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[MrsMitch]

I don't mean skin everywhere is exactly the same, I mean that in the same way that estrogen benefits vaginal skin (moistens it, plumps it)

Yeah like I need plumping anywhere else 😆😆
But very interesting Joziel, thank you.

[Ayesha]

But then on reflection I have decided to stop the Estroil and see how I get on, perhaps I only needed it at first but not now and the only way to find out is to experiment. If I find I need to use it again, alongside Vagifem, I will buy it as I tube will last me a long time.

"I for one if you don’t mind would be interested in how your experiment without using Estriol on the vulva goes.  I had a fit of pique at one time & stopped using it. The itching & burning was worse than when I started out !  So back on it."

Just to confirm four days of experimenting finishes today as the VA symptoms are coming back.
There is now no doubt that I need the Vagifem with the Estriol cream and a moisturiser to be used daily and very happy that the GP understands this now.
Looking forward to being 100% better again but I had to prove to myself that I need the constant VA treatment.

[Wrensong]

Ayesha, that's great that you managed to get both authorised.
Wx

[CLKD]

Do let us know how you get on.

[Minusminnie]

But then on reflection I have decided to stop the Estroil and see how I get on, perhaps I only needed it at first but not now and the only way to find out is to experiment. If I find I need to use it again, alongside Vagifem, I will buy it as I tube will last me a long time.

"I for one if you don’t mind would be interested in how your experiment without using Estriol on the vulva goes.  I had a fit of pique at one time & stopped using it. The itching & burning was worse than when I started out !  So back on it."

Just to confirm four days of experimenting finishes today as the VA symptoms are coming back.
There is now no doubt that I need the Vagifem with the Estriol cream and a moisturiser to be used daily and very happy that the GP understands this now.
Looking forward to being 100% better again but I had to prove to myself that I need the constant VA treatment.

Missed your post yesterday. Thanks Ayesha I found out too that I can’t manage without using estriol ( ovestin) on the vulva. I found it almost as if once using it you can’t get off it as all the burning & itching was worse than when I started out.

So glad that you have now been listened to and your prescription has now been sorted at your new surgery.

[Dierdre]

Glad you're sorted Ayesha, I can't manage without both. I had Vagifem only for about 3 years and it never really sorted outside and I suffered alot of shrinkage because of this. It was a real life changer when I was given Ovestin for external use by a vulva specialist who was also investigating lichens sclerosus.
I always feel very anxious when I have my yearly review as it's always someone different and they usually query why I'm using both (I was told one year by the surgery pharmacist doing the review to reduce all of it as causes blood clots)! Someone with health anxiety really doesn't need this unnecessary scare mongering about a drug I have no choice in taking for the rest of my life.  I tell them now to read the consultants letters and they haven't gone against them yet. The reviewers have not even been doctors just the surgeries resident pharmacist or a locum that has no idea who I am or my history.
I always feel I have to defend what the experts have prescibed to these people who aren't experts!

[CLKD]

It shouldn't be this hard  and pharmacists should be up2date with treatments available across the different specialists and requirements?

[Jules]

Glad you're sorted Ayesha, I can't manage without both. I had Vagifem only for about 3 years and it never really sorted outside and I suffered alot of shrinkage because of this. It was a real life changer when I was given Ovestin for external use by a vulva specialist who was also investigating lichens sclerosus.
I always feel very anxious when I have my yearly review as it's always someone different and they usually query why I'm using both (I was told one year by the surgery pharmacist doing the review to reduce all of it as causes blood clots)! Someone with health anxiety really doesn't need this unnecessary scare mongering about a drug I have no choice in taking for the rest of my life.  I tell them now to read the consultants letters and they haven't gone against them yet. The reviewers have not even been doctors just the surgeries resident pharmacist or a locum that has no idea who I am or my history.
I always feel I have to defend what the experts have prescibed to these people who aren't experts!

