Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Garnet161 on May 14, 2025, 06:00:20 AM
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Hi ladies,
I have been using Ovestin internally and externally daily for about 6 months. It was good at first and whilst it hasn't returned to how it felt prior to starting, the bladder symptoms are becoming a nuisance again.
My doctor gave me a script for Vagifem which I switched to last night for the first time. I used Ovestin on the outside this morning as well.
I would imagine it will take some time for things to improve - if the Vagifem is going to work for me. How long did it take others to see bladder improvements?
I am noticing some soreness this afternoon around the labia majora which is new. I've put some Ovestin there - it feels a little better.
Does anyone have an experience with switching from Ovestion to Vagifem or does anyone have any words of encouragement?
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Morning. Many ladies use both so you should notice an improvement soon. If necessary put a little 'ovestin' on the outer areas 3 times a day for a couple of days to get that skin softer and less itchy. It can be used over the cliteris [sp] too.
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Oh and use every night for as long as required.
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This is the information on the Gina website there is a video which gives timescales but given that you have been using Ovestin/Estriol already it may not take as long.
https://www.mygina.co.uk/gina/
I found that vagifem alone did nothing for the labia so you may find that you have to keep using the Estriol there as do many others on here.
This new soreness on the vulva may go after the inital 2 week loading period with Vagifem and you are down to a routine with it that suits you. Starting point being 2 x a week after loading period. All trial and error i'm afraid.
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Thanks ladies. I do notice relief from soreness and itching on the outer areas from the Ovestin which is great. I just want this bladder urging to get sorted.
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I would take with a pinch of salt what the advertising blurb from the people that manufacture Gina says, their world can be miles away from the reality of Vaginal atrophy (GSM) and what is required to control it. For instance I wouldn't advise any woman to just rely on one hard, dry pessary without using a moisturiser when having intercourse. I would also like to say, its not all about, hurray I can have sex again, its much more of a condition than that, but sex sells as they say!
Use your own judgement, you will soon find what you yourself need to control your symptoms, by that I mean use as much of the products as you need, Vagifem, Estriol and a moisturiser.
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KY Jelly works for us along with VA treatment . It's a bit Trial and Error.
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Thanks!
The Ovestin cured the soreness during sex thing - it's just my bladder urgency which needed addressing and Ovestin just wasn't cutting it.
I was getting some irritation internally too which started about a month back - funny it doesn't do that on the outside.
Day two on Vagifem and my bladder feels better.
No side effects 'down there' but my face feels hot this afternoon (it's not here hot temp wise) and I feel a little wired and jittery, for lack of better words. I vaguely recall feeling like this one-day last week too so it may not be the Vagifem at all. It was an incredibly busy and chaotic day at work, and I may just be coming back down after being heightened a bit.
I can't imagine it's the estradiol - I am used to that from using systemic estradiol/estriol cream for the past year.
But I guess all new meds can take some time to adjust to.
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Let us know how you get on, some require internal and external VA treatment to keep things comfy.
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Day 6 of Vagifem. It's early days. I have been using Ovestin on the outside, around the urethral opening and minor labia.
I had been using Ovestin internally for nearly 9 months.
I have found that things feel different with Vagifem. There is no internal irritation which could sometimes happen within 15 mins or so of administering Ovestin. But I am finding that I wake almost exactly an hour after falling asleep, needing to urinate. It's more of an ache and pressure. There is plenty there but now I am having to get up twice every night to pee. It has happened all 6 nights that I have used Vagifem. Then again, when things were niggly, I would have to go twice a night with Ovestin too, so I won't read too much into it yet.
I do find that there is less bladder irritation through the day which is a blessing.
Ladies who use Vagifem - how long did it take for you to get good relief from bladder symptoms? (If you did get relief?)
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Most will get relief with VA treatment. I have used ovestin/estriol for many years - sometimes bladder symptoms would annoy the day/night after using in the way that you describe so I would go back to every night for 2 weeks to plump up the vaginal tissues.
Rome wasn't built in a day ;-) - do continue with your regime with the extra occasional Vagifem mid-day. Let us know how you get on?
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Thanks - using Ovestin daily was definitely an improvement from using nothing!
Will see after a couple of weeks how Vagifem fares in comparison or perhaps alternate between the two like I have seen another lady here do.
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I've used Vagifem for 5 years but with flare ups the symptoms come right back, especially with the bladder sensation that I am going through right now and heaven only knows where this flare up has come from, I have no idea.
It really goes to show that VA is always a work in progress. I am on daily treatment of Vagifem, Estriol and moisturiser and I am already upping my dose because of it, its a cruel condition for sure!
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I've been using Vagifem since end of February and I am still having bladder issues . I'd say things improved for the first month but the last few weeks I feel like it's not doing much.
Like everyone says its trial and error and early days still. I didn't really like ovestin....too messy !! Just Yes products and vagifem for now and hopefully things will improve.
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What's messy if the product gives relief :-\. I've used it for years++ and never had problems :-\. Yes products won't replace any oestrogen lost which causes VA symptoms. It really can be Trial and Error.
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What's messy if the product gives relief :-\. I've used it for years++ and never had problems :-\. Yes products won't replace any oestrogen lost which causes VA symptoms. It really can be Trial and Error.
Messy .....as in it just ran out next morning (sorry to be graphic but you asked 😂)
You're correct clkd about yes products not replacing oestrogen but as a moisturiser alongside other va treatments they can be helpful 😊
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VA is a horrible condition. I have an overactive bladder anyway which can have me peeing every hour and a half some days - but the doc says as long as there is plenty there, just go with it.
She's right - it is a bit annoying, but I just make sure to always know where the closest loo is!
It's the constant needing to pee and the irritation which VA causes that is just so exasperating and debilitating.
I feel the exterior is a bit more irritated with Vagifem than Ovestin. We don't have 'Yes' easily accessible here (I am in Australia) but I have found some relief with Vagisil Prohydrate on the exterior which gives instant relief. So, it must be dryness and nothing more sinister. I tried some Ovestin there and it burned so will stick with Vagifem inside, Ovestin on the outer urethra and labia and Prohyrate up the top and on the outer. Oh, and zinc oxide up the back where there is irritation too.
How ridiculous lol - my husband finds humour in my evening routine of creams. Me, not so much but I can understand that he is trying to lighten up the situation!