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

[Seriestwo]

I am nearer 60 than 50 and have had lots of UTIs and vaginal dryness for ages. Peeing stinged, wiping was sometimes painful. I have been on HRT for about 10 years. Mentioned it in passing to GP who gave me cream in an applicator and you must know about it! Within 2 weeks I was so much better and comfortable. I hadn’t realised how uncomfortable it was.

Is it an external cream??

I have estradiol pessaries. I pop one in on a Tuesday and Saturday night( can't use more than 2x per week and need a space between). Was told to do it at bedtime so it stays up there and is more effective

I think all postmenopausal women not on oral HRT should be on vaginal HRT. Rub some on your vulva as well

Oh permanent, I feel awful that you felt you had to go private!

I think this thread shows what a terrible state of affairs healthcare is for women

And another question here! Is it a form of HRT? Like the gel people rub into legs/arms etc? I can't take HRT so interested to know if this could be okay instead.

I use the oestriol and find it fine

I think all the oestrogen creams have the same dose and as I understand it, its the active ingredient of oestrogen that is absorbed rather than all the actual cream.
Did you use it everyday for 3 weeks as a loading dose first (inside and out).?

it really is shocking - those of us who’ve had oestrogen sensitive cancer can use it.

Apparently a years worth of application is equivalent to one hrt patch or something. It’s so minuscule and yet works so well as there are more oestrogen receptors around that area.

I have also experienced this with Estriol. Not always, but sometimes it comes out the next day in a blob. Also wondering if I am using it wrongly. I use the applicator and insert an amount smaller than a pea but it still comes out sometimes. I usually apply at night as well.

yes and no. It’s simply a cream for the vulval and vaginal area with a tiny amount of oestrogen in to help with dryness and discomfort.

I can’t have hrt but can have that

Twice a week (after the loading dose, which is daily for a fortnight) is the standard, but you CAN use it more often than that if needed/with your GP’s oversight.

Twice a week was fine at the outset, but over time I’ve had to increase it to every day to keep my bladder symptoms at bay (never had any obvious vaginal issues, but it’s all in the same zone!)

It’s safe to do so because it’s such a tiny tiny dose.

It really is life altering. Well for me it has been anyway.

I use the pessary, were you using it at night?

I had the cream, but I found the pessary just a lot easier, so it is good that there are different options as not everyone gets on with all things the same.

I am not in the UK, and this is the first that I read that it is not available OTC. I am quite surprised about this, as it just makes it so much more limiting. And the dose is so tiny.

I haven't had one UTI since starting.
I don't get up in the night for a wee anymore
I don't almost not make it to the loo in the day, so can hold it easier
Just more comfortable, I am single so I can't comment on the sex part but I am sure it would make a difference
And..... the inner lips that disappeared suddenly and shockingly.... are now back.

Could you try Intrarosa? It's DHEA in coconut oil and converts more readily to androgens (ie testosterone) than oestrogen?

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.

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.

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.

Thank you.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.