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My doc refused me oestrogen few years ago .

Posted , 5 users are following.

Marieclare
Marieclare

Doc said estogen could only be used temporarily. I'm 67 and sex too painful . My partner of 54 isn't ready to stop being intimate but it's almost non existent .

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Suki_girl
    Suki_girl Marieclare

    Posted

    Was the estrogen working for you? In what form did you take it - oral tablets, patch, pessaries, cream?
    • Marieclare
      Marieclare Suki_girl

      Posted

      I didn't get offered oestrogen as doc didn't like prescribing it as she thought it was a cancer risk. I'm going back to doctors after seeing this forum.

    • Suki_girl
      Suki_girl Marieclare

      Posted

      Studies have shown that the amount of estrogen that enters the blood is negligible when you apply it to the vagina in pessary or cream form. Furthermore, if you get cream containing estriol that particular estrogen has a protective function so, unlike estrodiol and estrone that carry the risk of cancer and cardiovascular issues, estriol actual protects against cancer and cardiovascular problems. Estriol cream is available on prescription in the uk as ovestin, and in Europe and Japan. It is in Japan that they have extensively studied the beneficial effects of estriol. I live in the U.K. but those on this forum who live in the US tell me that estriol is not available in ready made cream form  - it has to be compounded by a compounding pharmacy (we don’t have those in the U.K.).
    • Marieclare
      Marieclare Suki_girl

      Posted

      Thank you for the info. I will certainly ask about this when I see my doctor
  • Dotsie
    Dotsie Marieclare

    Posted

    Sorry to hear this.I think you probably need to read everything people are saying on here.There is lots of help out there  if you are prepared to do some research. Everyone is different.Vagifem pessaries could be a good start. I would go back to your doctor and talk about that.There are buckthorn capsules to take every day for the inside skin. Hoping your partner is sympathetic and then you can discuss lubricants for your intimate times. There are vaginal moisturisers to use all the time. Absolutely no soaps to be used. I use hydromal ointment on prescription to wash but you can buy it or similar. Extra virgin coconut oil in jar ..not liquid..form can be inserted, vitamin e capsules can be inserted or broken and rubbed around outside area,giving up smoking if you smoke is paramount for the circulation and of course sex is highly recommended but you need to get help first to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Usually the vagifem is prescribed for 2 weeks every night and then twice a week. Probably need to get started on that or similar. It really is down to the individual as what suits one person doesn’t always suit another.  Good luck .. it’s not an easy journey but this site has really helped me. The doctors aren’t really interested unless you get lucky... it’s a undesirable subject it seems to be ... it should be addressed much more easily . My two very good girlfriends.. all in our late fifties hadn’t heard of vaginal atrophy when I told them my diagnosis... and neither had I!!!!! We are all intelligent woman. I would have had HRT in my forties with my menapause if I had known about this. I thought I was being good not having help then... obviously not !!!!! 😊

    • Marieclare
      Marieclare Dotsie

      Posted

      Thank you for all the info Dotsie. I have tried every lubricant going over the last 4 years and nothing is helping. It is a very unknown condition or should I say condition which nobody discusses ! Tv seems to imply that we postmenopausal women are still having great sex lives and I have never heard of this condition being raised. I was sent away by the doctor and told she didn't agree with using estogen cream because of cancer risk. I will go back and ask again . That doctor has now left so maybe I'll have a better outcome next time.

