Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Starproms on May 15, 2017, 12:44:07 PM
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I went to the doctor today to order some more Vagifem. I asked if he could up the dose because although the Vagifem helps, I still feel dry. He told me the higher dose is no longer available. I have been on 10 mgs. for a short while. We discussed the matter and I asked if I could try the Vagifem for three times a week instead of twice and he agreed I could try that for six months.
What are your experiences? Which frequency works best for you?Can you recommend something I can buy from the chemist for lubrication of the outer areas?
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It's been discontinued for a long while. Do have a read of the various threads on vaginal atrophy on here - [My Bladder etc. .....] and a more recent thread which of course, meno-brain can't remember!
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Lots of doctors let patients use 5x10 a week as that is equal to the old dose.
I use it every day..can't manage otherwise :(
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An alternative is the Estring which is a silicone ring which sits in your vagina for 3 months at a time releasing 50mcg of oestrogen a week. It suits some of us very well.
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I use it every other day with estriol cream for the outer area. The combination of the 2 works well for me :)
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Thank you people. Can I get the cream you mention BabyJane, from the chemist or is it prescription only? ???
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Maybe give your local Pharmacy a ring?
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Yes estriol cream needs to be prescribed as well (not from chemist) - many of us use both - Vagifem and estriol. For rubbing onto outer areas, then the generic estriol is better (0.01%) as it can be used more liberally than Ovestin which is 10 x more concentrated at 0.1%.
Hurdity x
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Thank you Hurdity, yes, ask for the 0.01% estriol (used to be gynest). It is kinder and lasts longer than the 0.1% Ovestin which is the stronger estradiol :)
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Thank you Hurdity, yes, ask for the 0.01% estriol (used to be gynest). It is kinder and lasts longer than the 0.1% Ovestin which is the stronger estradiol :)
Just to clarify - Ovestin also contains estriol (not estradiol), the same as Estriol Cream. Estriol Cream is weaker and more suitable for outer areas, as Hurdity explained.
Ovestin PIL:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/28891
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I stand corrected, but the 0.01% is still a lot milder than the Ovestin at 0.1%
Also the Ovestin contains chlorhexidine which is a disinfectant and I think that could account for the stinging and discomfort on already sore vulval skin.
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Yes the two preparations have different ingredients as well as the active estriol - from what I recall the list is longer for Ovestin - I did look it up and post them a while back - but you just have to google the name of the product and SPC and the product info comes up on the EMC website.
Hurdity x
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just be aware that the milder estriol cream does contain peanut oil so if you have an allergy to peanuts do not use this product.
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I have been using the 0.01% Estriol cream. When it ran out I was given the 0.1% Ovestin cream. I didn't not get on with this at all. Each time I used it I woke up in the early hours with a headache and stomach cramps. Have got a replacement prescription for the 0.01% estriol cream, so hopefully things will go back to normal!