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Original poster

Ovestin cream

81 replies

Tidsleytiddy · 03/03/2023 18:24

Hi. I’ve just been prescribed Ovestin cream by my gp for vaginal burning and soreness and urinary frequency which feels like a UTI. ((I did actually have a urine infection last month but that has cleared with antibiotics).
Whilst I’m hoping the Ovestin will help with me with the symptoms I’ve described above, I’m worried that it will make my bits swell up. Am I overthinking this?

OP posts:
Choupett · 16/05/2023 16:43

I was prescribed Ovestin back in march.

I had to use daily for 14 days then twice a week. Yes I did feel sick for the first few days of using but I'm ok now. Not throw up sick, felt more like pregnancy nausea.

I was pretty sure that me feeling sick was due to the medication so I looked up the side effects and nausea and vomiting is definitely listed.

JinglingSpringbells · 16/05/2023 16:50

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 16:26

What even when sickness and nausea are listed as side effects in the info sheet? It might well be something else but a little coincidental to me that I feel awful a couple of days after starting a new medication.

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I mentioned on another thread yesterday by someone else that the leaflet does not apply to Ovestin or other vaginal treatments.

There are top menopause consultants (on information videos and podcasts) expressing their annoyance that after years of being in touch with the manufacturers, they persist in including that info when it only applies to systemic HRT.

JinglingSpringbells · 16/05/2023 16:51

Choupett · 16/05/2023 16:43

I was prescribed Ovestin back in march.

I had to use daily for 14 days then twice a week. Yes I did feel sick for the first few days of using but I'm ok now. Not throw up sick, felt more like pregnancy nausea.

I was pretty sure that me feeling sick was due to the medication so I looked up the side effects and nausea and vomiting is definitely listed.

As above- the leaflet is being changed as it doesn't apply to vaginal estrogen.

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 16:51

Choupett · 16/05/2023 16:43

I was prescribed Ovestin back in march.

I had to use daily for 14 days then twice a week. Yes I did feel sick for the first few days of using but I'm ok now. Not throw up sick, felt more like pregnancy nausea.

I was pretty sure that me feeling sick was due to the medication so I looked up the side effects and nausea and vomiting is definitely listed.

Ah I have not experienced the pregnancy sickness, I have not actually thrown up but feel like I want too. I think I will stop it and retry it in a week and see what happens.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 16:55

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 16:11

Yes I'm on Everol 25 and Utrogestron 100mg and have found these amazing for stopping the hot flushes, the anxiety, irritability and since the second patch I felt human again, how quickly do you feel better after stopping the Ovestin?

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Within 24-36 hours. I stop using it and the symptoms go. It's not because I've read the leaflet, it's not because of hormone fluctuations, it's not 'something else that's going on' it's due to the Ovestin.

JinglingSpringbells · 16/05/2023 17:08

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 16:55

Within 24-36 hours. I stop using it and the symptoms go. It's not because I've read the leaflet, it's not because of hormone fluctuations, it's not 'something else that's going on' it's due to the Ovestin.

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@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor I can see you are frustrated. Why not go back to your GP and explain all of this and ask to try Blissel which is a lower dose? There is also another new type out but I can't recall the name. It's called Osperi something or other and is an oral tablet. You can probably find it on Dr Newson's website or just by googling with the search terms.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 17:11

I will see my hospital gynaecologist soon and I'll ask then,thank you.

JinglingSpringbells · 16/05/2023 17:11

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 17:11

I will see my hospital gynaecologist soon and I'll ask then,thank you.

All the best with it!

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 17:13

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 16:55

Within 24-36 hours. I stop using it and the symptoms go. It's not because I've read the leaflet, it's not because of hormone fluctuations, it's not 'something else that's going on' it's due to the Ovestin.

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Thank you fingers crossed I will feel better tomorrow.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 17:55

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 17:13

Thank you fingers crossed I will feel better tomorrow.

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Let me know how you get on 😊

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 17:59

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 17:55

Let me know how you get on 😊

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Thank you and I hope you find a solution for you too.

