Averting oestrogen cream

I'm sorry I don't have any advice but I am hoping that we will have some ladies reply with some good words of wisdom! I plan to follow this discussion. 

I may have to introduce the product you are on into my life or some form of Estrogen if my dryness/atrophy doesn't get better. I'm 49 and hormones are crashing fast. I have started with the over the counter progesterone and will see where my dryness is at the month 3 marker. No amount of lubrication will change the situation (yes it helps with sex life)...as the lubrication does not "restore'. I just joined the Atrophic Vaginitis group to start educating myself on the options (yes you can try Vitamin E and Coconut Oil yada, yada - but again - non restorative from others' experiences)  I'm learning I am going to have to be very proactive about the vaginal dryness or I may looking at constant UTI's down the road, prolapse and other very unsettling symptoms. 

I have just started having the join paint in June; again when this all started to change. Everything cracks and aches days leading up to my period (If I have one) and into the next week - all when my Estrogen is at the bottom. I am beginning to think I may have to the the Bio-identical Hormone Therapy or start the Birth Control Pill. Take care, Louisa and thank for sharing your experience. 

Hi Louisa!

I'm in the U.S. and I use an estrogen cream called Estrace for my AV, I also have bladder and a bit of rectal prolapse. It's been a year since I started the cream and it's, for me, amazing. I was suffering very bad yeast infections, BV, bladder infections, heavy feeling like everything was trying to fall out. It took several months to finally be diagnosed, I was convinced it was all the harsh meds to clear up those infections was what the problem was so I used all the over the counter stuff, Replens, Coconut Oil, Vit. E, you name it and I tried it, those are only "band aides", because the real issue is crashing hormones. My Gyno told me that the reason I was having bladder issues is because the bladder depends on estrogen and I guess she was right, I haven't had a UTI since I started the cream. So I started the cream, after much agonizing over it, and then went to pelvic floor physical therapy to learn the correct way to do kegel exercises and others that help strengthen my pelvic floor. The results in that area are amazing, not like when I was a youngster but as close as I'm going to get being in menopause (tech post menopause since I had a hysto in 2001 but kept my ovaries). As far as the topical creams go, very little is absorbed into your system, I have a history of fibroid tumors and breast cancer in the family and my doc's (heart, GP, Gyno, and Oncologist) all said it's very safe to use, even in women with active cancer (depending on the cancer). I've never tried oral hormones bc my doctors don't think those would be safe with my history. 

As far as joint pain, it has done nothing for that, I'm not sure what will help with that to be honest. I'll be 51 soon and it seems there's a new ache every morning. My fingers are the worst, some mornings it takes me a few minutes to be able to bend them then I have to massage them. I'm on several meds for my heart and high blood pressure along with anxiety meds, so I'm limited in what I can take. I rely on Tylenol and that usually helps along with exercise, as much as I hate it LOL. 

Good Luck! Hope you find something that helps!