Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: SEU666 on July 20, 2018, 05:01:35 PM
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Hi everyone,
I posted recently about Replens and Vaginal dryness.
The GP has just given me Estriol Cream with an applicator. Every night for two weeks then twice a week.
He hadn't heard if YES VM, only Replens which he advised me to try six weeks ago!
How do you ladies use the YES VM along with the Estriol cream?
I've a tube which I've used on the outside, which has helped a little, and pre filled applicators for inside, which have been so much better than the Replens over the past two weeks or so.
Typically only half advice from GP, and he didn't mention the VM, whether to carry on using or not!
Was thinking probably not over next two weeks with Nightly applications of The Estriol cream but after then as needed!
Any advice will be much appreciated.
Ps...thanks Dancinggirl for the NICE guidelines as I did mention those, but forgot to actually ask for Vagifem!
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Is that the same as 'ovestin'? The idea is to use every night etc., some ladies find that they need it every night, a few times a week or 3/6 nights. Some ladies use YES or Sylk in the mornings to keep outer labia moist, I find KY Jelly adequate.
Replens won't replace oestrogen, it's purely a moisturiser. I found it useless many years ago ::). A drop in oestrogen level causes the body to dry which includes the vaginal area as well as causing tissues to thin which may cause itching. I use the 'ovestin' at night after my bath.
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If you want to use the YES do so in the morning, I wouldn't use it at night with the estriol cream because it might not be absorbed as well.
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The box says Estriol Cream...Estriol 0.01% w/w so not sure if same as ovestin!
I didn't think the YES VM would be wise to use at same time...let the estrogen cream do its job was what I thought. Seemed to be logical idea.
But was unsure whether to only use the VM between applications in a couple of weeks, after the daily use he said to do, and the tube as and when needed on the outer lips.
GP was very adamant not to use longer than two weeks every night. Will need to go back to get more, but guesscan be changes if needed more often.
This is all a bit shocking as never thought we got vaginal soreness at this stage in Peri...thought it happened much lasted post menopause. How wrong I was!
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It is completely safe to use topical estrogen everyday and long term if it is needed, my meno specialist wrote that in bold letters to my GP, she said it is equivalent to taking two oral HRT tablets a year.
I got severe VA in the peri stage, I struggled to get treatment as a couple of doctors at my surgery said it wasn't possible until your periods had stopped for a couple of years....utter nonsense!
Use it every night for two weeks and then go on a maintenance dose that suits you, do not stop using it as the soreness will come back.
You can then use your VM on your in between days if needed, you may find you don't need anything, I don't, once you are on a treatment plan that works.
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Thank you Tinkerbell.
The GP said he a few cases where vaginal estrogen was needed as well as low dose HRT!
Made me wonder how many ladies don't go and see GP, especially if they're male, and don't get the help that is needed.
From some of the posts I've read, it seems that many GPs, even women, Don't know about the treatments for Perimenopause and menopause etc
Thank goodness for this site, which a dear friend only the other day, suggested I take a look at. She had a very bad time, but has been very open in talking to me.
xx
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I am on quite a high dose of systemic HRT plus Vagifem, I also have Ovestin to use on the outer bits...I need all that to control my VA and apart from some palpitations I have had no other meno symptoms.
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How do you ladies manage to clean applicator?
Pharmacist said to use liquid hand soap diluted and rinse very well!
Cream doesn't seem easy to wash off...off camping this Saturday 28th (sadly by car as I can't ride the distance comfortably at the moment) and still need to use every night until the Thursday, and that'll be my first 14 days use then GP said twice a week.
Don't want to get more irritated by wrong washing of applicator!
Thanks
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Hi Jeanie,
It's what GP gave me on Friday to try. I forgot to mention Vagifem tablets..I ended up in tears, but GP was good. Had a laugh when I said I'd stopped antihistamine as I'd rather have a dried up nose than be dried up elsewhere, as antihistamines dry up whole body so leaflet was saying!
I Felt a bit better over weekend, but I wasn't out and about much, but this morning I'm drenched in sweat and uncomfortable again. Ride was slightly better than last week but have a feeling won't be good at 5pm when I go home, as I'd have been sweating all day.
Hate it at the moment!
Thank goodness weather reports for Glastonbury and Calstock/Tavistock area are a chilly 20-24*C next week.
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The soreness outside is from sweating so much...talk about gym crotch, ha ha, I've sweated less from working out for an hour none stop!
On second underwear change already to day. Used some Yes VM on outside when I changed.
I'll return to GP after holiday and towards end of tube and I might ask for Vagifem tablets. The cream doesn't seem to irritate, which is good.
Are the Vagifem tablets same dose at the 0.01 Estriol cream?
I think ovestin and Gynest, are names for same stuff, but I could be wrong and doses in them could be different.
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I just washed the applicator with soap and rinsed well, I did swop to Vagifem a few months letter and prefer the disposable applicator...not good environment wise I suppose as I use one every day!
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Good afternoon SEU666
The cream you been have prescribe is weaker than Ovestin and Vagifem if you look under the green banner at the top of the page and go into HRT preparations then into Vaginal treatments it gives you various strengths for each available option.
Lanzalover x
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Thank you Lanzalover, I'll have a read
xx Sara
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I've found that Vagisil cream bought over the counter works brilliantly for sore nunny. It has a local anaesthetic in it.
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sore nunny.
hilarious word, sorry!
;D ;D
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Jeaniewigs..Vagifem, does it give you sore boobies?? Wow, learning so much about things on here.
I've been finding my boobies have gone very soft now, no soreness before last spotting/period (on Mirena, 14 months, so not sure what happening re periods, but very light now). Actually think no sore boob discomfort for past 4 months now. Always had aching tender boob pre period.
The estriol cream seems to be making things feel a bit better in the 'old lady desert' as one friend puts it...lol.
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The 'tablet' I take it is to use in the vagina?
One can use localised HRT for VA for life, every night if necessary. It really is Trial and Error for us: which GPs don't try to understand. Who knows our body the bestest? Quality of Life is important.
I bought a small bottle brush from a chemist, put the applicator into hot water and brushed inside, left to dry. Don't stop using prior to your holiday! At least every other night until you get home.
Panty liners ? Why? if one leaks one should see the appropriate Nurse at your Surgery or Hospital. Panty liners can make the vagina dry anyway without the internal problems with atrophy. Once the internal skin becomes thin, localised treatment is necessary. It was like razor blades up there :o.
It has been known that some ladies are so dry inside that the area fuses together which requires surgical intervention ....... wonder how many GPs are aware of this?
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Yep. Covers a multitude of sins that does ::). Another reason for me not to have had babies ;-). At the time, aged 8, this World wasn't good enough for mine and it hasn't altered much :-\ ..... I digress.