Ovestin for painful intercourse?

[Alidalivali]

I'm 50, and became pre-menopausal aged 45. I started transdermal HRT 3 years ago which worked well for the hot flushes, brain fog and irritability. About 6 months ago I forgot to take a patch on holiday and felt fine without it - so I just stopped using it, figuring I must have been lucky enough to get through it all swiftly. I've been OK since, although sporadic hot flushes have returned.

I have noticed, however, over the last couple of years, intercourse was becoming painful - I have no problems with libido, so it started with just getting a bit sore after more than a few minutes, but recently any penetration is just too painful. It doesn't seem to be a matter of dryness necessarily - just "lack of padding" is the best way to describe it! We've tried the silicone based lubricants which were effective at first, but now even that isn't helping.

The GP has prescribed Ovestin cream, so I wondered if anyone has used it for a pain issue in particular? I don't really have any dryness or itching, not that I've noticed. But even using the Ovestin applicator is uncomfortable.

I use it but for prolapse/urinary incontinence, I don't have enough sex to say if it's painful or not!

I do know that it stops the soreness on my vulva/labia that I get from literally sitting on a chair at work. So I'd say it will help with painful sex.

That is exactly what it is for @Alidalivali
Painful sex is a common outcome of loss of estrogen. Many women using full HRT also need Ovestin (or Vagifem.)

Use it daily for 14 days then 2-3 times a week forever.
if you stop, it will come back.

Lubes etc don't work in the same way.
Estrogen cream actually rebuilds the vaginal walls from thin, to plump!

Work out how often you need to use it - the instructions say daily for 2 weeks then twice a week afterwards.

However many women need more often than twice a week.

Ovestin is great for this, make sure you apply some externally as well as internally.

Brilliant, thanks all!