Do vaginal estradiol pessaries help enough without using external cream?

[Breadbutterandjam]

Hi. I started on vaginal Estradiol pessaries. It’s still early days.
i was speaking to my friend saying how different I looked down below, and things seem to have disappeared. She was saying she is on the pessaries and the cream for outside.

My GP won’t prescribe both, she said the pessaries will do the job. I’ve tried to order Ovesse from Boots but when I answer the questions, they won’t prescribe it.

Do I need both? Did anyone find any difference in a good way with just the pessaries?

I’ve met a new man and I would just love to have that part of my life back again.

I've been using the pessaries alone for about 15 years. I've never had the cream (until I joined MN a few years ago I didn’t know it existed!) and have been absolutely fine.

the nurse at my GP was happy to prescribe both….

My go had also prescribed both. If you don’t see improvement with pessaries push back for the cream too

I have the cream and put some on the outside and the rest inside so it does both jobs.

I've been prescribed both but I find the cream gives me thrush. I've found that either a vaginal moisturiser (e.g. "Yes") or this cream I found from New Zealand (Myregena) are really helpful, on top of the pessary. In my head the pessary is helping with the inside stuff, but I need help outside too!

I'm prescribed both. The pessaries do the job internally but nothing for the vulval area you need the oestrogen cream for that, it makes a huge difference. If your gp continues to refuse both ask to switch to the cream as that can be used internally too. There are moisturisers for the vulval area but really nothing works as well as oestrogen cream. If things are disappearing literally it's worth looking at lichen sclerosis too. This is different to atrophy and requires steroid cream to treat. I have it and use all three to maintain things down below and have been doing so for about 6 years.

It’s frustrating that boots won’t send the cream for anyone under 50 especially when I have several friends in their 40’s who have it from their gp.
I waited til I was 49.5 and then told boots online I was 50, got it no probs.

I’m 55 and completed all the questions they said they wouldn’t give it to me. I have no idea why.

I’ve thought about that but I don’t see any sores, or white patches. I maybe just call the GP back and ask for the cream too.

Ah that is annoying. I’d push at the gp then,the cream really does make a difference

Everything I've looked at regarding buying ovesse over the counter says you have to be over 50 and no longer having periods for them to give it to you.

I'm 51 but still having periods so I think I'll need to talk to my GP.

It’s a bit of a strange question about the periods, I’ve got the mirena coil as part of my hrt so haven’t had a period for 4 years but that may be entirely down to the coil and not my body, who knows. Im sure this applies to lots of women. I answered no periods for a year which is technically true but 🤷‍♀️

And again, friends in their 40’s who have the cream prescribed by gp are still having periods. I’m not sure I understand this at all!

did you ask why?
You need to ask.
You can buy is online directly from Ovesse.

They can't prove you are still having periods.

The reason for the question is the product licensing when sold OTC.
It was only 3 years ago it was available over the counter.
The license is for women post menopause and that is over 50 in most cases.

GPs can prescribe it at any age and also if you still have periods.

That’s helpful thank you

I got mine from a different chemist - click 2 pharmacy - maybe you'll have more luck with them?