Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Bobidy on December 20, 2019, 01:08:46 AM

Title: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 20, 2019, 01:08:46 AM
Hi

Just after some advice re best options for nethers.

If there is soreness and some burning on the outside bits will Vagifem work for that too?

Do I need additional oestrogen cream for the outside instead?Yes doesn't seem to be stopping it.

Which is best out of Ovestin and Estroil? What is the difference?

Does husband need to wear a condom with the cream? (I know you guys said not with
Vagifem).

Any advice gratefully received re application etc

Thanks x



Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Sammiejane on December 20, 2019, 01:28:59 AM
hi bobidy

i use ovestin internally and i don't have sex that same night but have done the following night without condom , we have a joke as i say can't tonight babe it's cream night ! x

i do use this on outer to but have found at times it does burn a little but wears off after couple hours
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Joaniepat on December 20, 2019, 07:44:00 AM
Bobidy, it might be a good idea to get some cream for the outside as Vagifem doesn't always fix those parts. Both creams contain estriol, but Ovestin is stronger at 0.1%. Estriol Cream is 0.01% so you would need to use more. They have different fillers.

Just smear a pea sized blob of Ovestin around the area that is sore, or a larger blob if using Estriol Cream. You can mix in a bit of vaginal moisturiser if the cream stings at first, until you get used to it.

I found Ovestin stung  but Estriol Cream does not, but I think most get on fine with Ovestin.

JP x
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 20, 2019, 08:38:32 AM
Thanks ladies. I've got an appointment with a male gp (who is great) but I wanted to be sure what to ask for.

I'm also going to sort out a prescription certificate now as it's all starting to cost a small fortune! X
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Tinkerbell on December 20, 2019, 12:01:12 PM
Don't worry he wont grow boobies, my OH has't yet although he was worried ;D

I use Ovestin as well as Vagifem, only need a small smear of it a tube lasts about 3 months.
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 20, 2019, 01:24:35 PM
Thanks everyone. My whole day revolves around rubbing gels and creams on various bits!

I did think of the estring but don't fancy ferking about inside with it. In an ideal world I would have a patch and estring and claw back an hour a day but never mind.

Thanks again xx
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Anaise on December 20, 2019, 02:44:39 PM
Thanks everyone. My whole day revolves around rubbing gels and creams on various bits!

I did think of the estring but don't fancy ferking about inside with it. In an ideal world I would have a patch and estring and claw back an hour a day but never mind.

Thanks again xx

I feel your pain, I thought the menopause was going to be so simple. No more periods, hooray! I really didn't know what was coming next. :(
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Tinkerbell on December 20, 2019, 02:59:07 PM
Have to say I was very ignorant about the menopause, I had only ever heard of older women complaining of hot flushes.
I have never had a hot flush, main symptoms have been palpitations and the awful VA.
I seem to live at the chemist these days picking up various HRT prescriptions.
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: suzysunday on December 20, 2019, 04:13:08 PM
Me too , had no idea about what misery the menopause had in store for me till my late 50s.  I have VA and use ovestin alternate nights and Boots gel the other night.  Me and my partner joke sometimes about constant cream/gel application! 
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 20, 2019, 04:32:16 PM
Can I just double check then, do you all use ovestin a couple of nights per week then on the same nights as Vagifem and maybe yes moisturiser on the other nights? X
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Tinkerbell on December 20, 2019, 04:53:02 PM
Bobidy, i only use a very small amount as i just have one stubborn bit of irritation but i do use it most nights, i also use Vagifem every day. it is a bit trial and error to find what suits you.

I don't like the feeling of the moisturisers so i don't use them.
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Joaniepat on December 20, 2019, 05:08:55 PM
Can I just double check then, do you all use ovestin a couple of nights per week then on the same nights as Vagifem and maybe yes moisturiser on the other nights? X
]
You could experiment for a while to find the dose that suits you. Everybody is different and VA can take a long time to get under control.  Perhaps use the cream every night at first? Then you could reduce once it starts working. Some people have to use both Vagifem and one of the creams every night, but hopefully you won't be one of those!  Good luck!

JP x
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Lyncola on December 22, 2019, 04:49:34 AM
Virginal atrophy is horrible,
I'm 45 years old and had a hysterectomy June 2018. I've been battling virginal atrophy for just over a year. Started on Ovestin first, worked after a good 5 months. Then things went really sore again. Then got put on Vagifem, the longer I use it, the better it's working. For me at the moment I use Vagifem two nights a week (Wednesday and Saturday). On Friday and Tuesday I use Ovestin on the outside. Then every day Vagisil, and my virgina lets me know some point in the day if I forget. I would say I'm about 90% better, and hopefully that will improve more as just under two months on this routine.

You will eventually work out what's best for you.
To all the lovely menopausal ladies out there Merry Christmas from Australia 🇦🇺  :)
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 22, 2019, 08:42:28 AM
Thanks everyone, great to hear from Australia x
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: cityrat on December 26, 2019, 05:51:37 AM
I'm using estring and estrace (generic estradiol cream) for VA, plus systemic estrogen via Duavee as well as a little testosterone. The Estring is genius and works. I put it in every 3 months and really dont know it's there (I'm not at all squeamish though, but find it really easy to insert and remove). I put the estradiol on the outside, just a bit as per my doc. I can tell the estring is coming to the end of its 3 months when I get more sore etc just for no reason, not even sex. Tbh, some level of systemic estrogen may be needed to really keep things going. The external extrogen products have not been shown to add to systemic estrogen levels or cancer risk, in fact they are often allowed for breast cancer patients with e+ cancer. They do help. But sometimes it takes all fronts to improve the most.
Title: Re: VA Question
Post by: Bobidy on December 26, 2019, 09:05:10 AM
Great, thank you. I think Estring is something I will definitely consider in the future x