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[Ljp]

Hi, I have had no periods since last August so am wondering now if this is it!… been to Dr today as apart from anxiety, night sweats, and brain fog, my main issue, which is definitely worsening is urgency and frequency of urination, and occasional pelvic floor ache after sex, and soreness/burning if not enough lubrication is used.
I kind of had to suggest the cream to my Dr as she was suggesting, bladder training and vesicare, I use vaginal cones pelvic floor, and tried vesicare but not happy as it can cause dry eyes, which I have problems with already! She did say she wasn't sure the cream could help with bladder, frequency, urgency.
I understand from what I have read the estriol when applied topically, doesn't carry risks associated with oral HRT. My questions are, has anyone had success using estriol for bladder frequency issues?… also something I didn't mention to my Dr is I take St. John's wort to help with low mood, will it affect the estriol?
Just looking for reassurance that this cream might help, before I start using it later. Also those of you that use is, how long did it take to have an affect? And any side effects?
Thank you all 

[Cassie]

How old are you Lisa?

[Ljp]

I'm 50

[dahliagirl]

I use vagifem for dryness, infections etc and it also helps with bladder urgency, irritation around urethra, urge incontinence etc.

I have to use more than twice a week to control symptoms, and now also have femoston which helps my bladder feel calmer.

As I understand it St Johns Wort interferes with absorption of hormones from pills as it affects the way the liver interacts with them.

[Jenna]

Hi Lisa,

I use Estriol cream twice a week (having started with every day for the first 14 days) for vaginal atrophy. On the other days I use 'Yes' water based vaginal moisturiser as I suffer with severe soreness underneath and it really helps that on the days I can't use the Estriol. The company will send you a free sample if you email them. You should feel the benefits of the Estriol within a few days I would say, but of course we are all different. If your bladder frequency is related to atrophy, the the cream should help that. There is always Vagifem to try if the Estriol cream doesn't work for you.

On the patient information sheet, it does state that taking St John's Wort whilst you are using Estriol cream can stop the cream from working and could cause unusual bleeding from the womb, so basically I wouldn't continue with the St John's Wort myself. The possible side effects are also all listed in the patient information leaflet.

Hope this helps! Let us know how you get on!

Jenna x

[Ljp]

Thank you for the replies, I find I over think everything at the moment, and I'm getting anxious about using the cream, even though the frequency and urgency has become a real problem, though even that isn't every day, but on bad days I can literally have to pee up to three or four times in an hour, and so desperate I fear I won't make it to the ladies! Embarrassing especially if I'm out with a friend, or teaching one of my dance fitness classes!
I am concerned about stopping St. John's wort as I do think it has helped with my depression.

[Cassie]

So you just want to use the Estriol and not go the whole hog with the HRT...as 50 is quite young still, you could give yourself 5 yrs quite safely on a bio identical hrt like the gel or a patch with some added progesterone, it would help with all those other nasties and you could possibly drop the St Johns Wart.  I found that systemic hrt tended to help all areas that up until now I hve not needed extra vagifem etc, but i guess from 50 onwards...things can change. Good luck.

[Ljp]

Thanks Cassue, but at the moment I would prefer not to go onto HRT I am too much of a worrier as it is!

[dahliagirl]

I think the patient information leaflet that says St Johns Wort may cause unusual bleeding from the womb may be because they use the same information in topical oestrogen as full hrt pills and patches etc.  Vagifem does not mention St Johns Wort at all. 

Breakthrough bleeding is what happens when you are taking SJW with hormone preparations orally, (such as the contraceptive pill) and the oestrogen in the blood is being broken down faster in the liver,  but topical oestrogen should not be affecting the womb. 

I would ask a pharmacist for their opinion.

[Ljp]

Thanks Dahliagurl, that was my thoughts too, and I use serenity progesterone cream and asked them regarding St. John's wort, and was told it wouldn't affect it

[Ljp]

I called the pharmacist and she said there should be no problem as its a small dose of topically applied cream. Worst case scenario is the effects of St. John's wort would be diminished.

[honeybun]

I use SJW alongside HRT patches.

My GP does know and seems to be happy for me to do this. What she did say was it could reduce the efficiency of my patch a little.

I am not advising anyone else to do this and can only speak from my own experience. I just thought it might help to get another point of view.


Honeybun
X

[Morwenna]

Estriol cream made my undercarriage very sore and actually exacerbated the urinary frequency - I must be sensitive to something in the ingredients. It took six months for me to realise it was making things worse. For me it's Vagifem all the way - I'm on oral HRT too, not sure I could manage without both.