FINALLY got estriol cream for my sore bits - but really apprehensive about using it!

[EllenRipley]

So was here a while ago asking about estriol cream for my temperamental urethra - finally got it today from a nice GP.

I've seen a urologist who said I had urinary retention probably because my urethra was a bit "old & scarred" (I'm 47 😳) and am having to wait ages for the pre-cystoscopy scans. I'm being driven nuts by urethral pain and uti symptoms (no infection). Finally decided stuff it, I'm not waiting for a camera up my bladder to confirm what I already know. All my problems have arisen since my periods started going haywire (e.g none for five months til January, then three cycles during which bladder problems flared again, now period has disappeared again).

Everything I've experienced & researched and been told on here (Thankyou @pollyperky) suggests it's down to low estrogen and estriol is a relatively easy fix. But now I'm crapping myself!

What if I have bad side effects? (Always reacted badly to hormonal contraception)
What if it makes things worse?
Since I don't have full on vaginal atrophy/dryness should I ignore dosage instructions and just dab some on the sore bits? At my last gynae exam I was told my ladybits looked "estrogenised" so I don't want to overdo it with a big unnecessary dose.

Aargh. Advice/reassurance (again!) appreciated, especially if you've used Ovestin. Thanks x

Do it. As per instructions. It s really helped my bladder UTI symptoms.

Thankyou @cestlavielife. Do you mind me asking, were those the only symptoms you had?
The only instructions I have are the ones in the box - there wasn't much on the pharmacy label. It's 1applicator per day (0.5mg estriol) for two weeks, twice weekly thereafter.

Like having constant uti
But samples saying not.
It s been a miracle cure
:)

👍 great news. Time to get lathered up with estriol then!

You really do not need to worry about overusing topical Estrogen, I use Vagifem every night and ovestin cream on the outside bits too.
I don’t get anxious about HRT but can get myself in a state about issues

Other health issues, is what I meant to say.

Ellen Vaginal estrogen is not actually classed as HRT. (I know you get the leaflet in the box giving all kinds of info but that's just a licensing law.)

I think someone told me that using Ovestin etc for a year is the same amount of estrogen as 1 HRT pill. It's 0.01% estrogen and stays in the vagina.

Make sure you do the two week load. I use vagifem, and have always needed to use more than 2 per week.

Most of the absorption happens when the tissues are thin and let more of the oestrogen through. Once it has done its job and the cells are nicely plumped up, then there is very little systemic absorption. So you need to keep it topped up - some people get too scared of the oestrogen and don't do the 2 week load properly, then try and use as little as possible - some doctors think that once you have had one course, that is it . There is only a tiny amount of oestrogen in it and it has to be used properly to do its job.

Thankyou so much everyone. @NK346f2849X127d8bca260 I'm the same, a bit of a worrier and I've been dealing with the bladder symptoms for so long that I don't have the energy to deal with negative side effects. I definitely used to have 'estrogen dominant' symptoms in my early 40s (including a small fibroid) so I'm cautious - but I'm pretty sure I've swung the other way now. And the fact I reacted badly to contraception years ago is making me paranoid I'm doing the wrong thing.

I used half the dose last night as a lot of women on meno forums seem to be playing about with the dose! Woke up with a terrible headache (which is hardly unusual) and have spent the day trying to convince myself it's not connected to Ovestin! Peri-meno anxiety is a damn nuisance, wish there a cream for that...

But I'm grateful for the reassurance and advice, Thankyou 👍

Slap it on , my vaginal atrophy / bladder problems for so bad at age 46 now 51, that I need vagifem every other night , estriol every night, systemic HRT and flipping laser treatment.

Nip it in the bud is my opinion .

That sounds hellish for you @1966gettingold, thank god there was treatment available. I think I shall be slapping it on tonight for sure.

The dose is tiny. There is nothing to be gained by using only half a dose. You need to do the 2 week load properly as this revitalises the tissues enough to stop the absorption. Then you need to maintain that.

