Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

media

Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?  (Read 4952 times)

pebbles

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 73

My GP prescribed this for me over six months ago and i have just been requesting a repeat prescription.
however i notice on label that i should only have been taking it for two months.
Does anyone know why that is ?
My last period was seven months ago and i am not on any other HRT.
Logged

Dancinggirl

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7091
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2018, 09:18:41 PM »

Here are the recommendations from the NICE guidelines for the treatment of urogenital atrophy:
Urogenital atrophy
1.4.9
Offer vaginal oestrogen to women with urogenital atrophy (including those on systemic HRT) and continue treatment for as long as needed to relieve symptoms.
1.4.10
Consider vaginal oestrogen for women with urogenital atrophy in whom systemic HRT is contraindicated, after seeking advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause.
1.4.11
If vaginal oestrogen does not relieve symptoms of urogenital atrophy, consider increasing the dose after seeking advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause.
1.4.12
Explain to women with urogenital atrophy that:
symptoms often come back when treatment is stopped
adverse effects from vaginal oestrogen are very rare


they should report unscheduled vaginal bleeding to their GP.
1.4.13
Advise women with vaginal dryness that moisturisers and lubricants can be used alone or in addition to vaginal oestrogen.
1.4.14
Do not offer routine monitoring of endometrial thickness during treatment for urogenital atrophy.
[/b][/u]

I have highlighted the key bits you need to know.

Essentially, if you want urogenital atrophy to remain under control, then local oestrogen needs to be used long term and probably for the rest of your life.  If your GP tries to stop the prescriptions then, firstly show him the NICE guidelines and then demand you have a referral to a specialist for advice about how you should manage the atrophy.
I think many GPs ignorantly think 2-6 months would be enough and then somehow the atrophy is all better but without oestrogen the atrophy will not only return, it will become worse because of the oestrogen deficiency.   

Local oestrogen is not just a short term treatment, it is a long term preventative for not just vaginal dryness but also to help prevent bladder and urethra infections long term.  Many older ladies have repeated antibiotic treatments for UTIs which may well be prevented with local oestrogen. DG x
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1688
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2018, 08:28:42 AM »

I saw a meno specialist who told me that topical estrogen such as Ovestin and Vagifem was quite safe to use every day and long term and no need for any breaks.
I had a battle with my named GP a few months back who said I wasn't allowed any more Vagifem for three months because I was using more than twice a week....saw another doctor who was quite happy to prescribe it for everyday use.
Logged

Dancinggirl

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7091
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2018, 09:02:55 AM »

Tinkerbell
It's awful that so many GPs are not up to speed on treating menopause and atrophy issues. 
Sadly we all need to be well informed on all health issues and drugs to get the appropriate treatment.
DG x
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1688
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2018, 09:32:21 AM »

I feel sorry for those who are suffering with it and who believe everything their doctor says, I am quite assertive, always polite I will add and always do my research, but I know some people don't feel confident to do that.
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1688
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2018, 09:38:14 AM »

And to add I was referred to NHS gynaecologist, three years ago who wanted to do an endometrial biopsy all because of my overuse of Vagifem, at that time I had been using it four times a week for seven months! I wasn't even post meno and had had no bleeding issues apart from the odd period.
I refused and decided to go private at that point.
Logged

Annie0710

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3862
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2018, 10:01:14 AM »

I use vagifem every day now as it's the only way I can be comfortable.  A nurse took me off it once as she said (her words) “ I was too oestrogened up” lo and behold it all came back and so I needed vagifem plus ovestin for external use.  A recent switch of surgery's resulted in me going without for a week and that again took time to get me comfortable again

I'm on it for life and wo betide anyone who tries to stop it again x
Logged

Tinkerbell

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1688
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2018, 10:16:11 AM »

Me and you both Annie! The GP who I spoke to after my named doctor refused to prescribe my Vagifem said he was happy to prescribe it for every day if that's what I needed to lead a normal life, unfortunately he is a similar age to me, early fifties, so I shall dread the day he retires :(
Logged

Annie0710

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3862
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2018, 10:40:06 AM »

Tinker bell I really think unless you've suffered VA you really wouldn't understand how awful it is, it's unfair that these decisions can be down to people who'll probably never experience it x
Logged

Dierdre

  • Guest
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2018, 06:56:18 PM »

I've been using vagifem and ovestin everyday for the last 3 years, prescribed by my gynaecologist and GP.  I've had recent scans and lining still thin and all ok. This dose is very small compared with full HRT and most knowledgeable doctors will recognise the use of it forever.
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 73977
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2018, 09:40:11 PM »

On which 'label'  :-\ ........ it's supposed to be used for 2 weeks every night then twice a week.  That's what the instructions should say on the package as well as on the information leaflet inside.

I had breast disease in 1990s.  My GP never hesitated in prescribing this product.  Quality of Life is important.  It can take a few weeks to realise any benefit and is a for-life treatment.
Logged

Dierdre

  • Guest
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2018, 11:48:25 AM »

The instructions in the packet may read every night for two weeks then twice weekly but I've never been prescribed that dosage.  On my label prescribed by the doctor it reads use every night for ovestin and 5 times a week for vagifem.  Twice a week would never be enough for me and my vulva specialist knows this and said to use daily if needed..  I was also on Femseven conti patches until recently but they caused too many side effects so had to stop.  This is for life and we need to throw everything at it to be comfortable. Change your doctor if he/she is not helping you to control this and lead a normal life.

Dierdre x
Logged

Wilks

  • Guest
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2018, 01:23:06 PM »

If it wasn't for that stuff, I'd be transitioning to male by now!
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 73977
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2018, 02:24:48 PM »

It is Trial and Error.  I can go weeks now without treatment then I get this familiar need to pee more often symptoms, 3 nights of ovestin sorts it. 
Logged

Dierdre

  • Guest
Re: What are risks of taking Ovestin 1mg vaginal gel long term ?
« Reply #14 on: May 19, 2018, 10:22:23 PM »

I couldn't go for more than a day without treatment  :(
Logged
Pages: [1] 2