Nightytwine · 16/05/2023 19:25

I've been given ovestin for irritation and itching of vagina and vulva skin. A side effect is irritation and itching! I've been using it for about three weeks and the sore red patches and itching are no better and possibly worse. I also used steroid cream for the first two weeks. I dont know what to do! I have a phone appointment Thursday with the nurse practitioner but I can't see her face to face till Monday. The discomfort is doing my head in. I feel like my labia majora are being constantly pricked with pins.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/05/2023 20:02

Nightytwine · 16/05/2023 19:25

I've been given ovestin for irritation and itching of vagina and vulva skin. A side effect is irritation and itching! I've been using it for about three weeks and the sore red patches and itching are no better and possibly worse. I also used steroid cream for the first two weeks. I dont know what to do! I have a phone appointment Thursday with the nurse practitioner but I can't see her face to face till Monday. The discomfort is doing my head in. I feel like my labia majora are being constantly pricked with pins.

YES moisturiser is good.

Moanycowbag · 16/05/2023 21:12

Nightytwine · 16/05/2023 19:25

I've been given ovestin for irritation and itching of vagina and vulva skin. A side effect is irritation and itching! I've been using it for about three weeks and the sore red patches and itching are no better and possibly worse. I also used steroid cream for the first two weeks. I dont know what to do! I have a phone appointment Thursday with the nurse practitioner but I can't see her face to face till Monday. The discomfort is doing my head in. I feel like my labia majora are being constantly pricked with pins.

I find Balance Activ Cream soothing, and sitting in a 'sitz' bath, I just whack a load of table salt in a warm shallow bath when I get really sore or come up in boils.

Cookerhood · 16/05/2023 22:02

A friend of mine couldn't use ovestin as she seemed to be allergic to one of the ingredients. She has pessaries now which are fine for her, so maybe a switch of formulation will help.

Nightytwine · 17/05/2023 05:42

Thank you all. Last night I went back to vagifem pessaries and used a different moisturiser they gave me previously. Already in less discomfort. Think I must have been allergic to ovestin. So relieved!

Sharon159 · 13/10/2023 09:08

Can I ask how long this took as my vulva is so thin and tears. I’ve been on Ovestin a week. Thanks x

SabbatWheel · 13/10/2023 09:11

I found Ovestin absolutely useless. After pushing back on the ‘but this is gold standard medication’ message I got swapped to Vagirux pessaries and this worked much better for me. Also have Betnovate cream for Lichen Sclerosis which sorts out the itching.

Original poster
Tidsleytiddy · 13/10/2023 12:14

Sharon159 · 13/10/2023 09:08

Can I ask how long this took as my vulva is so thin and tears. I’ve been on Ovestin a week. Thanks x

Felt a difference after a few days. I’m now just over six months in and it’s truly been fabulous. My bladder has improved beyond what I thought it ever could. It’s been literally life-changing x

OP posts:
Original poster
Tidsleytiddy · 13/10/2023 12:16

SabbatWheel · 13/10/2023 09:11

I found Ovestin absolutely useless. After pushing back on the ‘but this is gold standard medication’ message I got swapped to Vagirux pessaries and this worked much better for me. Also have Betnovate cream for Lichen Sclerosis which sorts out the itching.

Yes different things work for different women. I couldn’t use Vagifem as I had a reaction to maybe the fillers. Also it’s estradiol and Ovestin is estriol so that could be the difference; one suited me and one didn’t. It’s a bit of trial and error x

OP posts:
Mazzbazz · 13/01/2024 16:16

Suffering terrible with vaginal atrophy, any words of wisdom please? I've started on Ovestin week 7 taking twice a week still not great.

Original poster
Tidsleytiddy · 13/01/2024 16:20

@Mazzbazz Ooo that’s a shame. Try every night for 14 nights then every other night. If you think it’s not for you try Vagifem pessaries?

OP posts:
Mazzbazz · 13/01/2024 16:40

Thank you, I've done the 4 week loading dose now I'm on twice a week. I've just seen a few threads on here mentioning it, be interested to know how long it realistically takes to improve if the VA was bad initially

Original poster
Tidsleytiddy · 13/01/2024 16:43

Hmmm I was so lucky. It suited me and I noticed a difference more or less straight away. I’m now back to normal. Have you tried adding Vagifem? What are your main symptoms?

OP posts: