Ovestin and vagirux - how to get both prescribed?

[RichardMarxisinnocent]

Hi, I've been using vagirux, and before that vagifem, for the past 18 months or so. It's been working well, but in the past couple of weeks my vulva has started to feel sore and possibly a, but dry. Internally feels ok I think. I did an econsult and asked for ovestin so I can use them externally while still using vagirux internally.

The GP has replied saying they are just different forms of oestrogen, both for internal use and there is not a separate cream for the vulval area. She suggests a thrush tablet if I am itchy, not using soap, not wearing tight clothes, wearing cotton underwear, and using an eczema emollient. Other than the emollient and thrush tablet (I am sure i don't have thrush) I already do all those things. I am arranging an in person appointment and wondered if anyone can advise the best way to ask for both ovestin and vagirux? I know many women do use both, and do use ovestin externally even though it is intended for internal use, so some GPs do prescribe both, I just need go persuade mine to!
Thank you

my understanding is that NHS GPs can't give you a private prescription if the item is available on the NHS. So it would be a private GP.

The easiest thing to do is swap Vagifem/Vagirux for Ovestin which does the job in both ways, or you could buy Vagifem (brand name Gina as an over the counter item from pharmacies - you have to answer some questions with the pharmacist.)

OR buy Ovestin online but it's a shocking price bearing no relationship to the actual price to the NHS or if you had a private prescription that you took to a local pharmacy.

I have asked at the GP for the cream numerous times but got nowhere (I am on the generic Vagifem). I just buy the cream online - one tube lasts ages if just using on the vulva.

I would like vagifem but thet won't prescibe this only Vagirux.

You can get it from Oxford online pharmacy or Superdrug on line, fill in a form, answer a questionnaire. I got some Blissel and it was about £35 off the top of my head.
There is an amazing fb forum called Vaginal Atrophy, might be able to get more help/ info.

The online pharmacies are a complete rip off.
Ovestin RRP to the pharmacy is around £4 and with the mark up of a private prescription they charge anywhere from £7-£9.

Sadly, these online pharmacies work on the basis of women being 'desperate' either through being embarrassed to see a GP or unhelpful GPs.

I could do, but as the vagirux seems to be working for internal issues, I am wary of switching from it in case the cream doesn't work. Cream inside and outside also seems potentially quite messy?

@RichardMarxisinnocent If you were to use Ovestin, you'd probably find it works its way out (it doesn't all get absorbed) and you don't need much/any as an additional treatment. The dose per application is tiny - about 1/4 teaspoon.

If you were to use Ovestin, you'd probably find it works its way out (it doesn't all get absorbed) and you don't need much/any as an additional treatment. The dose per application is tiny - about 1/4 teaspoon.

So use it internally and some will work it's way out and help the vulva? That actually sounds Ok. Depending on what the GP says I will consider just switching to Ovestin. I think it was you who mentiones getting Gina over the counter - I'm not quite 50 yet so can't do that at the moment, but once I can it sounds an option if I feel I need more than ovestin (perhaps to alternate between the 2 on different nights) and can't get the GP to prescribe both.

Hi OP. I use ovestin every day inside and out - liberally. I have had a lot of soreness and pain over the last year and eventually my Gynae consultant who I am seeing privately, told me that twice a week wasn't enough for me.

My GP took the instruction and gives me 4 tubes with every repeat prescription.

It does make a difference if i forget.

I've also started using buckthorn oil and that had an exceptional impact on my dry eyes and vagina.

I can't say anything about Vagifem as I've not used it. When I started using vaginal estrogen my consultant asked which I'd prefer - pessary or cream. I went for cream as I thought it sounded more 'soothing'.

I'm just annoyed that the NHS seems to be so fixated on 'costs' or prescribing limits (as a GP wrote here) that a tube of cream costing £4 to them is so hard to get hold of . Especially when so many are still prescribing too many other drugs that they shouldn't be.
The system really is broken.