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[Annie58]

Hi, I posted a couple of weeks ago when I was first prescribed estriol pessaries 0.5mg and also the cream for external use.  The first night was agony with the burning but this did improve after another couple of nights. However today the burning pain is back and I can't sleep. My doctor (gyne specialist) advised to use nightly for 3 to 4 weeks and then reduce to 2 x a week. At the moment I'm 2 and a half weeks in and feel like giving up. However I was in a lot of pain externally beforehand with blood blisters as well. I haven't been able to have normal sex for several months. 

I don't know what to do and feel like crying with it all, especially as I'm now so tired. Paracetamol has only marginally helped and I feel like I need to have a wee all the time. I don't think it is thrush, though I know it is a fairly common side effect.

I've an appointment with my normal GP on Friday about something else so will ask her, but she is not the specialist. I think I will give tomorrow nights dose a miss in the meantime.

I've seen a few threads about the burning pain and really want to know if this will ease off again?

Hoping for any reassuring advice.

[Dotty]

Hi it may be that the pessaries don’t suit you. You could use the Estriol cream internally or Blissel gel. They might work better.

[Ayesha]

It can be a lot of trial and error to get a regime that finally works but I would say if you are still having symptoms ask to be referred to a Vulval dermatologist or if you have a local Gum clinic, they are very good at diagnosing other conditions you might have apart from GSM(VA)

[joziel]

Are you only using it at night? You probably need it at least 3x a day, along with Yes VM (which you can buy non-prescription) and Vagifem internal pessaries as well. You can't really use too much local estrogen, so if your GP is being stingy with it, you need to find another doctor.

You might also want to start systemic HRT if you're not already on it. This can help VA as well.

[Annie58]

Thank you for your advice.
I have been using the estriol pessary each night for 2 and a half weeks and I was told to use the cream externally daily as well for 3-4 weeks then reduce the dose. I am in two minds whether to temporarily halt the pessary until I see my GP in the morning. The burning is still there today though not as intense as when I inserted the pessary last night. My GP had originally referred me to the Women's hub specialist so hopefully she might contact her for me.
I had breast cancer 5 years ago (DCIS) so my GP wanted this done via the specialist.
I will see what happens tomorrow.

[joziel]

It's very common for it to burn and sting when you first start to use local estrogen. Your skin there is raw and has thousands of tiny cuts, like papercuts, all over it. Applying skin is going to sting and hurt at first, until the skin heals. Then when the skin barrier is repaired, you will start to feel better. Hope that helps. If I were you, I'd persevere with as much local estrogen and other lubes as I could possibly apply. Olive and Bee make a good one, which is based on bees wax and 100% natural and organic. It 'melts' and protects the area...

In between applying the prescription stuff twice a day, also apply the non-prescription Olive and Bee and Yes VM.