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[Franscampi]

Hi, I’m new here and hoping someone can advise? I am 54 yrs old and about 3 yrs ago I was prescribed Ovestin cream for vaginal dryness and pain during sex, it worked like a dream and after a while I stopped using it and all was well. This year my symptoms returned and I went back to my GP, she told me they don’t prescribe Ovestin anymore and prescribed Estriol cream instead, at first it was great and I felt like my old self again but then I started having problems! I feel sore and irritated and almost like I have a UTI although I don’t think I have? Tried to make another appointment with my GP but she is now on maternity leave. Feeling really fed up and just wishing it would all go away! Are there any alternatives that anyone has tried and found helpful? Anything that doesn’t require a prescription? I’ve ordered some Optibac Probiotic capsules as I’ve heard they are quite good? Has anyone had a similar experience using Estriol?
Would be so grateful for any advice!!
Fran

[Gracie]

Hi Franscampi

You have confused me, Estriol is the main active ingredient in Ovestin and as far as I am aware its still available on prescription.
I was prescribed it last week but unfortunately I began to suffer soreness when using it, probably due to the other ingredients that make up the cream, full of long suspicious chemical names.

Has Vagifem ever been mentioned to you?  Its what a lot of doctors prescribe for Virginal Atrophy which is what you might have and a lot of women use it alongside Ovestin cream to use locally.

Hopefully others will be along to shred more light on your interesting question.

[Franscampi]

Hi Gracie, thanks for your reply, I know I was confused too but didn’t think to question it at the time, I just assumed it was no longer available?!
I have heard of Vagifem but have not been offered it by the GP, maybe I should look into that instead.
The whole thing is such a pain!!!!

[Flossieteacake]

Hi Gracie, thanks for your reply, I know I was confused too but didn’t think to question it at the time, I just assumed it was no longer available?!
I have heard of Vagifem but have not been offered it by the GP, maybe I should look into that instead.
The whole thing is such a pain!!!!

I bought vagifem online as I could not get a GP appointment. I am surprised by what your GP says though as I am now using ovestin cream.

[Franscampi]

Thanks Flossieteacake , when I get back to my GP I’m going to ask about Ovestin as I never had any problems when I was on that. I did wonder if it was because I have had breast cancer that she prescribed something different?
I didn’t know you could buy Vagifem online, so thank you for that.

[Whatsupwiththis]

I would use both.  Vagifem internally and Estragyn (estrogen Canadian product) externally.  It seems many women actually need both.  It has been a game changer for me.  Some of the ladies mentioned if you find Ovestin or Estroil stingy, try mixing it with just a tiny bit of moisturizer.   I believe Joaniepat has mentioned this in the past.

Also, from what a brilliant NP told me, when you first apply estrogen cream to vulva, stinging and burning are common.  Apparently it is the tissues in the vulva area 'waking up' after being depleted of estrogen for so long.  It took me several months before the vulva felt 'normal' again.  Like to old Brillcream ads used to say, "a little dab will do ya".

[Haydo]

If you were given ovestin before and it worked for you then you need to contact your Surgery and ask for ovestin again.  It is certainly still being prescribed.  Or you might want to try vagifem.  I use vagifem internally and ovestin externally.  I take the Optibac probiotic for women and have found them really helpful.  I also take omega 7 which helps with vaginal dryness and other types of dryness such as eyes, ears.  Ultimately though you need oestrogen.

[Gracie]

I would use both.  Vagifem internally and Estragyn (estrogen Canadian product) externally.  It seems many women actually need both.  It has been a game changer for me.  Some of the ladies mentioned if you find Ovestin or Estroil stingy, try mixing it with just a tiny bit of moisturizer.   I believe Joaniepat has mentioned this in the past.

Also, from what a brilliant NP told me, when you first apply estrogen cream to vulva, stinging and burning are common.  Apparently it is the tissues in the vulva area 'waking up' after being depleted of estrogen for so long.  It took me several months before the vulva felt 'normal' again.  Like to old Brillcream ads used to say, "a little dab will do ya".

This is very interesting to read as I had a reaction to using Ovestin, after reading your post I might try again.

[Haydo]

I had the same experience when I first started using ovestin, burning and irritation, and I thought I was having a bad reaction to it.   I then read on the forum that it was the tissues waking up and it can take a while for things to settle down. 

[Postmeno3]

Yep. Same here. I wasn't tolerating anything at all, not even emollient! It takes time and the longer you've been "without", the bigger the job the product can have to work. Now, a few months on, I tolerate the Ovestin and can even have emollient baths. Persevere! You won't regret it. 😊

[Franscampi]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. What I don’t understand is when I first started using the Estriol cream it was great and I was over the moon! Then gradually the symptoms have returned and today it is just the worst it’s ever been!
I guess I just need to get back to the GP and discuss.

[Postmeno3]

My sense is this isn't a process which can be started and stopped as the condition is for life. Stopping will probably undo the good work to date and potentially set you back to square one. I hope your gp understands this. You can always refer to MM if you feel you need evidence. Good luck.

[Jane_w]

Hello Fran, I was interested to read about your experience of Estriol cream as I've recently had a pretty bad reaction to it too... or rather I suspect I've had a bad reaction to the fillers in the cream, not the oestrogen content. ..I'm now waiting to see a gynae (referred by my nice GP) as I'm a bit in limbo as this has been going on since August and my GP wants a specialist to rule in or out lichen sclerosus (i managed to get an examination with her & she wasn't sure as its not 'presenting typically' if that is what is wrong) or if the aggravation of my vulval skin is VA or dermatitis.. or all of it! I certainly didn't have any vulval burning, redness or discomfort externally at all before using Estriol cream, just what I thought was a nasty uti (-ve on lab test)... I think I may have made things a lot worse by panicking and using a whole raft of other 'moisturising' products that have added to the irritation (yes, a bit daft, I know)  I'm washing gently with water only and using dermovate on the sore area for now as directed by GP & hope the wait for a gynae appt won't be too long. How are you getting on? Did you see your GP again?

[CLKD]

Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads on the Forum.  Mkae notes.  I get 'ovestin' on prescription.  Treatment is usually for Life.  It may be that Estriol is cheaper than 'ovestin'?  MayB have a word with your local Pharmacist to see what's available in your area then report back to your GP?

It's usually the fillers and/or packing that causes irritation.

[Joaniepat]

Sorry to hear about your problems with estriol cream. It is always a good idea to do an open application patch test with any new product for the vulva, especially if you are sensitive or prone to dermatitis.

Apply the product twice a day to the inner forearm over an area of 1-2 sq cms, and cover with sleeve. Do this for 7 days and if no reaction you should be OK with it. I appreciate that dermal skin is not the same as the vulval mucosa, but this is what my dermatologist recommended.

Also recommended was Dermovate ointment applied at night for 2-3 weeks to the inflamed area, and a paraffin based emollient such as Epaderm, Hydromol or 50:50 ointment during the day.

JP x