Ovestin

Actually I have never understood why anyone would not take oestrogen and progesterone replacement therapy. Diabetics take insulin hormone replacement and many people, myself included, take thyroid replacement hormone and no doctor would ever suggest that those should be stopped.

I shall be forever grateful to the GP who started me on HRT when I was perimenopausal. I am now 76 and will take it for ever. I’m convinced that it has kept at bay all the ailments that many of my peers suffer from including bladder issues and vaginal atrophy. I recently had a DEXA scan because my current GP was concerned about a link between the levothyroxine I take and osteoporosis - apparently I have the bones of a 30 year old!

I was never on HRT ….had two strokes before 50 so considered too dangerous ….and as the Pill was blamed for my stroke at 35 years old …I stay well clear of the whole hormone stuff…and let nature do her thing. I’m 9.5 stone …fit…I walk at least 3 miles a day …..swim twice weekly…. and eat little 1000 -1200 calories a day.
I have night sweats and that’s all …but after 20 years …they’re finially diminishing .

Sorry, I think Jane Lewis's book is actually called Me and My Menopausal Vagina

I use topical oestrogen in the form of vagifem pessaries every other night and ovestin cream twice a day. These are prescribed by my GP and I also buy Yes! WB (Water Based) and OB (Oil Based) vaginal moisturizers on line to use twice a day (though I have heard that some GPS will also prescribe these.) I do this for vaginal atrophy and pelvic pain. I am 68 and have been using these for a couple of years.
I had UTI like problems/interstitial cystitis (testing rarely showed any infection) for many years but have had no urinary problems since using topical oestrogen. So I now think that I had undiagnosed GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.)
Many GPS are still undereducated about vaginal atrophy and GSM and do not prescribe sufficiently or quite often try to reduce the prescription once it is working and the symptoms have reduced. But when a woman needs these products, she needs them for life or the symptoms come back with a vengeance. This has happened to me this last year. In my ignorance, I thought that I would reduce my vagifem to once a week. I had terrible, disabling pain and soreness for 7 months until I got on top of the symptoms again. I now always give priority to applying my oestrogen and moisturizing products. Especially as it usually takes up to 3 months of using oestrogen prescriptions before the symptoms improve and settle.
I am now a member of an excellent Vaginal Atrophy Facebook group which gives lots of information, advice and support. It has been such a relief to find a group of people who understand how this painful condition can negatively affect quality of life. I found this group through Jane Lewis's brilliant book, My Menopausal Vagina and I have found her advice on how to cope with VA absolutely, positively life enhancing for me.
I had never heard of vaginal atrophy until I got it and though it's pretty common, I know from the Facebook group that many other women are unaware of it too.

I am 81 and been on the Estradot HRT patch continuously (low dose) since I had a full hysterectomy in my early 40’s. On the occasions in the past when I’ve seen my doctor she has suggested one or two times about the risks etc.., and coming off it but I am adamant about continuing. I have remained healthy and active for many years now and my doctor now agrees that HRT must take some of the credit for this! I should mention I live in Canada and the cost of these patches are not covered under our provincial health system. I am not a smoker or a drinker, so I can justify paying full price for this medication (approximately £55 for 2 months supply). Looking around at other people of my age, I know there is no doubt that HRT improves the quality of my life.

Just seen this thread! I am going through the very same problem - overactive bladder, cystitis-y feeling, atrophy etc etc. Finally, last week I paid through the nose and went to a private menopause clinic which has just started up in the area. Apparently I was the first through the door. I’m 68, been on ovestin for 8 years but it’s no longer working. No help from GPs.
Anyway, the doctor I saw at the clinic gave me almost an hour of her time. She said it’s called Genito-urinary syndrome; there are oestrogen receptors in the bladder also, so she’s given me vagifem (to be inserted as high up as poss to get near to the bladder), along with ovestin cream for vulval area.
My meds have just been delivered by DPD ! Hooray! I’m feeling positive . Watch this space .

I am 79 and have been on HRT since I was 45 years old. At one stage the kept asking me if I would come off it and reading the paper available which supposedly proved to me that it was not good to stay on it for more than 10 years, but I declined and stuck with it. I am glad I did, however I am not for the first time experiencing burning and associated issues, have been on antibiotics twice, then a steroid cream, but cannot shift it. May have a further chat with my GP to see if Ovestin may help me. Thank you for this thread.

I've been on oestrogen only HRT since my forties, (now over 70) in tablet form. It's been suggested a few times that I stop but I don't want to. I did once for a short time and got so many bad symptoms that I went back on it. Modern thinking seems to be that the upside counter balances the risks ( in my case anyway)

I am glad it works for you. I was told to use it every night for a week, then go to twice a week - but just leaving it off for one day at the end of that week has caused the urinary problems to start to come back. I am tempted to do every other day for another week before going on to twice a week - and see how that works.

A bit of me feels quite cross that it was all left so long. It has been a problem for years (and I have been keeping Always in business!) but every time I saw someone about it they told me to do pelvic floor exercises which made not a whit of difference. If someone had diagnosed it properly I could have been spared many miserable years ......

Exactly like you Luckygirl Hysterectomy, HRT patches and then vaginal atrophy and Utis. I have been on Ovestin for two years now and not one problem. Hallelujah !

I think, from looking online, that the systemic absorption of oestrogen from ovestin and very low dose Evorel patch is little different.

Yes I think that is the point - the treatment is localised so the systemic (whole body) effects are minimal. The progress of Osteoporosis is unlikely to benefit from such localised oestrogen therapy- so perhaps the OP and I should be speaking to my GP to discuss oral HRT?
It’s interesting that your GP salt shake is able to put it on a re prescription I keep asking for them to do that!

I could not have HRT because of breast cancer but I am now taking Ovestin for atrophy and related problems. The dosage is really low in comparison to HRT. It goes straight to where it is needed instead of circulating round the body. I am over 75 and can honestly say it has really helped. After consultation with my gynaecologist my doctor is happy to put it on repeat prescription.

I'm 84 and have had similar experience having been 'taken off' HRT in my late 50s after a scan showed my bones were in 'great shape' for my age.
Five years ago I fell backwards and broke a vertebra and am now on ovestin.
I feel its a case of bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted. It has helped with dryness, but I am left with persistent back-ache.

Same here I was taken off HRT whilst still in my early 50s, as I had been on it for over 5 years ( earlyish menopause) I think advice would be different now. I have osteopenia and probable osteoporosis ( recent broken bones from a minor trip) .I’ve been using estriol cream for some years but have had trouble getting it over the last 3 (covid shortages) years. One of the issues is not having it on a re prescription which adds to delays getting a replacement tube. It helps with issues. I have wondered if I should go back to the GP and ask if full HRT would be possible. I think the reason for taking HRT away 15 years ago was the ( slight) increase risk of some female cancers now the disadvantages of NOT treating with HRT and theadvantages of HRT to women’s health in later years are better known.

Dose not does!!