Blissel Gel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Blissel Gel is a vaginal gel containing estriol, a form of oestrogen, used by postmenopausal women to treat vaginal dryness and irritation caused by low oestrogen levels. It is applied locally with an applicator and works by restoring the vaginal lining, natural microflora, and normal vaginal pH. It is intended for local use with minimal effects elsewhere in the body.

What is Blissel Gel

Blissel Gel is a vaginal gel containing estriol, a form of oestrogen. It is used by women going through menopause to treat vaginal dryness and irritation caused by low oestrogen levels.

Blissel Gel uses

• Local treatment of vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy
• Relieves vaginal dryness and itching
• Eases painful intercourse caused by thinning of the vaginal lining
• Treats vaginal dryness after menopause
• Treats symptoms of vaginal atrophy
• Helps reduce local irritation associated with estrogen deficiency

Benefits of Blissel Gel

• Replenishes local estrogen levels in the vaginal and vulvar tissues to restore moisture
• Promotes regeneration of the vaginal epithelium, increasing elasticity and natural secretions
• Delivers a low dose of estriol directly to the target tissue with minimal entry into the bloodstream
• Helps restore the vagina's normal acidic pH to protect against local infections

How Blissel Gel works

Estriol attaches to estrogen receptors mainly in the bladder and vaginal tissue. This helps restore the vaginal lining, normal microflora, and normal vaginal pH, relieving dryness and irritation, while having little effect on the womb lining or breast tissue.

Blissel Gel dosage

Use the applicator to insert the gel into the vagina, preferably before going to bed. Lie down with knees bent before inserting the applicator. Insert the end of the applicator deep into the vagina and slowly push the plunger all the way down. After use, pull the plunger out of the cannula and rinse both parts well with warm, clean water so they can be reused, or dispose of a single-use applicator as instructed. Wash your hands before and after using the gel.

Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed one. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is more than 12 hours late, in which case skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Apply the gel at the same time each day to help build a routine.

Available forms and strengths

• Vaginal gel (50 micrograms estriol per applicator dose)

Side effects of Blissel Gel

Common

• Itching, burning, or local irritation in or around the vagina, especially during the first few weeks of treatment

Serious

• Low abdominal or pelvic pain
• Headache
• Vaginal candidiasis (thrush/yeast infection)
• Skin irritation or genital rash
• Breast tenderness or minor vaginal spotting/bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding that should be reported to a doctor

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use if you have, have had, or are suspected of having breast cancer or a hormone-sensitive tumour such as womb cancer.
• Do not use if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding or untreated thickening of the womb lining.
• Do not use if you have had blood clots in the veins (such as in the legs or lungs) or a recent clot-related illness like a heart attack.
• Do not use if you have a known blood clotting disorder, porphyria, or are allergic to estriol or any ingredient in the gel.
• This gel should not be combined with oestrogen treatments taken by mouth or through the skin for whole-body effect, because the combined risks have not been studied.
• The applicator may cause minor injury to the vagina, especially if the vaginal tissue is very thin and fragile.
• Women with a personal or family history of certain conditions, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, risk factors for blood clots, high blood pressure, liver disorders, diabetes, migraine, epilepsy, or asthma, should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Taking too much by accident, or swallowing the gel, is unlikely to cause serious harm, but you should still get medical advice.
• Blissel should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using it, stop treatment right away.
• Blissel should not be used while breastfeeding.
• Women with severe kidney problems should be watched closely, as estriol levels in the blood may rise higher than usual.
• Blissel should not be used by women with active liver disease or a history of liver disease unless liver function tests have returned to normal. Treatment should be stopped if jaundice or worsening liver function occurs.
• No known issues have been reported with alcohol use.
• This medicine does not affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store below 25°C.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using Blissel and see a doctor right away if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, a big rise in blood pressure, a new type of severe headache, or if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you have any unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting while using this gel, as it needs to be checked out.
• Contact your doctor if you feel sick or vomit, or notice vaginal bleeding a few days after accidentally using too much gel or swallowing it.
• Tell your doctor if side effects like itching, irritation, or vaginal bleeding continue or bother you.

Alternatives

• Ovestin vaginal cream
• Vagifem vaginal tablets
• Estring vaginal ring
• Gina vaginal tablets