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[hellen]

Hi all, im sure you know the answer to my question, i have read a few articles mentioning that vagifem is stronger than ortho gynest is this true..  i remember originally being imformed that taking vagifem was less than one normal contraceptive pill.. Can anyone clear this up. ?? thank you

[ellie66]

Yes Vagifem is stronger but systematically you absorb very little. I love the creams as I find them soothing so I am currently on Ovestin cream internally every other day and Gynest Cream externally as its a big tube easier for external use. Plus I have Oestrogel and Ultrageston. I now feel the best I have felt in 10 years 

[babyjane]

hello, I have used vagifem for 4 years now, first the 25mcg and now the 10 mcg but more often.  It works for me but I do still get sore outside where the vagifem does not reach so I have Gynest cream for this.  So I use both and I find that they work very well together for me 

[hellen]

HI, thank you for your replies i have been considering going over to the otho gynest cream as i thought it might be more soothing, i genrally have dry skin. and i did find that although the vagifem worked straight away for any soreness i to had to insert more often, how many are you having to use a week babyjane. i often ended up using three one week and four the next alternating.. 

[ellie66]

Just to point out the creams may sting for the first 10 days if you are low on oestrogen down below. Stick with it as they then become very soothing. 

[babyjane]

hellen I use them on alternate nights with my doctors blessing, which works out 30mcg one week and 40mcg the next the same as you.  If I miss one I know about it so it must be the right dose for my needs even though it is less than the 50mcg when I was on 25mcg twice a week. I still need some gynest cream externally about twice a week as well.

[Hurdity]

Hi hellen

The answer to your question as that one is not stronger than the other as such - at least in terms of their use as vaginal oestrogen - they contain different types of oestrogen.

Vagifem contains oestradiol, and orthogynest contains estriol. Estriol has a weaker affinity for alpha-oestrogen receptors than oestradiol, but estriol binds to beta-oestrogen receptors. Both types of receptor are in the vagina and bladder are which is why both types of oestrogen can be prescribed.

The doses are worked out to be equivalent - so in other words the standard dose of Orthgynest and Ovestin should have the same effect on vaginal tissues as the equivalent dose of Vagifem. I say should, because there will of course be variation between different women and some women will find one type works better than another.

I preferred using the Orthgynest pessaries - which as well as plumping up the tissues, provide a gentle lubricating effect. However these have been discontinued and I am still using up my old stocks. I also use Vagifem - when I go away, and also when I am using vaginal progesterone.

The disadvantage with the estriol creams is that they have to be applied with an applicator which has to be washed out each time. I do use the cream (gynest) on external areas but haven't used the applicator. Ovestin is more concentrated so I imagine doses are smaller and therefore less messy but I haven't tried this.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

I haven't used Vagifem, I stuck as closely to the pessary contents as possible when they were dis-continued, yep the applicator hygiene is a bind particularly when away from home ……..however: !

[scriv]

Like babyjane, I used to use 25mcg Vagifem before they were discontinued.

I now double up and use 2x10mcg  pessaries every 3 nights, topping up with the occasional 10mcg if needed. All with my doctor's blessing.

This works for me.

[CLKD]

   nice to have an understanding GP!

[scriv]

Oh believe me, it is. I just hope she never leaves the practice!

[hellen]

Hi all. it seems all gps offer different options thats acceptable on the vagifem.., but i must say it confusing when suddenly they swing to im cured .. especially as i dont feel cured, lol.. but all the same, its interesting to all i would think to see what can be acceptable doses of vagifem or ortho gynest pert week. . but saying that, it mostly vagifem doses that discussed. how often do people use ortho gynest cream, is that the same amount or more or less a week.. how long have some people stuck with ortho gynest and still happy with it, do they have many bad phases with that, or is it only vagifem that seems to play up from time to time..

[CLKD]

I use an applicator to put the cream inside, I 've had to use it on alternate nights this week due to symptoms nagging but have been OK with 2 x 7 for several weeks.  Which of course doesn't 'go' does it  really need to put a tick on the calendar to remind me 

[ellie66]

I was using Gynest cream every other night. However you use a lot of Gynest cream and it takes ages to dissolve so there is an "spontaneous issue" in certain ahem circumstances  A Locum Pharamcist made a dispensing error so I got Ovestin cream this month which dissolves instantly. I am now going to ask my lovely GP for Ovestin cream internally and Gynest cream externally.

I find it very interesting large number of use are using this creams at least every other day. I find symptoms start returning at 48 hours so depending on what I am wearing and doing (tight clothes rub the cream off) I am using either day or every other day.

This stops my "itchy bladder" feeling and keeps me feeling comfortable.

A friend told me that Vagifem can leave a residue on "men's appliances" as well as "electrical appliances" so I am reluctant to try that.  I love the creams anyway I find them soothing but I am sure they get rubbed off with clothing so just to warn you about that so avoid symptoms returning.   

   

[CLKD]

I apply once in bed after my evening bath.  Wonder what the effects of long-term use on men's applicances is likely to be