    • Dotsie
      Dotsie Marieclare

      Posted

      I’m sure another doctor will be a lot more helpful. I’m sure the oestrogen will help a lot and leading on to a good lubricant. One called Yes keeps popping up on here.I’m not in a sexual relationship at the moment and haven’t been since this started so I can’t really comment on help but there are lots of  ladies out there but there are others on here who can. The whole thing is ridiculous.. over 80% of women will suffer from vaginal atrophy at some time. It took me over a year with different doctors, unnecessary treatments for thrush,unnecessary antibiotics,time off work and of  course .. worry and discomfort. I had to go private and as soon as the gynaecologist looked .. she said vaginal atrophy!!! I had no idea what she meant. She was kind and helpful and obviously then the ball started with Vagifem pessaries... everything else I have found out totally on my own with these forums and google 
    • lindanb
      lindanb Marieclare

      Posted

      There are many studies online that say that estrogen creams seem safe, at least gor a year. It does not get into your bloodstream. Unless you have cancer or a heart condition, you should be able to use it and your doctors are being alarmist. Estrace has 0.1mg/gm of estradiol. If you are not getting relief from otc treatments you need to ask to see a gyno. Right now they believe it's safe for a least a year. In a year, you can be much healthier and then use otc moisturizer. Your docs need to do some research.

  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 Marieclare

    Posted

    Marieclare, was this a GP or a gynecologist that you saw? Personally, I have never seen a GP for gyn issues. Even gynecologists who specialize can misdiagnose. I can't imagine my GP would recognize AV, but typically when I see him he refers me to specialists. At least that's how it works at the particular medical center I go to in the US. Sometimes I just call for a referral without even seeing the GP. Supposedly the specialists send the results to the GP, but I have my doubts any GP can keep up with all that info. 

    I was diagnosed with AV but resisted using hormone cream for the last 3 years because I am not in a sexual relationship and had no discomfort. I went to see a gyno recently I discovered I have further problems due to the lack of estrogen, so I given in and am using hormone cream. 

    I have one friend who has had 2 go rounds with breast cancer & will not use hormones. She uses coconut oil for lubricant. Possibly YES as well.

    • Marieclare
      Marieclare beverly52803

      Posted

      We have to see our GP first here in the UK. I have not seen a specialist and only approached the docor once 4 years ago. I thought I would have to live with it as doc didn't believe in prescribing estogen . I'm going back as it has got worse for intimacy and too painful for sex. I don't really have problems apart from that.

    • Suki_girl
      Suki_girl Marieclare

      Posted

      I think it depends on the GP. I had one that wanted me to go on HRT at the first signs of premenopause, telling me vaginal atrophy was inevitable and I should start with HRT before it became too late and the atrophy was irreparable. Another GP let me try natural measures until sex got painful I I asked what could help with that. Straight away she put me on vagifem but I reacted badly to that, then she tried me on ovestin cream and the results were amazing. Within a few weeks my privates were nice and plump and juicy again, looked years younger and sex was wonderful. She says I could stay on it for life. I guess, form what you are saying, other GPs are reticent about all HRT.
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 Suki_girl

      Posted

      That's where it gets tricky. One says never use it, another says use it for life, another says only for a year. How are we supposed to make sense of this? Clearly doctors read the studies then come to very different conclusions. Doesn't inspire me with confidence, but I don't see any alternatives at this point. 

    • Suki_girl
      Suki_girl beverly52803

      Posted

      I guess we have to read the studies, gather as much information as we can, get as much advice as we can, weigh up the risks vs the benefits, and come to our own conclusions - after all, it is my body. I suppose we shouldn’t have to, but I do that anyway with everything medical. For example, my GP put me on a topical treatement for acne. I was trying to get preganant at the time and she told me it was safe for pregnant women. I read the leaflet that said the effects on the baby were not known and I did research on the internet that said it had only been shown to be safe for pregnant animals and human studies had not been done yet so human side effects weren’t known yet. I stopped using it straight away .... remember thalidomide?
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 Suki_girl

      Posted

      Yes, I do. That is exactly why I am reluctant to use medications. But look where that has gotten me re my current LS problems. Doubtless you are more qualified to assess study results than most because of the work you do. I am often left unsure because of so much of the terminology.

      I used to date an oncologist and he spent every night reading medical literature. I just wish they would share more of what they know with us, unless at this point in time the medical field knows little to nothing about problems after menopause. Is that possible?

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