Sylk or Replens?

[PurpleAlert]

Am menopausal- nearly 50- no periods or any other type of bleeding for 16 months and quite sporadic before that for two years.

Both Sylk and Replens seem to have fairly good reviews but not sure which one to try.

Which one would you lovely ladies of a certain age recommend?

what are your symptoms and why do you want either?

This is not a catch you out question but a genuine one!

Vaginal moisturisers will help a little but they don't have much lasting effect because they don't actually do anything to the vaginal tissues except coat them.

If you have burning, wee a lot, feel sore and sex is painful or even impossible due to vaginal atrophy then you need vaginal HRT.

Hi Purple I have experience of both. Sylk I find really helps during sex and replens I tend to use if I just feel dry at other times. They are both useful but the effects don't last long.

I've recently been prescribed oestrogen gel which I apply twice a week to my inner thighs and this has made me feel much better. The downside is I'm only allowed to use it for four weeks and then will have to use something non hormonal again. I'm wondering what my doctor will be able to prescribe next. The menopause is such fun

That's very unusual orange- what's the thinking behind that?

Oestrogen gel is the oestrogen part of HRT. It's meant to be used every day along with a progestogen (if you have a uterus) on some days of each month, to protect the uterine lining. It may help vaginal symptoms but usually the treatment is a cream or pessary to be used vaginally. 1 in 4 women need to use systemic HRT and a local treatment in the vagina.

Ovestin is an oestrogen cream to be used vaginally. There is no limit to how long this can be used. many GPs used to advise stopping after a few months but it's now been shown that it does not affect the lining of the uterus- not enough is absorbed- so it can be used indefinitely.

It makes me wonder if your dr has got confused over what to prescribe.

forgot to add Orange- if you have used HRT as oestrogen for even 4 weeks and have stopped having periods, your dr ought to be prescribing you a progestogen to bring on a bleed - the oestrogen you used on your thighs will have made your uterine lining thicker. It needs shedding via a bleed to stop any changes that in time could become cancerous.

Yes it's possible my doctor may have meant to prescribe ovestin, I think I might give her a call this week to clarify as ovestin may be more suitable.

Regarding progesterone I'm not having this just at the moment as I have a history of endometriosis.HRT which will restart periods could mean the endo will also start again. My doctor and consultant gynae are conferring re this.

Sorry to OP for hijacking.

How on EARTH can a GP get this so wrong? scary. That is very very bad and she ought to be reported.

Well it is possible she might not be wrong so best not to be too hasty.

I agree but oestrogen gel is not prescribed for dry vaginas ( unless part of longer term systemic HRT and used daily).

And whichever she meant to give you- gel or Ovestin cream- there is no 4-week limit on it. Drs used to talk about a 3-month limit for Ovestin but that's been discounted now.

I have tried both Sylk and Replens, both haven't suited me. However I have recently been using 'Yes' which has helped me enormously - I get it on prescription, but you can buy it - yesyesyes.org have a look at the website, gives lots of info.

That's interesting Pannalash, I'll remember that name. Might be worth a try.

I spoke to a doctor today, not my usual one and she confirmed that it's normal practice to prescribe oestrogen gel only for a limited time for vaginal dryness. There is no danger of the lining becoming too thick as a much smaller amount is absorbed than if oestrogen was taken orally. I'm glad I phoned as I was starting to worry about using it. Feel much happier now.

I still think they are barking up the wrong tree.

Are you absolutely sure they know what they have prescribed?
It would be quite easy for an inexperienced dr ( not used to treating meno) to confuse Oestrogen gel and oestrogen cream (Ovestin.)

I am 99.9% sure they have given you the wrong stuff. I'd pop down to the pharmacy and ask .

I know this because I have used Oestrogel for 6 years and also Ovestin ( oestrogen cream) for the same time.

Gel is systemic HRT. Cream is used internally.

Also their ideas on using the cream/ gel for s short time are incorrect.
I'm sorry to sound pedantic on this but I've been under the care of a very eminent gynae for 7 years and have discussed and been prescribed both items.

You might find this useful

www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.php

I have also copied the part about long term use being okay here for you.

VAGINAL DRYNESS

Lack of estrogen can cause dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissues making intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. The first sign of an effect of reduced estrogen on the vagina is reduced lubrication during sexual activity. HRT can alleviate this but even if you cannot take systemic HRT you may still be able to use estrogen topically to the vagina. This is available in a few forms; creams administered via applicators, waxy pessaries, small tablets inserted with an applicator or a vaginal ring which stays in place for 3 months at a time. For creams, pessaries or vaginal tablets, the initial dose is 1 application nightly for 2 weeks, followed by the maintenance dose of 1 application twice weekly.
Low dose vaginal estrogen preparations can be used long term without causing any known systemic effect, and without needing any progestogenic protection of the lining of the womb

Drs who do not know that the recommendations have changed continue to think the cream can only be used for a few weeks or months.
Saying you can only use 'the gel' for a month is incorrect anyway as the treatment is daily for 14 days then twice a week thereafter. After a month you'd only have just started to feel the benefits.

You don't give up Pinkfrocks do you? Thanks for the link to the website, I'll have a look.

If you want another opinion, maybe register and post on the Menopause Matters website /forum? I am not a member and don't intend to join, so you will be quite safe from my comments!

Has your dr explained what she intends to offer you once the month on the gel is up? Because as you will see from the info I copied and pasted, treatment for vaginal atrophy/ dryness is lifelong- it's not something that goes away or is 'cured' by using something for 4 weeks.