Any natural alternatives to vaginal oestrogen creams or pessaries?

[Cailte53]

I have started getting cystitis like symptoms in my bladder, I am in menopause and have been managing things until now with diet and supplements. Due to having a history of reacting badly to meds, including hormonal trearments, I am not on HRT. Before I try a vaginal pessary or vaginal oestrogen cream, has anyone tried anything natural that might help? TIA

Why do you want to find an alternative?
It might be worth doing a bit of reading and research around HRT to put your mind at rest.

Most estrogen now in HRT or vaginal estrogen is made from plants anyway- yams. It's nothing like the hormones used in The Pill .

Vaginal estrogen isn't absorbed into your system. It stays where it's put.

And it's a tiny tiny amount. Using it for a whole year is the same amount of estrogen as 1 daily dose of HRT.

Give it a go. There's nothing that really works in the same way.

This.

It’s such a low, low dose. No need for alternatives.

Cut out sugar. Helped me.

Cutting out sugar doesn't change the lining of the bladder or the vagina.
I think there's some theory that sugar makes urine more acidic and therefore more irritating to the bladder.

Only estrogen can reverse the changes of loss of estrogen to the cells in the bladder lining, the vagina and the pelvic floor.

It's now called GUS- genito urinary syndrome rather than vaginal atrophy as it affects more than just the vagina.

It does need to be treated sooner rather than later because if the damage is left long term, it's harder to reverse.

OP, you need to strengthen and thicken the walls of your vagina and bladder. Greek yoghurt won't do this. Only vaginal oestrogen.

Thanks, ladies.

Seconding vaginal estrogen. It’s a bloody miracle. Give it a go. It’s the hormones that need replacing and nothing without the hormones in it can do that x

Is there an over the counter vaginal oestrogen or do you need a prescription?

If it reassures you I never got on well with hormones, e.g. the pill, but have no issues with HRT.

You can buy Gina (which is Vagifem on prescription.)
You need to answer the tick-box questions by the pharmacist first.
That's being over 50 and post menopause.

This doesn't apply if you get a prescription, because women under 50 use it and being over 50 doesn't mean a woman is post menopause.

@JinglingSpringbells thanks, unfortunately I'm 43 so I'm assuming can't buy it then.

I’m not able to take HRT. I have found Sea buckthorn oil capsules have been really helpful for menopausal vaginal symptoms.

You could try something like Replens if it's mainly dryness causing the issue

Vaginal estrogen isn't classed as HRT @Iwontletyoudown

If you've had breast cancer, maybe check with your specialists. Some women are allowed to use it.