(BPT) - 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year! For many, the beginning of a new year is a time to reflect on the past year, make resolutions and most importantly, start updating your calendar with routine annual checkups with your primary care doctor, dentist and gynecologist.

For many postmenopausal women, it’s important to take a moment this New Year to focus on the symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy that they may be experiencing, including vaginal burning, itching and dryness, increased urgency in urination and painful sexual intercourse.While most postmenopausal women are aware of hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, fewer have heard of the symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy or may not be connecting these symptoms with a treatable, medical condition.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you’re not alone! In fact, up to one-half of women experience postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. Some women may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed discussing their postmenopausal symptoms, like painful sexual intercourse, and of course that’s understandable. But you don't have to suffer or feel uncomfortable with moderate to severe postmenopausal vaginal symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing the symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, you should talk with your doctor about your symptoms and ask about a treatment that's right for you and your lifestyle. Once you take the first step and start talking about your symptoms, you are on the path to finding the treatment option that works for you.

Get Treatment

There are available prescription treatment options for women experiencing postmenopausal vaginal symptoms. One easy to use treatment option to discuss with your doctor is ESTRING® (estradiol vaginal ring). ESTRING® is used after menopause to treat moderate to severe vaginal itching, burning and dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and painful urination due to urogenital atrophy.

ESTRING is a soft, flexible ring that is about 2 inches in diameter and treats moderate to severe symptoms of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. ESTRING contains a form of estrogen that works like your body's natural estrogen to treat these local symptoms.

Once inserted, ESTRING works to help relieve these symptoms by releasing a steady, low dose of estradiol for a 90-day treatment period. So after you insert one, you do not have to remember to insert it every day. When ESTRING is in place, you shouldn’t feel anything. If you do feel uncomfortable, the ring is probably not far enough inside. You can use your finger to gently push it further into your vagina. After talking to their doctors about their symptoms, women are talking; in a US study, 95% of women using ESTRING rated the product's comfort as “excellent” or “very good.” In the same study, 95% of patients reported ESTRING to be “easy” or “very easy” to use once inserted.

Estrogens increase the risk of cancer of the uterus. Estrogens should be used only as long as needed. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly (such as every 3 to 6 months) about continued use of estrogen-containing products like ESTRING. You should discuss the potential benefits and risks of ESTRING with your healthcare provider. Do not use ESTRING if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or have had cancer of the breast or uterus, had a stroke or heart attack, have or have had blood clots or liver problems, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

Who wants to spend more time thinking about their postmenopausal symptoms than they have to? Symptom relief can be convenient with a 90-day treatment option like ESTRING.

For more information on ESTRING, please see Important Safety Information or full Prescribing Information, including a Boxed Warning, and Patient Information on Estring.com.

Indication

ESTRING is used after menopause to treat moderate to severe vaginal itching, burning and dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and painful urination due to urogenital atrophy.

Important Safety Information

ESTRING should be removed after 90 days of continued use.

Do not use ESTRING if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or have had cancer of the breast or uterus, had a stroke or heart attack, have or have had blood clots or liver problems, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

The most frequently reported side effects are headaches, increased vaginal secretions, vaginal discomfort, abdominal pain, and genital itching.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following warning signs: breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, dizziness and faintness, changes in speech, severe headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in your legs, or changes in vision.

Carefully follow instructions for use. If you have difficulty removing ESTRING, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing and Patient Information, including Boxed Warning.