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[perimeno]

Hi

i wonder if anyone can help. 

I have been struggling with ways of getting oestrogen into my body. I have tried gel, a patch and the spray but i cant seem to tolerate anything more than the lowest dose (25 patch, 1 spray or pump). I have tried to gradually increase but cannot cope with headaches or chest tightness.  Its all strange as last year i was on a 50mcg patch, then had to come off the hrt and restart it after 2 weeks (for various reasons).  I am 50, had a hysterectomy (ovaries kept) a few years ago.  Is it that you need less hormones as you get older?
My main symptoms are V dryness/soreness, i have been on 1mg of estriol (ovestin) daily, but that seems to have stopped working as well.  i previously tried vagifem but it didn't dissolve well.  Has anyone used Estring?

Im really struggling, does anyone have any suggestions?

[CLKD]

Does your body require replacement?

VA symptoms can be eased - R U inserting the correct amount of 'ovestin/estriol' every night :   up to the red line?  If you continue to be dry mayB a couple of afternoons each week add a dose: that's what I do when symptoms begin to niggle as well as taking 2 Nurofen.

As well as VA treatment some require a moisturiser, I smear extra 'ovestin' round the outer labia etc..  MayB 'vagifem' internally as estriol on the outer areas?  When U say it 'didn't dissolve well', how long did U use it for?  It may take a while for the vaginal walls to soften with regular treatment.

If U feel that you need HRT could you trial an 'extra' pump a few times a week, i.e. every 3rd night?  Treatment can be as individual as trial and error for each of us.

[perimeno]

Thanks CLKD.  The ovestin seems to have changed its name to Estriol 1mg, so i wonder if its the same ingredients as the Ovestin worked fine previously.  Yes, im using the full amount and smearing on the outside occasionally.
I do wonder if since ive reduced my systemic Oestrogen, its worsened. Can the systemic oestrogen help with vaginal dryness?

[CLKD]

Systemic HRT may help with over all lubrication - when oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out including the vagina.  I've been swapped to 'estriol' - it's the same product, rebranded.  I would use morning and night for 3 then back to evening to give the vagina a boost.

[perimeno]

Thanks again CLKD.

I always thought we couldn’t use more than once a day.  I’ve upped it slightly and already I can feel a difference.


You’re definitely right about the body feeling dry, inside and out. I feel that this is exactly what’s happening to me- dry nails, skins etc..

I have changed systemic oestrogen to a pump of Lenzetto, so wil see how that goes.

[CLKD]

Also use a good body/hand lotion - I find nivea or Vaseline in the yellow bottle really helpful, used when necessary or when I remember 

[bombsh3ll]

Is there a reason you can't take oral estrogen?

Regarding the Idea that less estrogen is needed when you get older, a) there is no evidence to support this, it is an opinion that is widely expressed and has even made its way into clinical guidelines, however there have been zero clinical studies investigating this, and b) you are 50 not 85, so in menopause terms you are a spring chicken.

As well as your quality of life, those bones have to carry you around for hopefully another few decades, so do factor in longer term benefits as well.

You are in a very fortunate position not to need a progestogen.

In your position I would definitely consider oral unless there is a medical reason why not.

I am on oral estrogen in the combined pill Zoely, and I will be continuing on oral hormone therapy when I no longer need menstrual suppression.

[SundayGirl]

Perimeno -- please be wary about using estriol cream more than once per day. I tried this a while back and ended up with terrible irritation, soreness, burning and a very red and inflamed vulva which my GP and I decided was due to the excess discharge and a build up of the creams on my skin. I needed a steroid to calm things down again.
As the saying goes, it's a marathon not a sprint.

Systemic HRT did absolutely nothing for the dryness for me. I just ended up with huge sore boobs and a massive amount of anxiety. I no longer use it and am the best I've been for years.

I know people talk about the benefits of HRT for preventative issues in later life but I personally don't think you should use HRT if it's purely for the "what if". Many women don't use HRT and are perfectly fine. As shown by the various experiences on this forum, no two women are alike.

[CLKD]

Which estriol were U using Sunday Girl?  Extra a few times a week helps my symptoms when they niggle, it's trial and error which can be so tiring.

Apart from VA treatment I haven't required any form of HRT. 

[SundayGirl]

It was Ovestin CLKD. It wasn't the type I was using, it was the amount 

An extra dose occasionally probably won't do much harm but by using loads of the stuff you know what they say........ What goes up must come down 

[CLKD]

It's often the fillers/packaging that causes problems, not the active ingredients.