double board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist, will personally review your information to determine whether vaginal estrogen is safe and appropriate for you.
The evaluation is asynchronous, so a video or office visit is not required.
Step 4Prefer to speak with a doctor?
The online vaginal estrogen evaluation is designed for women who are comfortable completing a secure medical assessment without an appointment. If you would prefer a more comprehensive conversation about your symptoms and treatment options, video visits are also available.
Cash-Pay Video Visit Through About Time
Meet with Dr. Kerrie Adams for a comprehensive discussion of vaginal estrogen, menopause symptoms, or other hormone replacement options. This visit allows more time to review your concerns, medical history, treatment preferences, and questions together.
Available to women located in Oregon, Washington, and California.
$150
Oregon Video Visit Using Insurance
Women located in Oregon who prefer a video visit and would like to use their health insurance may schedule through UroLuxe Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery.
Insurance coverage, deductibles, copayments, and other patient costs depend on your individual health plan.
Meet Dr Kerrie Adams
Dr. Kerrie Adams is a double board-certified OB/GYN and Urogynecologist dedicated to improving women’s access to medical care and addressing persistent gaps within the healthcare system. This work began during her service as a Navy physician, when she created Operation PINC, a walk-in birth control clinic at Naval Medical Center, San Diego. The program was so successful that the Navy implemented similar programs at medical facilities around the world.
Dr. Adams has also participated in international humanitarian medical work in Ethiopia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, Syria, and the Philippines. She is the founder of Core & Floor, UroLuxe Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, and About Time—three practices created to make specialized women’s healthcare more accessible, responsive, and centered on the needs of women throughout every stage of life.
FAQs
What happens if I do not meet criteria?
1
If you don’t meet criteria for a prescription, you can move forward with a video visit to discuss further or receive a refund. Cash pay video visits are $150, women in Oregon can book a video visit with insurance with our partner practice UroLuxe.
How much will the medication cost?
2
The cost depends on the formulation, pharmacy, and insurance coverage. Generic vaginal estrogen cream may cost as little as approximately $15 and vaginal tablets about $80 through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, plus shipping. Pharmacy prices are subject to change.
Is vaginal estrogen the same as systemic hormone replacement therapy?
3
No. Vaginal estrogen acts primarily on vaginal and urinary tissues and generally results in much lower systemic absorption than estrogen delivered through a patch, pill, gel, or injection. It is not intended to treat hot flashes, night sweats, or other whole-body menopause symptoms.
Do I need progesterone with vaginal estrogen?
4
Progesterone is not required when standard low-dose vaginal estrogen is used as directed. Your medical history and prescribed formulation will be reviewed before treatment is recommended.