Gina vaginal oestrogen available without prescription

Thank you all for your comments.

I am feeling more confident about using Estriol now, though I am a still a bit worried about side effects.

Though being sensible about it, it is a very low dosage. I am terrible at talking myself into having side effects. I know other people who pop pills without a second thought but I have always been the opposite. I don't even like taking pain killers.

Have you tried Yes? It’s an organic water based natural vaginal moisturiser.

I have suffered dreadfully from dryness and burning. A few years ago I complained to my doctor that it was like having a nest of fire ants in my undercarriage. She prescribed Estriol which worked well but a few months ago it was changed to Ovestin. Last week I returned to the same doctor and begged her to change the prescription back as the Ovestin clearly wasn’t working. She confided in me that she had the same issues and her GP had made the switch of medication and she had changed back to Estriol. Ovestin apparently is cheaper to prescribe than Estriol.
Symptoms have not gone completely but the relief is really great.

I have used Estriol for several years, for vaginal dryness. So far I have had no problems. I too was hesitant at first, but the dryness was making me feel so uncomfortable that I decided to use it.

You have nothing to lose, PinkCosmos by following the instructions of the prescription but everything to gain. Replens is great for removing dead cells but the oestrogen helps much more with feeling, bladder control, etc.

PinkCosmos I used to use Vagifem but my prescription has now changed over to Vagirux - it's still oestrogen - but my Dr says it's safe for me to use despite my having had breast cancer in 1998, because the dose is very small and only used twice a week topically.

I started using Replens and had a similar issue with discharge. Yes if you don’t use it for a while it will happen when you restart. I managed to ask the GP as I had to see her about something else and she prescribed Vagifem. I’m very happy with this so far. I believe it’s the same as Gina. The other thing I tried was Dr Woolfs Vagisan cream. I found this to be very effective and it’s hormone free if that is better for some people. It works out a bit expensive but it’s possible to use it sparingly once the problem starts to subside. I hope this is helpful.

I realise that this is an old thread but wanted to revive it to say that I have just got a prescription for Estriol (vaginal oestrogen 0.01%) after considering starting to use it since my original post.

I have never taken HRT or the pill and am not on any medication. I am a bit paranoid about side effects of any medication, which is the main reason I never took the pill when I was younger.

I have been using Replens vaginal moisturiser for a few years now and it does seem to work ok - if I remember to use it regularly!!

I am in a dilemma now. Do I try the Estriol or stick with the Replens (which I don't get on prescription). Hope this isn't TMI but my external lady bits seem to have shrunk since the menopause and I was wondering if the Estriol would improve this?

I have searched through the old threads for info but they were going way back to 2015.

I'm not sure whether Estriol (or similar) were higher doses in those days

Also, because I have been using Replens, my dryness is not too bad at the moment. It says on the Estriol instructions to use it every day for the first three weeks and then twice a week thereafter. I was wondering if I could just go straight to twice a week as my VA is not so severe.

I wasn't able to speak to the GP about this as I made the request through the Surgery App and just got a message back saying to collect a prescription. Whilst the App is good for minor issues, it would have been nice to speak to my GP in person.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

The discharge issue was why I stopped using Replens. I use Imvaggis oestrogen pessary on prescription which is a lower dose than Vagifem, but the Vagifem gave me migraines so had to stop. The Imvaggis is working really well, if not quite as convenient to use as Vagifem because it's a waxy pellet with no applicator. Only have to use it twice a week though after the initial 3 week loading dose.

PinkCosmos, Replens is merely a lubricant whilst Vagifem delivers oestrogen to the relevant parts!

Vagifem works well for me , don't use anything else.

Espee - yes, I was aware of the difference but haven't wanted to go down the oestrogen route. However, the Replens is causing me a few issues and I think that oestrogen would be a better option.

From what I have read it seems fairly safe to use in a localised area.

I have never taken the contraceptive pill or had HRT as I was always worried about side effects.

Icanhandthemback - I have never tried Vagifem and Replens together. I thought they were the same thing under different brand names.

Replens is a moisturiser, Gina is a localised form of HRT. As your problems are the result of menopause i.e. reduction of oestrogen then my gut reaction is that Gina, or any other oestrogen would be far superior.

I use Vagifem pessaries which work very well as cream seems to cause me problems. I love what Replens does but don't enjoy the dead cells side of things. It certainly makes a difference especially if I use Vagifem and Replens together.

Interesting, thanks for the thread. www.gov.uk/government/news/easier-access-to-locally-applied-hrt-to-treat-postmenopausal-vaginal-symptoms-in-landmark-mhra-reclassification#:~:text=Gina%2010%20microgram%20vaginal%20tablets%20(containing%20estradiol)%20are%20used%20for,for%20at%20least%201%20year.

No, it isn't thrush. It is a known side effect - if you can call it that.

Here is a quote from the Replens website

Some women notice a residue or discharge after initial use of Replens MDTM. This is caused by the elimination of dead skin cells. Your body naturally sheds dry vaginal tissue that has built up over time. Replens MDTM enhances this renewal process and leaves softer, more supple tissue behind.

I must admit that I can be a bit forgetful about using it. The discharge usually happens if I have forgotten for a week or so.

PinkCosmos

I have just seen on the news that Gina vaginal oestrogen may be available over the counter from September.

I suffer from vaginal dryness and have been using Replens for the last few years. It's OK but I sometimes get white discharge. It's not exactly discharge, it is like small white lumps like cottage cheese. According to Replens this is old cells being shed. I don't understand how this would still be happening after a few years.

Has anyone used Gina (or similar)? Would you recommend it? Can you use it long term?

Hi PinkCosmos, could
the discharge you mentioned be thrush?

Thanks. I have been thinking of going to see the GP about it but it is a nightmare getting an appointment.

I use Ovestin, on prescription from my GP. Used for nearly eight months, excellent so far . Do try your GP though and get it free.

I use ovestin hrt cream twice a week which I get on prescription...It was prescribed for vaginal dryness and help with UTI's...I don't have any discharge at all...No Vaginal dryness or UTI's either...Is this the same as Gina???