Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: mimmy on August 08, 2025, 07:25:01 PM
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I have been prescribed Estriol cream for vaginal atrophy and was told to use it internally every night for two weeks, then on alternate nights thereafter. I've used it for a week so far. The tube is pretty big, so it seems like a lot of cream (hopefully I've read the instructions right). However, my problem is, all the cream seems to come back out the next day, and not in one go either. So I'm a bit sticky down there for most of the day. Is this normal? If so, I'm not a fan.
Update: So, I used the Estriol every day for two weeks, then switched to every other day as per the doctor's instructions five days ago. The cream was still coming back out the day after I used it. Today, after starting a new tube of what I think is a different brand of Estriol last night, I have had watery, bloody discharge and some mild low pelvic pain. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know if it's that it's a different brand, if it's normal to start bleeding three weeks in?? Any advice please?
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It's usual. What did your GP explain about VA? As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry inside and out. The idea is to insert every night appropriate VA treatment - to plump up the vaginal walls. Initially some of the cream may run out because the skin is too dry, once the walls begin to absorb the treatment, there should be less leakage.
It has never bothered me, once the treatment began to ease symptoms: 4 me it was the urgent need to P, often: there was less leakage.
If U find that alternate nights are not enough to keep symptoms under good control, U can use every night for as long as necessary despite what the leaflet in the box suggests. Medics get hung up on the 2/3 weeks then ........ it can be trial and error. Let us know how you get on?
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Hi mimmy, I was given ovestin in November 2023 and I experienced the same side effects as you. It didn't seem suit me either as it just ran out of me the next morning. Think this is probably normal as clkd says ....maybe I just didn't give it long enough 🤷♀️
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Were U wet prior to beginning VA treatment? Give it time.
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If you find it difficult you can ask for pessaries instead (vagifem or alternative).
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I use it internally every night along with a pessarie & intend to do use both that way indefinitely. I've found as long as I insert it high enough up, it is absorbed. So whilst it may be what others have said re absorption are you inserting it high enough in?