I was the same, the vagifem didn't stop vulval atrophy. Ovestin has certainly helped to restore, not completely but better than I was and I would have only deteriorated further. It's taken quite a while, you have to persist and be patient

[Dierdre]

I agree Jules. Although the extra estriol externally hasn't replaced the lost shrinkage of labia it has not got any worse since using it and keeps everything plumped up and healthy so not so noticeable now.
Why don't doctors know these things, HRT is a massive industry now.
CLKD, I suppose as long as menopause and estrogen deficiency are still not classed as an illness doctors priority will always be people who are ill and at risk of dying and rightly so.
Separate menopause clinics are definately the way to go.
The chemists in my area didn't even know Ovestin is now Estriol 1mg/g. It took me going to 5 chemists before i found one that had Estriol.

[Jules]

I agree Jules. Although the extra estriol externally hasn't replaced the lost shrinkage of labia it has not got any worse since using it and keeps everything plumped up and healthy so not so noticeable now.
Why don't doctors know these things, HRT is a massive industry now.
CLKD, I suppose as long as menopause and estrogen deficiency are still not classed as an illness doctors priority will always be people who are ill and at risk of dying and rightly so.
Separate menopause clinics are definately the way to go.
The chemists in my area didn't even know Ovestin is now Estriol 1mg/g. It took me going to 5 chemists before i found one that had Estriol.

Yes that's right though ive read differentexperiencesabout that. I wish someone had told me sooner, then I would have recognised what was happening and also not been led to believe it was normal aging, as it was preventable. It was probably happening so slowly at first I didn't notice but then it worsened at pace. By then, physical changes have taken place.

[Ayesha]

Are we in the minority here, the women who reach out to forums looking for answers. I am still mindful of my new GP who said it is rare to need both treatments, Estriol & Vagifem, if that's in his experience I have to respect that, with my previous GP being a gynae, it made life so easy with no issues to prescribing both to be used daily.  Will say though, once I explained fully in a calm manner exactly how I use the Estriol there was no problem with me getting the prescription, perhaps a different story if I was on any other form of HRT, it might have been more difficult to obtain.
This is a condition that we ourselves have to be in control of because there is so little known about it, and it doesn't help that the leaflet attached is out of date which doesn't help our cause at all!

My advice from now on once you get your VA regime under way, don't mess around with it. Yesterday I had to apply three doses of Estriol to get my symptoms  back under control which is much better today thankfully. 

[Jules]

I wouldn't have known without your explanation Ayesha.  I'd have wasted away. I have to be cautious with the frequency of vagifem but I've used ovestin/estriol nightly for 9 months and it's helped. I don't have irritation or discomfort. I wish I'd known sooner  though.

[CLKD]

His experience ........ he's a bloke, he won't have 'experience'  and should listen to his patients.  Then read up to become more informed.  I don't mind working with medics who listen and take on board that we are all different. 

[Dierdre]

Are we in the minority here, the women who reach out to forums looking for answers. I am still mindful of my new GP who said it is rare to need both treatments, Estriol & Vagifem, if that's in his experience I have to respect that, with my previous GP being a gynae, it made life so easy with no issues to prescribing both to be used daily.  Will say though, once I explained fully in a calm manner exactly how I use the Estriol there was no problem with me getting the prescription, perhaps a different story if I was on any other form of HRT, it might have been more difficult to obtain.
This is a condition that we ourselves have to be in control of because there is so little known about it, and it doesn't help that the leaflet attached is out of date which doesn't help our cause at all!

My advice from now on once you get your VA regime under way, don't mess around with it. Yesterday I had to apply three doses of Estriol to get my symptoms  back under control which is much better today thankfully.

Maybe we are rare, I don't know anyone at all personally, other than this forum, that suffers with atrophy.

[Ayesha]

His experience ........ he's a bloke, he won't have 'experience'  and should listen to his patients.  Then read up to become more informed.  I don't mind working with medics who listen and take on board that we are all different.

When I wrote 'in his experience' I was referring to his experience with caring for his female patients. He may be a 'bloke' but he is a General Practitioner with emphasis on the word 'General' he is not a specialist in gynaecology.
I respect him very much for listening and believing that I needed the Estriol to be used alongside Vagifem, in his experience I am rare to need it.