Vagifem or Ovestin?

[BlueLaces]

I'm hoping that someone with more experience/knowledge than me can offer thoughts...I'm 47, perimenopausal and think I have some vaginal atrophy. Only it's less my vagina and more my vulva and recurring UTIs. I have a smear test next week and am planning on asking the nurse if she'll prescribe topical oestrogen. My first question is can nurses prescribe it or will they refer me to my GP? Secondly, which is better, vagifem or ovestin? I'm sure I've read that one is more suited to external problems and one has a tendency to 'flake off' and emerge like little bits of toilet roll, which doesn't sound great!

If you don’t get on with these, OP, I use an oestrogen gel called Blissel. It’s a clear gel you apply internally, with an applicator, and is the only one that doesn’t irritate me.

I user Vagifem, works for me and if I don't take it I know/ I use it with a natural oil from Naydaya for my vulva.
No UTI's but I do get a big itch up there if I don't keep it up.

Could you link to the oil please?

Thanks to all. It's threads like these that help us girls. I hope you all have a itchy dry free life.

My vulva is constant work in progress and needs careful handling but is so much better than say 2 years ago.
the first time I tried Ovestin it burned so I stopped and then things got worse and worse.

My current regime which is very effective involves a drawer full of stuff 😂

Vagifem vaginal pessary about twice a week
Ovestin cream on all of vulva about 3 times a week
occasional canestan if have any signs of thrush (rare now but sometimes after sex)
YES moisturiser for comfort when not using Ovestin
YES lubricant for intercourse
Occasionally some cream for top of vulva, outside really, where I can get chafing from clothes

that sounds like a lot of work but it works great, I’m comfortable day to day and having sex.
2 years ago I was crying with the itching and dreading getting pain, grazing and chafing.

I’m not saying everyone needs the full works but hopefully it might give ideas for someone.

Which is best to ask for when needed for uncomfortable sex don't really get on with pessaries?

I’d ask for both and see what you get on with?

Ovestin is a cream that can be used on vulva. There is also an applicator that you can squeeze the cream into and use as a cream pessary in your vagina

vagifem are very small tablets like tiny paracetamol that come with quite a thin single use applicator. The tablets/pessaries are dry and just slowly dissolve in your vagina

If intercourse is painful then definitely use a lubricant. Choose one with a vagina friendly pH (not K y jelly or dur ex)

Hi everyone I have been useing vagifem over 10 years .I had hystorectomy 21 yrs ago. But only used vagifem last 10 .but as get older 65 now need bit more I use 3 vagifem week and was told could use everyday if wanted . But use 3 then once or twice ovestin on outside if feel stingy. And maybe every few weeks use balance ative moisture pluse pessary or yes lub
I still get bloating and tummy cramps but since being in meno developed ibs which was told common as bowels and bladder need estrogen to work well. Look at vagifem or ovestin as a sun screen need it life long. You would put sun screen on once then go in sun rest if life .and the leaflet is out of date. Chin up girls 65 new 45 ha ha 😂

My GP had finally agreed to let me have Ovestin as well as vagifem but I see it is only to be used internally? So what is the point?!

You can use it both ways. Just because the leaflet says one way it doesn't mean that's the only way.

I just wasn’t sure. It says ‘for internal use only’ on the box.

This thread is so helpful! I have been agonising about whether to use Vagifem or not. I am finding it really hard to decide.
I was also curious if anyone has any experience of using vitamin D or E as an alternative to the hormonal therapies? Apparently there are pessaries formulated for menopausal women. I am very sensitive to anything topical r otherwise and either have an allergic reaction or come down with UTI. Quite worried about trying out the vitamin pessaries but it would be great to hear from anyone who has tried alternatives.