Roger that @Melamin. I did full dose last night. Woke up at 3am with stomach cramps but telling myself it's not the dose that did it😕... will carry on for fortnight unless there's anything obvious going on. I was thinking half dose might be better as I'm only peri-meno and don't have 'full on' atrophy but from what people are saying here, that's not a fool-proof theory. Tentatively thinking urethra feels better but I'm still generally sore, so probably way to early to tell.

TBH, I did that when I started vagifem. I had no instructions from the consultant, the box said use for two weeks, then one twice weekly, and the prescription said 'one or two twice weekly' which confused the pharmacists no end.

Added to that, you only get a box of 24 and I had never had to do repeat prescriptions before and didn't know if I had to go back to the doctor or what.

I did eventually go back to a doctor and she said not to worry, and start the whole process again and use as much as I need.

At the start, I was getting a lot of thrush-like symptoms that came and went so I used multi-gyn actigel in between which is supposed to balance your pH and therefore bacteria. Some people use moisturisers like sylk and yes, but I have never found them helpful. I find dermol is good for washing when I have symptoms (it is something dermatologists prescribe for skin problems)

Jeez they don't make it easy for you! The pharmacist label was useless so probably zero instructions from doc - she had to look it up in a book and didn't give me any guidance during the consultation. I thought a female doc would've had at least an idea! She was a flustered locum so I think she was just glad that I knew what I wanted. I'm pretty sure I'm more informed on meno protocols than any of the GPS in my practice.

I know the cream can cause irritation for some so thankfully I do have some mg actigel, it's great stuff. Thanks again for your advice!

The info on menopause matters is good. There is a list of products and what is in them and there is up to date info on risks and benefits. It has been invaluable so far.

I'd looked at the forum but never the actual site, good tip thanks - it is very informative. Now I'm wondering if I should have had the 0.01% estriol instead of the 0.1%... 🤔

Me again! One week in and I have a terrible metallic taste in my mouth, sore boobs and hot flushes! Anyone else experience anything like this? Happy to put up with mild side effects but should I worry?

The trouble with perimenopause, and for some time after menopause as well, is that your own hormones keep coming and going and mess everything up.

The 0.01% estriol is good for slathering on the outside bits, but you have to use more of it internally for the same dose as the 0.1% It might be useful, moisturising wise (I have only ever used the tablets). In my experience, creams that go up come down as soon as you get up in the morning so it may have downsides as well as upsides.

Some women use vagifem inside, and have the 0.01% gel for outside discomfort.

Thanks @Melamin, you're right - certainly not unusual for pms symptoms to come and go so the sore boobs aren't much of a worry really. It's the strange taste that's the new one! My tongue feels like I've been licking a metal pan for hours on end! I'll stick with the 0.1% til I've done the loading dose at least. If I could find a damn doctor that I could have a conversation with about this I might've been able to figure out which cream strength I really need! I'll hopefully be able to talk to the consultant after the cystoscopy then I'll have a better idea what's going on. But what are the chances a male urologist is clued up on hormone treatment and the menopause 🤔? Definite improvement in symptoms and pain levels though. I don't mind the creams so much but there does seem to be a lot of wasteage and my panty liner use isnt exactly environmentally friendly!

menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

The perils of perimenopause

www.menopausematters.co.uk/vaginalsymptoms.php

Vag. At.* / Genitourinary symptoms of menopause, for anyone interested.

• For those who watched Getting On with Jo Brand

Thanks for these! Gosh, uplifting reading...
This is the kind of thing I should probably print out and give to my GP as a starter course.

I have used ovestin in the past and was told by my gyny to use it for a month every night to allow the lining to recover then stop and use every 2-3 days to a week. Worked brilliantly for the urinary and vaginal symptoms. I was only 34 though and not peri-menopausal, just post hysterectomy and breastfeeding.

@123bananas thanks, that's good to know. Sorry to hear you had to go through that at such a young age. There's a definite improvement with my symptoms. Did you just stop using it?