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EstroGel and Pregnancy
EstroGel should not be used during pregnancy, as the full risks of using this medication during pregnancy are not known. Also, EstroGel is only approved for use in menopausal women, and there is no legitimate medical reason for pregnant women to use this medication. If you are taking EstroGel and pregnancy occurs, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Can I Use EstroGel During Pregnancy?
EstroGel® (estradiol gel) is a prescription estrogen medication that is only approved for menopausal women. There is also no accepted medical reason for pregnant women to use EstroGel.Estrogen medications (including EstroGel) are not effective for preventing miscarriages or any other problems in pregnancy.
EstroGel and Pregnancy Category X
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category X is given to medications that should not be used during pregnancy, usually due to serious problems that could occur (such as miscarriages or severe birth defects).Although EstroGel is a Category X medication, it does not appear to increase the risk of birth defects or other problems. However, because there is no accepted, legitimate medical reason for pregnant women to use EstroGel and because the risks are not fully understood, it should not be used during pregnancy.
EstroGel and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts
EstroGel is not approved for any use in pregnant women. If you accidentally used EstroGel for a while before realizing you were pregnant, it will probably not cause any problems (although you should discuss this with your healthcare provider). If you think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD