estriol cream - side effects (tmi)

[myidentitymycrisis]

This is a topical oestrogen cream, I was prescribed this for vaginal dryness, I'm menopausal. I began using it a couple of days ago, and have now started having bad smelling discharge similar to bacterial vaginosis smell.

Does anyone have any experience or advice? if this is usual and might it settle ? if I need to adjust the dose? an alternative ?

I wouldn't say it is usual. I would go visit your doctor.
An alternative could be vagifem pessaries but I know there were some supply issues with it and I am not sure if it has been discontinued or not.
There are other oestrogen pessaries available on the market though so there should be something you can switch to :)

Have you had BV before?

Are you sure it's not just normal discharge as a result of using the cream?

Go for a swab?

The only other treatment is Vagifem- not heard of any other pessaries.
Unless it's sore and itching, I'd carry on because you need to give the vaginal 'flora' time to adjust to a new hormone level, ( a healthier one) so this could well be a minor, transitional stage.

Thanks for your replies.
Queen yes i have had BV a few times. As you suggest I have decided to carry on, monitor it and give it time to adjust. Maybe after the initial strong dose period things will improve.

You can buy tests for BV OTC so if you are worried, maybe try that? More discharge is normal and good!

If you’ve had BV before, and your vaginsl mucosa is still not fully oestrogenised, so a bit atrophic, then this may well be yet another attack of the same.
With any luck, once the cream has had a chance to work, you’ll be less at risk, but you should certainly get this current episode looked at.

Eh?

Hi I’m new to Mumsnet & in my 60’s with 2 grown up girls but my youngest daughter uses Mumsnet for her little ones & I have a problem for myself which I hope someone could help me with I had an early menopause & used HRT pills for a few years which was great I haven’t used anything for a few years but suffer with really dry vagina my doctor had given me Ovestin cream I started 3 days ago everything fine but got up with stomach ache like period pains has anybody else had this problem & does it go I have to use for a fortnight then twice a week but worried this is not normal any advise welcome cheers

@Jeaniebm It's normal and will pass. It's probably a bit of uterine stimulation going on but the cream is very very weak ( using it for a whole year at 2 x a week is the same as one 1mgs tablet of estrogen- a day's dose.)
Don't worry- it will pass.

Thank you