Gina 10mcg Vaginal Tablets

What are Gina Menopause Tablets?

Gina is a new low dose vaginal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is used to treat the common menopause symptom of vaginal atrophy. This can lead to the area feeling dry, sore, and itchy, and can cause painful sex due to a decrease in mucus production that otherwise lubricates the area.

What is menopause?

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. However, it comes in several stages and is officially diagnosed once you have gone 12 months without having a period. The three main stages include:

• Perimenopause: the time leading up to menopause when hormones start to decline and menstrual cycles become erratic and irregular. You may start to experience physical side effects such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, as well as mental changes including mood swings.

You can read more about perimenopause in our Signs of Perimenopause guide.

• Menopause: Menopause affects the majority of women between the ages of 45 and 55, and the transition from perimenopause to menopause can take anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Your periods will stop during this time, and you may continue to experience symptoms similar to those experienced during the perimenopause stage.

Read more about common menopause symptoms in our 34 Symptoms of Menopause Guide.

• Postmenopause: After one year of not having a period, you have reached the final stage of postmenopause. Your hormone levels will stay low, and you won't have a monthly period. You are unable to become pregnant because your ovaries have stopped producing eggs.

At which stage can Gina HRT Tablets be used?

Gina is used to treat vaginal atrophy symptoms in postmenopausal women over the age of 50, who have not had a period in at least a year. Before you begin using Gina, your pharmacist will ask about your personal and family medical history. They may also inquire about your menopause and the symptoms you have experienced. This is to ensure that Gina is appropriate for you and that you do not need to consult with your doctor before using Gina or any other treatments that may be more appropriate.

What causes vaginal atrophy?

Atrophic vaginitis (thinning, vaginal dryness, and inflammation of the vaginal walls) can occur when your body produces less oestrogen — a hormone that improves vaginal elasticity and natural moisture. Vaginal atrophy most commonly occurs after menopause. It not only makes intercourse painful for many women, but it also causes distressing urinary symptoms.

What are the symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy?

Almost half of all post-menopausal women experience vaginal atrophy due to low oestrogen levels. Some of the common symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:

• Dryness of the vagina
• Burning and/or itching of the vagina
• Pain during sex
• Spotting or bleeding
• Going to the bathroom more frequently
• Painful urination
• Burning during urination

It’s important to seek professional medical advice if you experience any of the above symptoms, as they may relate to another condition. However, if you are diagnosed with vaginal atrophy, treatments such as Gina hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets can provide vaginal relief and make sex more comfortable.

How do Gina HRT Tablets work?

Gina is a local form of low-dose HRT. They are vaginal dryness pessaries which are administered into the vagina, where the oestrogen is gradually released into the vaginal tissue. An increase in oestrogen will help ease post-menopausal vaginal symptoms so you can better manage discomfort, irritation and pain.

Alternatives to Gina Tablets

Continuous combined HRT treatment can also be a great option if you cannot use Gina tablets or prefer an alternative treatment. This involves taking oestrogen and progestogen on a daily basis with no breaks.

Women on long-term HRT should consider using topical treatments, such as gels or patches, because the risk of using these treatments long-term has been shown to be very low.

Alternative treatment options include:

• Elleste Solo Tablets
• Elleste Duet Tablets
• Elleste Duet Conti Tablets
• Evorel Patches
• Femoston
• Kliofem
• Kliovance
• Livial Tablets
• Novofem
• Premarin Tablets
• Premique Low Dose Tablets

Natural alternatives for managing vaginal atrophy include:

• Water-based lubricants to add moisture to the vaginal lining
• Vaginal moisturisers made specifically for addressing dryness

You can discuss your symptoms with your GP or pharmacist for further recommendations.