Estriol Cream

[BigcatLittlecat]

Hi. I'm definitely going through the menopause if not gone through it. Along with an inability to sleep, anxiety and aching in breasts and under the arms I have dreadful vaginal dryness. The doctor has prescribed Estriol cream which I believe she said would help all symptoms.
Has anyone else used it? Or had any side effects? Can it be used long term?
I'm going back to doctors in two weeks but if anyone has any thoughts on it that would be great. Thanks

Estriol cream is a very very weak form of estrogen which only helps where it's used- in the vagina. Using it for a year is the same amount of estrogen as in 1 estrogen pill (1mg) - which is one single pill for women using HRT.

When you said I believe she said would help all symptoms do you mean the poor sleep and your aches? It won't help with any of those, but will help with vaginal soreness, bladder issues (like weeing too much or feeling like it's painful), painful sex.

You need to use it long term or your symptoms will come back. Old ladies in their 80s and 90s use it.

There is no time limit.

The dose is daily for 14 days then twice a week (or thereabouts) for ever. If you stop, the symptoms are likely to come back.

Please ignore most of l the information on the leaflet- most of it is out of date and it's the same leaflet used in all HRT (not just vaginal creams) so some of the listed 'side effects' are not relevant.

Hi
I am just in process of being diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and my gp has given me estriol 1mg ton insert nightly for 2 weeks clobavate steroid cream for 2 weeks and a moisturiser to shower with, anyone have lichen? Also I am concerned about side effects if this HRT because no matter what medication I have for anything all.ky life I nearly always have a reaction. Nearly at end of menopause I hope .
Any reassurance would be great .

Estrogen cream is very weak. why have you been given it for LS? LS is on the vulva, not inside the vagina. Do you have to use the cream outside too, or do you have a dry vagina?

LS needs careful treatment. 5% of women with it develop cancer. Low risk, but you need the right treatment.

Steroids have just as many side effects as topical estrogen so not sure why you are worried about the estrogen and not the steroid cream.

When you say you think you are 'nearly at the end of menopause' what do you mean? End of periods or end of peri symptoms?
Things like dry vagina and dry itchy vulva do not go away post meno- they get worse. Treatments like estriol cream can be for life.

LS is not a menopause symptom- it's an auto immune condition.

Has anyone discussed this with you?

Also- estrogen cream which you have been given is not classed as HRT. It's a very weak cream used by women into their 90s for dryness and cracking of vaginal skin and tissues.

I have yet to get appointment at hospital for Ls this us 2 gps..
Had hysterectomy 25 year ago still have ovaries, symptoms of menopause of which I can say I think I have gone the the book sadly.
Steroid cream to be used for 2 weeks, and estriol inside only, this is due to being dry and soreness,
I was aware of low risk of the C word, not had much information from gp first gp I saw was sending to hospital for routine appointment after 10 days she still hadn't done it so I insisted on seeing another doctor who did the referral there and then and gave me the meds. Also the reassurance I needed. Apparently everything looks really healthy downstairs.
I have really bad anxiety and the previous doctor just saying i will need a biopsy and a chance there could be pre c cells made me really ill.

I am aware of sode effects os steroid cream also but doctor said the cream was a HRT and with history of C in the family maternal side I was worried

Estriol cream is not classed as HRT- your dr is wrong.

And the family history of cancer is neither here nor there.

Vaginal estrogen is not absorbed by the body, it stays in the vagina.
It doesn't cause cancer.

Thank you for that.
You have so many things said that it blows your mind.
When your body starts to change its worring .