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[Bella247]

I’ve been suffering from vaginal dryness for a few years.
I’ve tried esriol (worked for a while then stopped), Vagirux (didn’t work at all) then stronger estriol (worked for a bit then seems to have stopped working with quite regular flare ups).
I’ve been googling to high heaven and I’m wondering if anyone’s had success adding intrarosa to their regime?
I’ve tried reloading estriol. My main symptoms seem to be around the vulva. I’ve seen a gynaecologist who’s ruled out lichen schlerosis etc and said I can use estriol on the vulva every other day but it’s not enough to just not feel my vag (if that makes sense).

[CLKD]

It all makes sense.  If you put the product name into the search box I am sure that threads will pop up.

One can use VA treatment every night if necessary.  When I get a flare up I add an extra dose of 'estrio/ovestin' mid-afternoon as well as swallowing Nurofen, then I do a re-load of 5-7 nights depending on symptoms.  I also find KY Jelly useful or a smear of estriol around the labia area.  It really can be Trial and Error!

How long did U use the estriol for and how often ? 

[Bella247]

I’ve been using the stronger version of estrogen for around a year. It worked really well at first but then the effect seemed to diminish.

I asked the gynaecologist if I could use it more frequently than twice a week and she seemed to reluctantly say that I could use it on the vulva every other day but even that doesn’t seem enough.
 

[Ayesha]

I don't know about Intrarosa but have you tried using two treatments together like a pessary and an oestrogen cream. My gynaecologist GP prescribed every day Vagifem and Estriol cream because its sometimes what's needed to keep symptoms under control. Its an unforgiving condition as you are finding out but treatment has to be consistent otherwise you will never get on top of it.
Your gynaecologist differs in her advice to mine, must be a personal thing going on with us left to decide on our own dosage. 

[Bella247]

I did try Vagirux with estriol cream. The Vagirux didn’t work at all.

It’s so annoying. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to do simple things like wear jeans or have a bath.

[sfreesto]

Hello Bella 247,

I use Intrarosa and have been on it for 11 months. For me, on the whole it’s been great. My main VA complaints are UTIs/mimic of UTI and I did have very sore vulva with fissures. It took about six weeks to work, but then almost overnight it was great. I had one flare up about a month ago in the form of a UTI, but after about two weeks was back to normal. I can have baths, wear skinny jeans, generally be free.

Prior to Intrarosa I had been on Imvaggis, and was OK for 7 months before having a flare up that lasted 3 months. It was this that triggered my change to Intrarosa.

I should also say I am on systemic HRT too, 100 Estradot, Mirena and testosterone.

[CLKD]

Get a prescription for estriol externally and vagifem internally as well as using KY Jelly : others find that Sylc or Yes products can ease symptoms.  If you have any hassle from your GP ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic.

[Dramy3]

I'm in the same boat--vulval symptoms that I just can't seem to get on top of. I've used daily ovestin for years and twice weekly vagifem.

Nothing topical worked well enough for me until I started a systemic oestrogen (50mcg estradot). That improved things about 50%. But then symptoms came back (along with some other peri pleasures) so I added two small dots of testosterone (androfemme). My symptoms went away almost completely after 2 months on the testosterone. Unfortunately, that dose made me crazy (extreme panic attacks, depression, etc) so dropped it down to 1 dot about 6 weeks ago.

The vulval symptoms started to come back about 2 weeks after the testosterone drop. As it stands, I'm still 60% better than I was using the ovestin/vagifem/estradot/testosterone.

Then I started researching the makeup of vulval/vaginal tissue. There are a lot of androgen and estrogen receptors in the vulva (labia majora and minora), but less in the vagina. This could be why topical estrogen works well for vaginal and urinary issues, but often falls short on the vulva side. Most studies put vaginal symptoms (specifically painful sex) as the main endpoint with just a nod to vulval irritation. No surprise here given men design most of these trials.

So, given the androgen receptors in the vulva, that could explain why the higher testosterone dose worked for me. As I can't stay on that dose, I've just started a trial of Intrarosa as it is DHEA so metabolises to testosterone and estrogen. I don't use it vaginally, but melt it and apply to the labia and vaginal opening before bed. Only been trying this for 3 days so who knows if it will work. The oily nature of it is very soothing though, so I'm happy to persist. I'm still using Ovestin a bit in the morning.

Long story I know! But I've been fighting this battle for 5 years so will try anything!

Good luck and let us know how Intrarosa works for you.

[kathie22]

Hi Bella
I couldn’t use any of the usual stuff that is prescribed so did a bit of research and found across Intrarosa Took a bit of persuasion to get it from my GP but after a year of failed treatments they basically gave me anything I asked for rather than see me 😉 I’ve found it really effective so far bit of a pain to have to use every night but better than being constantly in discomfort I had prolapse surgery in July so have just resumed using it Strangely after my surgery my atrophy disappeared but not taking any chances and will need to support my pelvic floor with some form of meds for ever now DHEA is not that well known so a lot of gp’s don’t like to prescribe it

[CLKD]

kathie22 - have you self referred to a physiotherapist interested in womens health?  She can show you proper exercises and how to lift correctly to protect the pelvic floor.

[kathie22]

Hi CLKD
Saw one before surgery and have done Kegals for a couple of years now Will be booking again soon The trust I’m under DONT seem interested in referrals for this post surgery and my GP said go private as the wait time is horrendous on the NHS so will contact Benenden to get it covered as soon as I feel up to it Been a difficult recovery Very exhausting

[CLKD]

..... and breath. Knowledge is power ;-). 

[Platespinning]

I've just been prescribed interosa as both Vagifem and Estring were effective initially at treating my dryness (mainly vulva) but then benefits seemed to wear off and all the creams contain sodium hydroxide which causes an awful burning reaction.

Last month I was also prescribed systematic HRT (2x pumps of estrogel and 200mg utrogestan) as had also started with UTI symptoms. Initially this seemed to help at least with the latter but have started taking utrogestan and dryness and UTI have returned. Hence the interosa...

However I have a couple of questions - in the patient leaflet it says you can't use with latex condoms and in the UK the only other option seems to be polyisoprene ones but they say don't use with oil based lubricants and interosa is mixed with coconut oil and palm oil. Does anyone know if they can be safely used as not on any other contraception?

And (if they are) can you continue to use an Estring or systematic HRT while the interosa kicks in? The thought of essentially going cold turkey for a few weeks is not a pleasant one!

Sorry to jump on the back of your post @bella247 but I'm struggling to find any info and hopefully the answers will help you too!