AIBU to wish I had known sooner about vaginal oestrogen cream?

I got a lot of breast cysts when on HRT so came off it as was worried, and they were also painful and had to have them drained on a reasonably regular basis.

If you have to get GP to prescribe this, do they need to have a rummage down there or do they accept your word it’s all a bit grim!

It’s a cream rather than gel. Very low dose and doesn’t enter the system in significant quantities.
Might be worth interrogating the idea that you can’t take systemic HRT. Practice in this area is changing. Studies of long term HRT users are showing a lower incidence of breast cancer.

Ovestin here. Seems to absorb well.

I can’t have HRT due to cancer but do use Estriol cream. Very safe and life changing.

Yes, half and half mixed with normal moisturiser. Game changer!

Agreed the applicator is a faff and likely to become a barrier to consistent use. Finger much better. Rub it in a bit inside and out to include labia, urethra etc. apparently you don’t need to go far in. (TMI but bum hole too if you ever get tearing / discomfort around there). It really is a multi purpose miracle.

Can’t have women fingering and rubbing their vulvas now can we🤔

That is my method also. Much easier and quicker and no cleaning the applicator either. Sorry TMI (but in the interests of passing on info!) I use finger instead of the applicator. I'm late 60s so am using it primarily to stop weeing every five minutes and UTI prevention. So by massaging the bone between vagina and the front it really helps the urethra and the wee bits down there. Obviously you can go in higher if you want, I don't need to, my method works for me. I also smear a bit all around the vulva too, just to be sure ha ha!

I use Ovesse you can get in Boots but you have to do a consultation with them.

Though I do have a long-term urinary condition, this was a life changer for me. I was advised to use it for a period of weeks every night, then I changed to twice weekly. If symptoms returned, do a long treatment again

It’s worked wonders making my vulva and vagina plump and moist so can’t do any harm on my face. Several health care professionals on social media recommend it. I don’t spend enough time studying my face to tell you for sure but my lips feel plumper.
the evidence for UTIs and dryness is overwhelming and I think women should be handed it out after 40. There would be fewer days off / hospital admissions over time for UTIs and even fracture. I read that many hip fractures are due to older women dashing to the toilet. Then there’s pelvic organ prolapse. A lot of late life trouble could be warded off I reckon. But here in midlife it’s a tremendous boost to your sex life and wellbeing.

if you are paying for your HRT
you can get a NHS pre pay prescription for HRT for £20 for a year and you can get up to 9 HRT items every month

I use this estradiol cream and intrarosa along with HRT

after getting chronic uti for 18 months
within a week of starting it they stopped and I haven’t had a single one since 2 years on

Yes, isthismylifenow, I was using the pessary at night but it still didn't always stick. I followed all the instructions to no avail.

I agree with pp about the cream. The applicator is a faff, I don't bother with it. Also, putting a large blob of cream in one place, it's more likely to drain out when the body warms it up a bit. I the cream on my finger, make sure its rubbed round inside, wash hands. Easier to do it at a time that suits me (after my morning shower suits me much better than night time) and it doesn't all come out again. Game changer.

I had hormone receptive breast cancer but am able to use oestrogen cream. Oncologist tells me it stays very localised (within the tissues) so does not impact recurrence. Same might apply to you.

I am post menopausal and bought my own after reading about it on here. I am so thankful. I had recently been examined twice for another vulval issue and neither Dr had mentioned it.

Oh, apologies from pp it seemed like a prescription was needed for Vagifem there.

Could I suggest that those who are battling to get from GP go and buy a box. When I live they come in a box of 18, so initially that would last 3 weeks as it needs to be used nightly for two weeks to start, but after its twice a week, so that one box lasts 2.5 months.

I took the fluconazole tablets for 4-5 months. It cleared it up (it always does wirh just a tablet or 2) but always comes back the following month (possibly also linked to sex).
I keep things under control now wirh boric acid suppositories, but I was wondering if it was time to take estrogen cream.

It is available OTC from a pharmacy - in person or online.

Does it help with wrinkles then or just general dryness? What made you you start using it on your face? All new to me. Even the cream in the first place. I'm guessing it helps with discomfort during sex? Currently using Vagisil products but costs a fortune! TIA

Agree with the uncomfortable feeling - I felt like I was constantly brewing a UTI, general low level pelvic pain, mild period cramps.

I have recently been diagnosed with a very mild prolapse and again, that is caused in part by not keeping your vaginal tissue healthy and strong. Prolapse is so common in women over the age of 50 and if left unchecked can cause incontinence and lots of other issues.

Thank you.

I’m 50, been on systemic HRT for 18 months and on the back of a horrendous UTI I’ve just started Ovesse cream and boy is it making a difference already. The main infection cleared up with antibiotics but I was left with the highly uncomfortable feeling, almost like I’ve been riding a bike too long, but it doesn’t hurt to pee so assume no infection. Google searches led me to try ovesse cream.

I ordered from an online pharmacy but when I get the chance I’ll speak to my wonderful GP about also getting the pressaries - online wouldn’t let me, said to speak to GP.

I gave up with the applicator after the first use, I just splodge about a cm on my finger and stick it up there and rub the remaining on my vulva (hence thinking doubling up with pessaries which is a different formulation I think? would be a good thing)

Honestly a game changer.

It comes with an applicator - if you've ever used canesten for thrush it's just like that. Very easy to insert. You can also use it externally but that's not going to address the UTI issue.

Same.

I had a hysterectomy aged 44, was experiencing menopausal symptoms within 2 years of that, and had a long and arduous battle to get HRT. Patches helped but not with the dryness, itchiness, repeated UTIs. Vaginal atrophy or genito-urinary syndrome of menopause is a real thing, it's permanent, it's not something you can fix with a vegan diet, tai chi or positive thinking. And once you're on estrogen cream, you will be for life.

The general standard of knowledge about menopause among most GPs is woeful. Really poor.