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Estriol Vaginal Cream.. Menopause .. anyone tried it for Vaginal Dryness ?

Posted , 30 users are following.

jayneejay
jayneejay

wondering if this is a moderately safer option... low dose... ?

anyone use it etc... or similar .. 

VAGINAL DRYNESS

Lack of estrogen can cause dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissues making intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. The first sign of an effect of reduced estrogen on the vagina is reduced lubrication during sexual activity. HRT can alleviate this but even if you cannot take systemic HRT you may still be able to use estrogen topically to the vagina. This is available in a few forms; creams administered via applicators, waxy pessaries, small tablets inserted with an applicator or a vaginal ring which stays in place for 3 months at a time. For creams, pessaries or vaginal tablets, the initial dose is 1 application nightly for 2 weeks, followed by the maintenance dose of 1 application twice weekly. Low dose vaginal estrogen preparations can be used long term without causing any known systemic effect, and without needing any progestogenic protection of the lining of the womb.

Even if you cannot or do not want to use hormones there are other options. Over the counter bio-adhesive vaginal moisturisers are very effective. A range of products are available, many of which are easier to use than KY jelly, which is water based and more slippery. These moisturizers are also slightly acidic which helps prevent vaginal infections. One other advantage is that they do not need to be used at the time of intercourse. Some women have found a Tea tree oil based product helpful. Several non-hormonal vaginal products can be also be prescribed and include Replens MD, Hyalofemme and Sylk.

Please note: Patients should consult a health professional to decide on the appropriate treatment option to be prescribed.

VAGINAL TREATMENTS

Local estrogen can be used for vaginal and bladder symptoms, when systemic treatment is not desired or appropriate. For some women, vaginal estrogen may be required along with systemic HRT. 

2 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • SStoo
    SStoo jayneejay

    Posted

    Does anyone have info about use of Estriol instead of conventional HRT... I have no menopausal symptoms at present except no periods... consultant keen for me to take HRT but I am nervous about that. My main concern for the future is osteoporosis. Any thoughts/ info welcome...
  • Tricia55
    Tricia55 jayneejay

    Posted

    Hi I just found this page, my specialist at the the hospital suggested I use Estriol cream as for the past 9 months I have had constant Urinary Tract Infections, she said this is quite common in women who have gone through the Menopause, the thing is that I have always steared away from HRT of any form and now wonder if this will interfere with my hormone balance.  You see for the first time in about 30 years I am actually feeling what I would describe as normal, I don't want to upset the apple cart so to speak.  Any advice would be welcome as I now have another U.T.I., & it's driving me nuts.  Thank you for reading and responding.

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 Tricia55

      Posted

      Hi Tricia,

      Know exactly how you feel, I was the same ; never used any hormones like estrogen or progesterone before and felt I too was feeling like I had foundyself for it time in years.

      Anyhow Estriol was suggested to me for vaginally dryness and to aid pelvic repair surgery.

      Estriol in topical form (cream or tablet for internal insertion ) is only given in very small dose straight to the targeted area and therfore very little hormone is absorbed into the blood stream and therfore a very low risk of any negative effects.

      I have been on it for almost 3 months and if anything my husband reckons that it has had positive effects.

      Hope this helps ,

      Phyl x💖

    • Tricia55
      Tricia55 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Hi Phyl,

      Thanks for the information, I will certainly give it go since it's not going straight into my bloodstream, I really just want to get rid of these silly U.T.I.'s  it's so annoying.

      Thank you,

      Tricia xx smile

  • cathyb66
    cathyb66 jayneejay

    Posted

    Thanks for the posts, you have encouraged me to give it a go after 2 months of looking at the instructions smile 

  • jackie93302
    jackie93302 jayneejay

    Posted

    Hello ladies, I'm new to this forum and after yet again another uti aswell as being 14 months with no period, spending Xmas eve at the outpatient department with my urine sample hidden in a doggy poo bag, suffering lichen sclerosis for approximately 15 years I was given Ovestin cream by my G.P. and I'm hoping it will prove to be the answer. I'm concerned as I can't use steroids for the LS so I'm worried the Ovestin will burn like hell but equally I'm not long married and don't fancy a sexless marriage. Thankfully my husband is very supportive and understanding as all you ladies seem to be.

    So after my course of antibiotics I'll be trying the Ovestin on Valentines day......I'd rather have chocs and flowers but hey ho 😄

    • jackie93302
      jackie93302

      Posted

      P.S.

      Just want to point out the urine sample was in a bottle in a poo bag, not just a poo bag 😱

  • Jojo2020
    Jojo2020 jayneejay

    Posted

    I've been prescribed Estridol for vaginal atrophy. When ever I use it I get a sensation of crawling insects on my skin, not where I apply the estrodol but on my legs, buttocks and torso. Does anyone else experience this?

  • marie81587
    marie81587 jayneejay

    Posted

    HI,

    I wanted to know do you need to be taking a progesterone when taking estriol?  I have been using estriol  0.5% cream since May 2017. The cream does not have anything else in it like Vitamin C. Should the estriol cream have other things in it besides estriol?  I have been using it for both vaginal dryness and wrinkles on face.  Is using in on the face daily safe.   

    thanks Marie

     

  • lin64644
    lin64644 jayneejay

    Posted

    Hello. I’ve just found this forum. I’ve used this estriol cream before and it tended to give me what feels like cramps in my ovaries. I told the doctor this but she dismissed it and advised me to start using again. I’ve done so but have got the same feeling again after using everyday for 5 days. Has anyone else experienced this at all? 
    • gloria46937
      gloria46937 lin64644

      Posted

      I'm having the same symptoms. Like a tight pinching in one side of my abdomen. This didn't happen in the first two weeks when I was using it every night, but now that I'm down to only twice a week, it has started. Thinking I may have to use it 3 times a week.

    • jen78653
      jen78653 gloria46937

      Posted

      i know this is awhile ago you posted, but im having the same pinching. did it ever resolve? did you find out why? pinch on left side near ovary when i take estrogen insert

  • GailD
    GailD jayneejay

    Posted

    Hi, I haven't had this problem but I know someone who has and she was told it was an allergic reaction. For vaginal dryness she was prescribed, vagifem and that seemed ok. Sorry this isnt a personal experience but thought it might help. Hope you find relief with something , take good care, gx

    • lin64644
      lin64644 GailD

      Posted

      Aah thanks Gail. I’ll go back to the Doctors then and hopefully get something else. 
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