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

If it gives you thrush its most likely because the ph of your vagina isn't acid enough. I had this.
I took a thrush tablet and started taking probiotics first women by Optibac and that sorted if out.
Apparently post meno (and earlier) a lack of oestrogen changes the ph of the vagina and makes if more prone to thrush.

Yanbu, its amazing stuff and I spread the word about the greatness of vaginal oestrogen whenever I can. Also intrarosa is good too.

I really should be talked about more. I only discovered it by accident after having a hysteroscopy for post menopause bleeding and the gynae told me I had early vaginal atrophy and to ask the gp for a prescription.

It's shocking local hrt isn't talked about as much as systemic hrt !!!

My gynaecologist friend says all women should be using it from peri onwards. It’s not just about dryness. Many women don’t suffer from dryness but would still benefit from vaginal oestrogen.

It’s essential to maintain genitourinary health in general.

Do you have a mirena coil? I had recurrent thrush and similar symptoms as you but haven't had any since getting it removed and replaced with copper. I had the same problem when I was on the pill... For 10 years!!! Turns out I just can't handle the synthetic hormones!

I’m the same age and had terrible urgency when I needed to go and it has made the world of difference. My GP readily suggested it and prescribed. The first few times I used it was quite painful and stingy but apparently that proves that it’s working and I needed it in the first place. But persevere it’s so worth it!

Same but I am late 30s and had problems for years! It is a game changer for me

Every gp and nurse I’ve seen about menopause has checked I’m on it….i use the pessaries, some cream on the outside and moisturiser. In my latte 50s. Maybe training in the area I’m in is better.

but yes it should be talked about more.

I'm in my 70s and have been using it for two years. I've never been on HRT. I'd hardly ever had a UTI then had two nasty ones in quick succession. GP suggested I try Ovestin and I've never had a UTI since. I get it on repeat prescription now. Only slight negative is the applicator isn't easy to clean.

Whilst I agree the NHS is not at its best in many areas right now, surely the logic here is unsound? It would be in private medicine's interest to keep you on as a patient, and in the NHS's interest to cure you, not the other way around. 🤔The issue with the NHS is more likely that they don't have the resources they need to deal with this type of complaint, which is a tragedy but surely not due to nefarious intent on their part.

I had some prescribed, but it gave me thrush. Might try a different one if available then.

Boots sell an OTC version called Ovesse - only been using it a fortnight, and it's like night and day!

Within a week of HRT my ‘leakiness’ was gone. Vaginal oestrogen is the difference between being able to hold it in and full incontinence by the age of 75.

ps. You can take it indefinitely

Those GPs refusing to prescribe this are borderline negligent imo. It’s a total no brainer. I’ve just started on pressaries in the hope it controls urinary symptoms. I’m 48 and in peri. Have some gp friends who say it’s the best thing! Don’t take no for an answer!

I had this was driving me crazy, my gp prescribed weekly fluconazole (sp?) tablets for I think 12 weeks, cleared it up.

Yes you can
Oxford online pharmacist

would this be suitable for me (I’m 44) if I’ve been having recurrent thrush for 2 years, some pain and occasional bleeding during sex, the need to pee more often? I’ve been talking all possible thrush medication and it goes away, only to return the following month or when the treatment is finished. Getting an appt with a female GP is very difficult.

why are GPs reluctant to prescribe it, does it have bad long term consequences?

You can buy it over the counter as Gina

has anyone tried using it on their face? I keep seeing suggestions about this online, and if it does for my eyebags what it’s done for my fanjo I will be ecstatic.

My blood tests (which they insist on despite me being late 40s) are "normal" so they say peri is not the problem.

I was prescribed it by a young female GP after being vaguely diagnosed with dermatitis by a gynecologist who offered no practical solutions apart from washing my pants in sensitive washing powder 🙄

GP said "I thought the gynecologists were just giving it out to everyone these days". It was a revelation...

Yes, you can buy cream or pessaries through an online pharmacy.

Is it an external cream?

If you are post menopausal you can do an online consultation with a pharmacy and get cream or pessaries and pay privately.

I’m sorry for those who’ve been denied it. It really is marvellous.
It’s kept my downstairs comfortable and operational.

My GP wouldn’t prescribe it either, I’m 41 and they told me it was for post menopausal women. But I have some peri symptoms, dryness and chronic/embedded UTI. Why are they reluctant to prescribe?