@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor Even IF there is a connection between your sore boobs and Ovestin, it will pass. it's quite normal for women on systemic HRT to get some tenderness or similar in the first few months. But bear in mind a low, daily dose of HRT is 100 x stronger than 1 application of Ovestin which has 0.1% weak estrogen. If you reduce the dose, it won't do you any good at all, because the amount of hormone in that 1mg of cream is minute. Most of the product is the 'carrier' base cream. It can take 3 months or more to see really good effects especially if the bladder is atrophied too.
I feel perturbed TBH that your dr is telling women to 'expect' sore breasts (and any other side effects on the leaflet) as it's also known that the 'nocebo' effect is very powerful - (expect a side effect and it will happen.) My consultant has spoken about this regarding all meds, including HRT.
When I first started Ovestin 16 years ago, one of my first questions was about transferring to a male partner during sex. I remember asking 'Is this ok or will he become feminised?' I was told not, as it's so weak. There are actually estrogens in the environment that we are all exposed to daily, in plastics, in foods (phytoestrogens, especially soya) etc.
As a PP said, if you don't treat VA it can become so bad that it's hard to reverse. There are papers online from menopause consultants, saying that women who are older and who have delayed starting treatment, have less good outcomes than women who use it as soon as necessary.
Keep going with it!