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[LindaW]

Hi,I'm new aged 64 and just been put onto Estriol low dose vaginal cream for terrible dryness/itching but also to help UTI symptoms. My breasts are tender,I feel I have some fluid retention & stomach feels a bit bloated/out of sorts? I suffer with acute anxiety so am really worried! Anyone else on this and had bad side effects please.

[Gracie]

Are you using Ovestin?
It is well known for it to give side effects. Are you able to use Vagifem?  Apparently it’s the fillers in the cream that causes the problems but if you mix it with a feminine moisturiser its supposed to help.
My routine is Vagifem pessary and use Ovestin locally but always mixed with moisturiser as I am prone to the stinging Ovestin can cause.

[CLKD]

I never had problems with Ovestin.  Give it at least 2 weeks for your body to settle, every night.  If you are very uncomfortable mayBe do a load every 3 night?  It's Trial and Error.

If the vagina is dry then it may well be sore initially, I don't put the applicator in too far until I know that my inner skin is more supple. 

   we have several threads, 'bladder issues' as well as about vaginal atrophy.  Browse round.  Make note.

[Amazing grace]

Hi Linda, are you on the loading dose of every night for two weeks? I use ovestin and I got those side effects once I got past the loading dose side effects wore off, I also got burning when using it on the outside  this also wore off as I got used to it, the fillers can irritate some ladies, vagifem has fillers also and caused horrible persistent burning for me,along with persistent stomach cramps, everyone is so different in how they react if you are early in the stages of using maybe give it time to settle, if you find the fillers are an issue in causing local irritation there's an estring that has no fillers that you could ask your gp for, if you are using the 0.01% cream which is weaker than ovestin but works the same way, the side effects will also wear off as you get used to it, hope you feel better soon,, take care x

[LindaW]

Thanks guys! Its actually Estriol 0.01% in an 80gm tube so quite a lot goes in every night! I have 4 more days of every night then 2 weeks of every other night then twice weekly. I have so many side effects! sore breasts,bloating,abdominal pain,nausea on/off,light headed on/off so do you think this will settle once I'm on the maintenance dose? x
 

[CLKD]

Use half?  It may B that this is too much in one go?  Also, try every 3rd night to see if symptoms ease, I may have said already 

[LindaW]

Thanks CLKD! much appreciate the advice

[Haydo]

I had the same reaction with Estriol 0.01%.  I switched to Vagifem and was fine.  If your symptoms don’t settle with half a dose maybe ask to try Vagifem.

[GillyMcN]

Thanks guys! Its actually Estriol 0.01% in an 80gm tube so quite a lot goes in every night! I have 4 more days of every night then 2 weeks of every other night then twice weekly. I have so many side effects! sore breasts,bloating,abdominal pain,nausea on/off,light headed on/off so do you think this will settle once I'm on the maintenance dose? x

Hi

I have been prescribed Estriol since being diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus earlier this year. I had constant UTI symptoms and I kept calling back my gp who palmed me off with antibiotics even although there were no infections in my urine tests. 3 different types of antibiotics later and a face to face appt led to my LS diagnosis. I was put on a steroid ointment and Hydromol to wash with.  My UTI symptoms did not go away however and I went back to my gp after I discovered my inner labia had completely gone!! Why I didn’t notice this I have no idea, but I have never had need to look ‘down there’ this is part of the disease unfortunately. I was referred to a gynae a few weeks later who explained the burning and constant feeling of needing to go were also part of the disease. Since the first night using Estriol my UTI symptoms disappeared so I am extremely grateful and relieved my symptoms have gone. The LS is not curable and my lady bits will never come back but hopefully I have caught it in time that it won’t develop further. I have seen some pictures on Google of LS and it’s not pretty  other symptoms include, intense itching, dryness, pain, burning and fusion of tissue and complete absorption of the inner labia and clitoris. Just a heads up for anyone experiencing these symptoms to get it checked out. Thanks for reading and letting me join, I am waiting to hear if my gp will prescribe me HRT to try it again. I tried it a few years ago and found no relief from menopausal symptoms, I am 57 now but still getting the brain fog, the anxiety etc. I got the patches but because I was sweating so badly they kept sliding off!!  I am overweight so that’s why my gp wants to consult with the menopause clinic…..apparently  >: I was overweight before when I was on it so why it’s different this time who knows

[ange63]

I used Vagifem - but after 2 days I found it affected me and I was absorbing it into system.   Had effect of feeling 'quiet' but felt spaced out so stopped it.   Will discuss with specialist at appt this week.

[Bindi]

Im in oz and on ovestian and i keep reading in post that u guys are saying its a big dose on load up ..mine is 1mg about the size of my little finger nail..which i feel at the moment is ok..how much do u guys in the uk use out of curiisity

[Joaniepat]

Yes, with Ovestin we use the same dose as you. This thread is about a different, weaker cream, so a larger dose is needed. (Ovestin contains 0.1% estriol, the generic Estriol Cream contains 0.01%, so Ovestin is ten times stronger.)
JP x

[Bindi]

Ok thankyou i was wondering what the difference was.

[ange63]

update Vagifem - now using it every other day and no problems with it - think it helps with a few symptoms so I am still absorbing .   Nothing like original problems I had....