Vaginal Atrophy diagnosis

I've recently been prescribed ovestin (estriol ) cream , use intavaginally with an applicator. Like you I was a little worried ,about side effects etc but it has only very small amounts of oestrogen in it. I'm 62 and didn't use any other HRT . I have a pelvic organ prolapse and my gynaecologist recommended I start using it as I was getting so sore and uncomfortable and repeated uti infections .
I've been using for 3 weeks as prescribed and feel so much better I don't know why I was suffering in silence . The only downside is it causes a bit of discharge but a light pantelleria deals with this .
Hope this helps to reassure you, it's a miserable condition to have to put up with it . All the best 👍

I have Vaginal Atrophy which was diagnosed in 2018 and I was in so much pain, my skin was cracking and bleeding and looked grey. No chance of bedroom antics even having a wee hurt. I was prescribed Estradiol cream (I was too sore to insert pessaries) and that eventually calmed everything down. I was delighted. Then in 2019 I went for a check up and it turns out to be Lichen Sclerosis as well. Double trouble! I was prescribed Zumenon which is an estrogen only HRT which has helped a lot with the VA and Betamethasone cream for flare ups of the LP.

I have been fully warned about the possible dangers of HRT but I have chosen quality of life at the moment.

DiggingDoris I suggest that you give it a try with the pessaries and if they don't help go back to your gynaecologist and try something else. We deserve to live our best life.

Just a word of warning about Estradiol. You shouldn't use it if you are taking anti-oestrogen pills, as I am, after breast cancer.

There is a vaginal disease called Lichen Sclerosis. It has an alternative name “the old ladies disease”. About one in every hundred of us is likely to get it and it is under diagnosed. Just be sure that you are treating the right thing.

Hi Doris. I’ve been using Estriol cream for 14 years or so.
No problems at all. I use it twice a week. My GP assured me I could carry on using it indefinitely.

I’ve been using Vagifem for 10 years …twice a week because I have a ring pessary inserted and can’t take HRT ( strokes) .
Easy peasy to insert and never have any problem with them .

Interesting, GrannaKaye. I have found that sanitary protection, creams, washing products and toilet tissue can make such a difference. I now use Aloe Vera or Coconut Toilet paper and Sana Panty Pads which has made a significant change for the good. I wish I'd known this years ago!

Beebee 24, I had breast cancer in 2017. In 2020 I started using Vagifem again. My new GP only gave me a prescription for 3 months. When I went back after the 3 months she said, "Here's a prescription for a year but contact me immediately if you have any symptoms of tenderness in your breasts." And I told her then that I already did. That was the end of that. My issues are more to do with 2 vaginal scars: an episiotomy and one from over 10 years ago for bladder repair...makes intercourse impossible since menopause, but we cope I also found using a different toilet (Charmin) paper totally alleviated external itchiness and dryness issues.

I think you should discuss your concern with your gynaeocologist. I too have heard that even the pessaries can increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, uterus and ovaries.

Obviously, you no longer need to worry about uterine cancer, but you didn't mention whether you still have your ovaries or not.

Failing the gynaeocologist ask your G.P. and try to find out if you don't already know whether your mother, grandmothers or sisters and aunts have had cancer or cancer scares.

Relevant information for your doctors when assessing the safety or risk of the drug is whether you ever used the contraceptive pill and if so which make and for how long you used it.

Just wondered whether anyone on here has had breast cancer but still uses some form of estriol/estradiol for V.A.? My oncologist says it's fine to do so as the amount contained in Vagifem etc. is so small but having had breast cancer myself and having used Ovestin for several years previously (which did help with V.A.) I'm very nervous.

I was prescribed vagifem (via a phone consultation, not physical examination) because of bedroom athletics becoming very uncomfortable. The prescription was later changed to vagirux, because it is cheaper apparently. Helped with the marital activities somewhat, though still have to supplements with OTC gel (sorry if this is tmi but this info might help others). It hasn't helped at all with having to run when I need to wee though, unfortunately.
Hasn't helped with remembering to apply it either!

Vagifem (Estradiol) for me (and lube as required). I've been using it since 2017, no problems except I need a higher dose than it was initially prescribed at. I use two pessaries, twice a week, for 12 weeks, them 4 weeks off. Thank heaven for electronic diaries, I'd never remember otherwise.

Use the, it makes such a difference. I couldn't use the creams so use Vagifem pessaries and I am so glad I do. I use Replens too which sloughs away the dead cells which really helps if you are still sexually active.

Hormone pessaries did nothing for me. By trial and error I found that. Replens MD was a life saver! No hormones, but I do have to use it daily. However it works really, really well.

Fellow sufferer here. I think Vagifem ( or the estradiol generic version) pessaries offer a comparatively safe level of localised hormones and really make a difference. Also Sea buckthorn oil (from Berries not seeds taken orally help me. these are not cheap at around £20 per month for one a day but I think they work. The YES brand of organic oil and water based personal lubricants are also very good. I used the oil based one as intimate moisturizer after a shower and that really helps.

I was prescribed Vagifem because of UTIs. There is a slight discharge but nothing that bothers me too much.

I use Ovestin 1mg. It’s helped to stop the regular ITUs I used to suffer. It’s a cream with a tiny amount of hormone.

I am nearly 70 and had constant UTI s I use vagifem and it's given me my life back. Definitely recommend it.

I had exactly the same in January this year, constant itching and discomfort, the GP said I had vaginal atrophy, I had no idea what it was and didn't want to be poking things inside me. Anyway, six months on & I now know I can choose either little tablets to put up me 2x weekly or cream to do the same. I go with the cream as I only need one plastic thing to insert & don't gum up the planet with plastic. It's fine though I do forget to use it quite often & catch up. There's a really good Facebook group called vaginal atrophy, the moderators are good and one, Vicky lomas, often answers questions with bits from the NHS website so you know its good advice. The amount of oestrogen is very low taken this way. Its really just a matter of getting used to it

I use Ovestin prescribed by the GP. It is marvellous. Keeps everything moist. It oestrogen based. Used twice a week

I use Ovestin prescribed by the GP. It is marvellous. Keeps everything moist. It oestrogen based. Used twice a week.

Diggingdoris, my doctor prescribed me a cream for V.A. called Cetraben to wash with in the shower. I only use it on my lady parts and this does it for me. It’s a horrible condition, I didn’t know how to sit on a chair comfortably.

I have used Estriol cream vaginally for several years . Was told that there is such low dose of hormone that it should not be a risk. I am so much more comfortable now I'm using it as I couldn't even sit without discomfort before

The Estriol has made such a difference. to me. I have had breast cancer but oncologist is happy for me to use Estriol as dosage is so small and it is applied directly where it needs to be so chance of cancer re-occuring is minute. Life is too short to be dealing with dribbles, sore vagina etc. Go for it.

Sorry Doris and Kitty I assumed ( incorrectly) that Vagifem and Replens were similar products obviously not.
I was prescribed Replens and cream which worked well for me.
Replens can be very helpful in vaginal atrophy for those who have no problem using it. Vagifem if on prescription would be better I assume for tackling the issue.