Estriol

[BooseysMom]

Has anyone experienced extreme mood swings, crying, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts from using Estriol cream? I have only just started it 4 days ago so can't believe it's that as it's only a low dose cream, but maybe it is, although I have alot of life stress atm and the heat isn't helping. I was prescribed the cream for burning down below which I am still getting. Should I stop?

Using it twice a week for a year is the equivalent of one day on HRT. It's is 100th of the dose of a 1mg dose of estrogen and is only absorbed locally.

It's more likely that you're experiencing loss of estrogen which is giving you these symptoms.

Whereabouts are you in terms of periods - are you in peri or post menopause?

JinglingSpringbells
Thanks for replying. I haven't had a period for about 2 months. I tried HRT for aching but am sensitive to the oestrogen in it as I had swollen painful breasts. I told the doctor and they increased the patch which made it horrendous so I came off it all. There seemed to be nothing that would help. Then the burning sensation down below got too bad to cope with any longer so I tried the Estriol but came off it when it didn't work, then tried again as felt I didn't allow long enough but here I am with even worse burning! Am at my wits end! I suppose everyone will say I haven't given it long enough.

I tried HRT for aching but am sensitive to the oestrogen in it as I had swollen painful breasts. I told the doctor and they increased the patch which made it horrendous so I came off it all.

Why on earth did your dr increase the dose ? Madness!

That side effect with your breasts is dose-related, not simply estrogen- related, as it's the same estrogen we have. Sore breasts can also be caused by the type of progesterone so it's worth considering that as the patch would contain both hormones for the 2nd part of the month.

You should try estrogen gel- you can start on 1/2 a pump and work upwards. The normal dose is 2 pumps but some women get on fine with less (or more.)

I remember your other thread about vaginal estrogen and the advice was to carry on as you'd only used it for a few days / 2 weeks?

There are many other types you can try and some are weaker.
https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/vaginal-hormones-what-you-need-to-know

It is true that the cream can cause a burning feeling at first as the skin is so thin and tender. This will improve.

But if you don't want to persevere, maybe try one of the other types- see the link.

Why on earth did your dr increase the dose ? Madness!

I know! It was a so-called menopause specialist nurse who was about 30. Sorry, not meaning to be ageist but how can someone that young be a menopause specialist?! 😆

I think I was on Evorel Sequi patches which changed half-way through the month plus Utrogesten pills. In the beginning I tried Estrogel. I was on the max pumps for this and it didn't touch the aching and I still had insomnia. I didn't really get hot flushes.
When I stopped it all, I felt much better for a while. But of course it was most likely psychological and the symptoms returned. Hence where I am now.

Thanks for finding my previous thread on the cream. I couldn't remember why I stopped it. I will persevere.

Thank you for the link and for this advice. It's really good of you. 😊

You're welcome.
If the cream doesn't work try Blissel gel or maybe the pessaries like Vagifem?

Vagigem has literally saved my vagina !
I couldn't get relief with cream it made it burn and so sore itchy !!I'm on low dose femistone conti and it's the best hrt !!! I've been in patches gels pessaries u name it I've tried it !!

I had terrible atrophy which crept up on me, staring with cystitis, like symptoms, soreness, thrush, until I was experiencing pain in my whole vaginal, vulval and perineal areas. Vagifem worked for me, and you must continue with it after you feel better. I now, 4 years on, use 4 times a week, after an initial burst of every day. The atrophy happened despite me being on systemic HRT for several years before that.
Recently I also started using oestriol cream around the clitoris at the recommendation of a menopause specialist and that has, after a couple of months, reversed the clitoral shrinkage I had. It might be worth trying a pessary first if the cream is stinging.
I am a lurker here and it pisses me off how much misinformation and poor treatment women get from healthcare providers. I am particularly keen to encourage the use of topical oestrogen (pessaries and cream) even if you don't want to take Systemic HRT - my friend who is a GP put me on to this. She tells me of so many elderly women with urogenital symptoms they simply would not be having if they were on it - and it's too late for them.

I know! It was a so-called menopause specialist nurse who was about 30. Sorry, not meaning to be ageist but how can someone that young be a menopause specialist?! 😆

Why not?
I do get what you mean but they might have the most current research based information rather than framing it around their own experiences which can be biased or looking at it from one lens.