Is it ok to use ovestin or vagifem if you're not post menopause?

[FelicityFeatherstone]

I'm considering taking it for some mild continence issues and general discomfort in that area. I'm 51 and peri menopausal

Everything online seems to point to it only being for post menopausal women - is this true?

Of course I'd like to discuss it with my doctor but that's impossible right now and unable to get any sort of appointment a thought I'd just try and get an idea from anyone on here who may be using it

Thanks!

Yes, absolutely.

If you buy Vagifem (called Gina for OTC use) the pharmacist will ask some questions including are you post menopause. How you reply is up to you!

Ovestin can't be bought OTC but I think some online pharmacies and maybe Superdrug sell it with / without a consultation online.

It's an horrendous price from these online sites - the price on the NHS is a prescription charge and a private prescription (paying RRP) is about £7.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells

I'll pop into the chemist and buy Gina OTC if possible and see how I get on. And then attempt to just have it put on prescription.

I see the warnings about womb cancer risks. Would you happen to know if these warnings are out of date?

Ignore the warnings. The leaflet in vaginal estrogen is supposed to be being changed. Those 'warnings' are for full HRT and not relevant.

I was going to say, I was told that the relative amount of oestrogen you get from vagifem is very low compared to topical HRT, so the risks will be much lower. (eg 1 pump of oestrogel = 25mcg oestrodiol - I have 4 pumps per day. Vagifem = 10mcg, and it says you can go to using 2 doses per week) But if those warnings are out of date then go with the latest information.

I did an e-consult and said I'd like to try it for continence problems that were worsening with age and I got prescribed Vagirux which has been brilliant for it. I wish I'd asked for it years ago. I'm 54 and still in perimenopause.

I was prescribed ovestin by a urolgist at the age of 43, which was the first time I really realised that I'm perimenopausal.

I’ve been using Ovestin since I was 37 for continence and bladder issues. I went into early menopause due to autoimmune issues. The amount of oestrogen in the internal creams is absolutely tiny but it really does make a difference.

Thanks all

I'll buy some Gina today hopefully and see how it goes. I don't have dryness but I do have worsening continence issues and discomfort so that's nice eh

@MagpiePi

One pump of gel is 0.75mgs so 2 pumps is 1.5 mgs.

Ovestin is 0.1% estrogen, so 100 applications = 1mg = a low dose of systemic HRT.

100 applications = 50 weeks ( 2 doses per week) so using ovestin for a year is the same as 1 day of systemic estrogen.

Vagifem is similar.

Not sure what you were told and who by, but they ought to know that you don't 'get estrogen' from vaginal estrogen.

Vaginal estrogen is not systemic anyway. It stays in the vagina. It's not the same as HRT (it's not even classed as HRT.)

It's not that the warnings are 'out of date' it's that they don't apply at all but any product containing estrogen has the same leaflet.

Make sure you ask for a referral to a urologist if you haven’t already - there are lots of medications they can give you that help with this. I am on amitriptyline and solifenacin and both have really helped. I’ve had bladder issues since I was 14, now 42 and it seemed to be getting worse as I was getting older - I’m sure partly due to the drop in oestrogen. I had a cystoscopy under general anaesthetic and they took some biopsies and found that I have intercystinal cystitis/ painful bladder syndrome (to be honest I’ve had this since 14, the test just confirmed it) and that was contributing to my urge incontinence issues. Definitely see your Gp.

OP I use HRT plus ovestin and it has helped me not need a wee as often including at night, however I also have prolapses so there is only so much it can do. (I wet myself as soon as I start to run still even though I don't need a wee.)

Hopefully you will get some success.

I’ve just been prescribed this by my hrt clinic - I’m fifty and peri .. she said it will help with the continence issues but has mainly been prescribed for the insane itching that makes me want to claw my vadge to bits .

A urologist is much further down the line if 6 months of vaginal estrogen doesn't work. And IC although terrible, is rarer than this.

50% or more of women have urinary issues at peri and post menopause and estrogen can work wonders.

@FelicityFeatherstone If it's incontinence, estrogen alone won't help if you aren't doing your pelvic floor exercises. Are you?

There are some great Youtube vidoes online by Elaine Millar (women's physio) who is really funny- goes under the name of Gussie Grips. Also on Twitter.

Thanks again

I have downloaded the Squeezy app and will also look up Gussie Grips. I've also come across Know Your Floors on Instagram who's decent

I just feel a bit itchy (ugh!) and definitely urge / stress incontinence so I'm hoping the whole combination will help maybe

Managed to buy the Gina but I will ask for it to be prescribed I think if I can get an online GP appointment any time this decade!

I don’t agree.

I am not suggesting op has the same issues as me as I appreciate IC is rare but if a woman (or man) has incontinence issues they should see a GP about this. Often Ovestin etc alone isn’t enough and current waiting lists to see a urologist are often 2 years - this is how long I waited to see mine. The quicker you get on the list the better. Most urology clinics now offer a one stop clinic where you can be seen, examined and have the relevant tests all on the same day, and be prescribed medication if necessary. Yes lack of oestrogen may be too blame and in the meantime this might completely cure things but often incontinence is much more complex - when I had my first appointment the urologist told me incontinence is much more of an issue than people realise and people should seek help for it earlier.

If you are itchy op you may have thrush as well which is very common if you’re dry - you may not have the typical discharge as you may not have enough mucus to make it. Also have a google of Sjögren’s syndrome which is much more common amongst menopausal women than people think. If you are dry you won’t be able to dissolve canestan pessaries properly so get some of the internal cream (not the same thing as the external cream) and use this. I have to use a dose of the internal cream once a month to keep on top of thrush.

But @Xrays a GP would tell her to go away and do pelvic floor exercises for a few months. They might suggest a referral to a women's physio if it was really bad, but that's further down the line.