Is there an Estrogen cream that can be used on the vulva, not necessarily inside the vagina?

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

Is there such a thing as an estrogen cream that can be used on the vulva?

Unfortunately, I can't take HRT as it makes my hair fall out. I even experienced hair loss with vaginal estrogen pessaries, which was very disappointing. I'm now at the point where I'm wanting to at least try an estrogen cream as the dryness is increasing and I think the skin on the outside area has thinned somewhat. I'm willing to cautiously apply the cream sparingly and see how I go, monitoring my hair for excess shedding.

I've requested a GP appointment, but would like to go in armed with some info if anyone can help me out here.

I use Ovestin oestrogen cream, which comes with an applicator. The GP prescribed it for all the symptoms you are experiencing with dryness and atrophy and urinary issues. She said to use the applicator but if I wanted to, to smear it around outside too.

How has it improved @Misthios ?

Ok so still don’t have my prescription that gp ordered on Thursday! Rang pharmacy and they said it may come in tonight but Ovestin not available. Generic version is. So just got to hope the gp has not asked for Ovestin as they can’t do it and would need a new prescription.

I don’t think you need a new prescription. I think the pharmacy will give you estriol cream (Ovestin is just a brand name) x

i'm back to feeling "normal" again. I'm not dry and itchy, I don't feel like i'm constantly brewing a UTI, no low level pelvic pain and discomfort.

Before prescribing the GP examined me and pronounced me atrophic - once that process has started, estrogen is the only way to remedy it. fully expect to be using it the rest of my life.

@greengreyblue My understanding on this is that the brand name Ovestin which is patented, has expired so the pharma company cannot use it.
However, they are still making the same product but it's called Estriol 0.1% (I read this on another forum.)

Therefore your pharmacist should know to substitute the generic version.

They also should have been aware from the info that is sent to all pharmacies of this change.

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells I rang GP and they said they had requested estriol so should get it tomorrow. Whoever I spoke to at the pharmacy said they would not swap to estriol without specifying that was the prescription 🙄

@JinglingSpringbells Ovestin cream is 1mg and the estriol replacement cream is 0.1. Does that mean I’d have to use more of the estriol? Is it weaker??

0.1 % not mg isn’t it?

My tube says 1mg. The box says 0.1%. I’m confused.com

Sorry. The box and tube say 1mg. The patient info says Ovestin is 0.1%. If that’s the case then the replacement is exactly the same

Yes I think that’s what @JinglingSpringbells was saying. Same company just can’t use that name as patent lapsed.

Hi. Ok thanks. That’s good then x

I have been suffering from a heel spur and Plantar fasciitis. I was reading that it can be hampered by declining estrogen, my bottle of estrogen gel caught my eye and I thought why not... I tried rubbing a tiny bit into my heel and arch for a month, my symptoms are a lot better. Maybe it's a coincidence, I have been trying other things too, but it does make me wonder if topical estrogen is a untapped cure of many things!

This is VERY interesting, I will be applying a touch of ovestin to the back of my heel!

The amount of cream per application is 1mg but only 0.1% of that is the active ingredient estriol @SparklyBracelet

There are 15mgs in the tube.

That works out at 2mgs per week ( 1mgs x 2 applications.)

So each tube should last for around 7 weeks.

For reference, a dose of systemic hrt is usually 1mgs estrogen ( as a tablet) and Ovestin is a hundred times weaker (so a year's worth is equal to 1 day of systemic low dose hrt.)

Thank you. So the estriol cream will be 0.1% same as the branded Ovestin

Exactly.

It should say 0.1%

There is, or was a weaker version, which was 0.01% so just check you don't get that as the quantity you'd need is a very large applicator.

Just for clarification- the amount of active estrogen is in mgs, not grams, so a dose is 1mgs (not grams).

It was Oestrogel though, so presumably a lot stronger. I'm not making any bold claims, as I have also been stretching and taping, but it was a bit of a coincidence 🤔

Fantastic. As long as it’s 0.1 that’ll be fine.Thank you x

Just picked up prescription. Same design / colour / font on box etc

Yay! Is it 0.1%??

It doesn’t say a percentage but it’s 1mg estriol to 1 g of cream so same as Ovestin.

The applicator holds 0.5g cream which contains 0.5mg estriol.

GP said this was enough for a month- 1 tube! Is that the usual prescription or will I get more once it’s on repeat? Can’t be doing with going to pharmacy all the time.