Estriol cream applied internally...how much will reappear?!

[TryingAgain7651]

Just started on this...in the 2 week loading dose phase...also trying to have sex with relatively new partner and really could do without having estriol coming back out! There was a little bit this morning, will that be it?

not too much seemed to come back out again when I started so fingers crossed for you

Are you using condoms?

You shouldn’t get estriol cream on your DP even though it’s a low dose. Recommendation is to leave 12 hours between application and sex - or apply after you’ve had sex then leave a 12 hour gap.

Estriol creams may also affect condoms, and cause them to deteriorate. I believe you have to wait 72 hours between using a cream and using a condom.

@RigItwould you be able to share where you got that info from?
It's just that it's contradictory to what my consultant advised (he's male.)

Even with Estrogel applied to arms or legs, the instructions only advise waiting an hour before any skin to skin contact with someone. Estrogel is 100 times more estrogen than 1 application of cream.

@TryingAgain7651 The answer is either avoid sex for a couple of weeks if it bothers you, or use the cream afterwards, or use it at any time of day (you may get a little more coming out.) There is always some 'seepage' but it varies with everyone. If you have sex straight after using it, it won't be so effective as the 'action' will mean it's not able to do its job.

It really depends which cream you have, if you have the small 15g tube with the applicator that gives you about 1.5cm dose then you’ll see a small amount probably and if you’ve seen some this morning that will be it. However if you’re using the weaker cream that’s in the 85g tube and you use a lot more of then quite a lot comes back out over the course of the next day, in my experience.

Yes, THIS. I use the 0.01% cream and I need a good panty liner for the next day.

Thanks all! The condoms are not needed for birth control so not too worried there, as I know the cream can affect them.
It was more from an aesthetic point of view! Yes it's the big dose.
Nothing is simple any more is it?!

But condoms are needed for protection from STI's...

Yeah sorry what i meant was i wasn't worried about getting pregnant!
12hrs seems workable though

@TryingAgain7651 You should ask for Estriol 0.1% (You can buy it over the counter for £20- Ovesse.)

The other stuff is awful.
I was given it once as a back-up when Ovestin (as it was called) was out of stock and I never used it.

Why is your GP giving you that when there are other options?

You don't need allow 12 hours. There is nothing online about that- quite the opposite in a medical research paper on it.

Obviously don't use it like lube- it's got to be absorbed so having sex 2 mins later isn't going to be a good idea.

Apparently Estriol cream can affect condoms because it’s oil based

She gave me the choice of cream or pessaries, but I went with cream as the issue (currently) is with external skin being thin and dry...no other problems for now. So the idea was it could be used as topical "moisturiser" too, which obviously a pessary can't be

Why not ask to swap the cream for one which is stronger? I've never heard of anyone being given the really weak one unless there is a very good reason for it.

0.1% is the 'norm' and the amount you use is about the size of your thumb nail.
0.01%- yours'- you need 10 x as much.

My guess is she doesn't know there are 2 options and she's just looked online and prescribed you the very weak one which needs a huge amount.

Honestly go for the pessary option.
I found the cream really soggy and irritating.
You can still use a little on the outside but you might be very surprised at how well the pessaries work.

I maintained at 3 a week and GP said even 4 was ok as so little hormone in it.

Good luck

I apply mine when I go to bed and never notice any reappearing the next day