Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Vaginal estrogen - give me hope!

80 replies

ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 18:44

Hello all.

I've been struggling with severe vaginal atrophy symptoms that came on pretty quickly. I have been prescribed vagifem which I'm using. The specialist warned me it might take 3 months to make a difference.

I'm 1.5 months in and not feeling any better and am very sorry for myself. Can anyone reassure me that it will get better? Has anyone had experience of things turning upwards after a few months of seemingly no improvement?

P.s am doing the other things like YES moisturizer and only washing with emollient etc.

I'd love to hear your experiences if you have been where I am now

Thanks!

OP posts:
LuckyCharmz · 09/03/2026 18:59

There’s a Vaginal Atrophy group on Facebook if you need more help, lists of possible treatment. How often are you using vagifem? Sometimes pessaries and cream are both needed, or more frequency. Did you feel any difference after two weeks in a loading dose?

ikeepforgetting · 09/03/2026 19:02

My prescription was Vagifem pessaries plus estriol cream which I use mainly externally. Maybe you need a double whammy like that! You have my sympathy, it's awful

Wonderbug81 · 09/03/2026 19:10

It did take quite a while and I find Vagifem plus Ovestin cream for outer area works better together. It can feel worse before it feels better.

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 19:23

Thanks @Wonderbug81 I'm certainly in the 'worse before it gets better' bit!

OP posts:
Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 19:24

Thanks @ikeepforgetting - my problem is all the inside weirdly so I'm not sure the cream for outside bits would help sadly. Glad it worked for you though.

OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 09/03/2026 19:25

What are your symptoms (if you don’t mind sharing?) @ElspethTassione I am going to the GP to discuss this as I have a prolapse and the pelvic physio said that gel could possibly help… but I wasn’t sure exactly how… or what I should be looking out for.

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 19:32

@Isadora2007 - mainly severe vaginal dryness though I know the symptoms can vary between people

OP posts:
TofuTuesday · 09/03/2026 19:59

It took me a year of vagirux / other generic brand and I literally thought I would never recover. Symptoms included constant urethral pain , feeling I needed a wee all the time, soreness. I dropped all bladder irritants and I’m (touch wood) okay at 12 months post my first GP visit with symptoms.

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 20:16

Flipping heck @TofuTuesday - that's mad. Did you use the Vagirux at twice a week? Did anyone suggest to you to up the dosage? I'm glad you are better now but oh my goodness!

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 09/03/2026 20:21

Sympathy OP. Im seeing doc this week. Im not sure I have the same problem but definitely having a lot of discomfort.

I dont mean to be crude but I just want someone to have a really good look and sort me out!

TofuTuesday · 09/03/2026 20:43

ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 20:16

Flipping heck @TofuTuesday - that's mad. Did you use the Vagirux at twice a week? Did anyone suggest to you to up the dosage? I'm glad you are better now but oh my goodness!

I now use it five times a week. Did the loading dose originally and then twice a week and it didn’t help. Saw a menopause specialist and was prescribed Intrarosa but I read about side effects so persevered with vagirux. Eventually saw a urogynaecologist who said to up the regularity to at least five times a week.

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 21:09

Thanks @TofuTuesday - that's interesting. Maybe I'll have to do the same.

OP posts:
Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 21:11

@Sidebeforeself - totally get it! Get your periscope out and give me the drugs!

OP posts:
WalterMittysPuppet · 09/03/2026 21:17

I have been thinking of going back to GP with the same problem. I've been using pessaries for over a year - loading dose seemed to help initially but it declined when reducing to only twice a week. Have been using 3 times a week for last 4 months but no use...last time we attempted penetration (because I still have libido) I actually bled!

It's a faff, I can't be doing that 5 times a week - can't they install something, like the oestrogen ring? I actually want to have sex and I can't!

Sorry OP I hijacked to have a moan (sadly not in a good way). Solidarity though. 😩

noclingfilm · 09/03/2026 21:28

I was prescribed Ovestin, and everything was pretty much back to normal after the first two week loading dose (used every day for two weeks, before moving to twice weekly). So perhaps ask for a change of prescription? 3 months is a long time when you’re suffering!

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 09/03/2026 21:31

I have found the estradiol vaginal ring to be more effective than the vagifem pessaries.

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 21:32

@TofuTuesday - I hope you don't mind me asking another question? How long did it take to feel better after you changed to five times a week?

OP posts:
longtompot · 09/03/2026 21:53

@ElspethTassione I used the pessary and cream daily for 4 weeks and then every other day for 4 weeks and then twice a week from then on. It started to feel better at around 3 months, but I am still having external issues (itching and occasionally sore where the skin splits) but things are definitely much better

Original poster
ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 22:12

Thanks @longtompot . I'm glad you are feeling better now. Did you have to pay to see a specialist in order to be prescribed more than the usual dose? Would you recommend the person you saw?

OP posts:
TofuTuesday · 09/03/2026 22:26

ElspethTassione · 09/03/2026 21:32

@TofuTuesday - I hope you don't mind me asking another question? How long did it take to feel better after you changed to five times a week?

Oh quite quickly actually maybe a couple of weeks. I really notice if I forget for a couple of nights though.

IsItTooPink · 09/03/2026 22:32

I used Estriol 1mg and it took effect within 5 days, and quite frankly it’s been a god send.

in your shoes op I’d go back to your gp.

LuckyCharmz · 09/03/2026 22:42

@ElspethTassione Are you on hrt? Some report needing a systemic approach as well as topical.

longtompot · 09/03/2026 23:17

@ElspethTassione sorry no, I was referred to my local nhs hospital gynae dept and the consultant there prescribed the meds and dose. I hope you get it sorted soon

Sidebeforeself · 10/03/2026 09:50

OP - can I ask if your symptoms are worse at night? Mine seem to be

NippyNinjaCrab · 10/03/2026 10:14

Thank you foe creating this thread OP, I said to my Husband last night I hate being a woman!

I am on HRT and like you, the vaginal atrophy symptoms appeared overnight. I originally thought i had a severe case of thrush. It was a thread on here that made me realise it was my vagina getting older and crispy 😆

I started off with the vaginal cream for 2 weeks and then twice a week. It made no difference. I asked for the tablet and the cream for external. I did the tablet for 4 weeks, along with the cream external and I reduced to every second day and now I am twice a week. We haven't had sex since I started the tablet, the pain and the after pain has completely turned me off. I would love to try Testosterone. I am still getting the itchy symptoms occasionally and when this happens I use the cream. It doesn't help that I use Utrogestan vaginally at night. Its disgusting and sticky.

Any other suggestions gratefully received. I will join that FB group thank you for giving that info @LuckyCharmz

Solidarity @ElspethTassione ❤️

Ps I tried the YES vm and it made my symptoms worse. My GP said that my vaginal wall was still fragile. 😪