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[Rose]

Hi everyone, I thought I read something about putting on weight around the tum due to the extra oestrogen, or did I imagine this? I am slowly adapting my body to oestrogen cream but seem to be putting on weight around my stomach, which being very thin, looks odd. My breasts are also very tender like the times I was pregnant. Has anyone else had these symptoms?

[Taz2]

Which cream are you using Rose as Vagifem are in pessary form.  Do you have a leaflet which describes side effects? Breast tenderness is common in all of the HRT preparations and some can cause bloating.

Taz x

[Elena]

I've not heard of this yet but can only add that my stomach bloats up and down according to it's own whims and what I have eaten/how stressed I am.  I use Vagifem and Ovestin.

I have read of people saying that Vagifem causes stomach pain, maybe there is a link.  Perhaps some are more affected than others, like any other drug I guess.

[Rose]

Hi, have been in bed with a terrible cold so haven't been able to reply. I am using cream made at compounding lab which is like Ovestin. Just thought I'd read on this site that it was a side effect. No leaflet but I expect the breast tenderness is down to cream. Thanks for replying ladies!

[Echinacea]

Hello Rose,
Can't help with your problem, but can I ask about the cream you have compounded?
I have reacted badly to ovestin/gynest/vagifem.  Gynae has told me that I react to the preservatives in the cream.  However, there seems to be nowhere in the UK that supplies compounded cream.
Am I right in assuming you do not live in the uk?  If you do, can I ask how you get the compounded cream?
Sorry to be cheeky!
Hope you get sorted.
Thanks...Echinacea

[Rose]

Hi Echinacea
I live in Australia but I will try to find out if you can order the cream. I have been using small doses, every day, and it seems to be working as I am allergic to all the things they put into vagifem/ovestin, this is wonderful. It was prescribed for me by a specialist in menopause, from a firm in Sydney. It's not cheap (around $50 a tube, which is 25 pounds for you) but I am at that stage that if it works, I'll buy it. I will ring my doctor on Monday if you are interested and find out if you can get it online.

[Echinacea]

Hi Rose,
Thank you so much - that would be wonderful.  Like you, vagifem, ovestin, gynest etc have all given me awful reactions.  Here in the uk, for some ridiculous reason, we cannot get compounded creams.  So if we can't use what there is, what can we do?!  I know there are others like me on this site that have the same problem. I would be so grateful if there was something I could get online.  I know that I could get a cream from USA, but it needs a private prescription.  Have asked gynae about that, but is will not do it!  They are so tied to the NHS here, and I have been unable to find a private doctor to prescribe.
Any help with this at all would be a life-saver!!!!
How are you settling on the vagifem now?
Kind regards
Echinacea

[Rose]

Hi Echinacea. I am using a cream similar to ovestin but without all the stuff they put in it. The doctor has instructed me to use a tiny amount every day and I must say, 2 weeks on, the results are amazing. Not sore or itchy vaginally and my breasts seem to have become fuller (if tender). As it's the weekend I can't phone doctor but will do that for you tomorrow. Here's hoping you can order. If I find out anything in meantime I will let you know.
Rose.

[Echinacea]

Hi Rose,
Thank you so much!
Your help is very much appreciated.
Echinacea

[Hurdity]

Hi Echinacea

The cream sounds like a good idea - something like this ie a hypoallergenic version - should be available in UK shouldn't it?

I was just wondering what you were allergic to? You said the gynae said you were allergic to preservatives in the creams - but as Vagifem is a tablet it doesn't have the same sort of ingredients in it and is quite different as far as I can see ( not that I'm a chemist!).

I would have thought that any cream you buy would have to have preservatives in it otherwise it wouldn't keep?

In your position, if you want to have vaginal oestrogen have you thought of trying the estring which doesn't have anything like that - it just releases estradiol slowly into the vagina? Just an idea

Hurdity x

[Echinacea]

Hi Hurdity,
Thanks for your reply.
I do not know what I am allergic to, just about everything I think!  I have tried vagifem, and it burned and irritated.  I have tried the estring.  Brilliant idea, could not believe it, but after three days, vagina dried up, and became inflamed and sore.  Gynae said it was the silicone the ring was made of, that was the problem.
All the gynae says is that there are 'fillers' in everything, and I must be hyper-allergic.  He thinks it is the preservatives, but does not really know.
It is so annoying!  When I read on the internet articles about vaginal creams etc, other countries do compound, and use a base that is inert, like olive oil.  I believe the cream will last a month once opened.
Have been trying for about three years to find an answer to this.
I do get frustrated when I think that if I lived in USA, for example, it may not be a problem.
I would go private, in desperation, and purchase from USA, but can't afford it.
Thanks for your interest.
Echinacea

[Rose]

Echinacea, I got in contact with the compounding lab but unfortunately they only prescribe for doctors. I am so sorry. I know how it feels to be allergic to the fillers and yet everyone else seems to be fine on them. You almost feel as though your body is acting up but what you're experiencing is very real. I am sorry that I can't help but hope you find something soon. Just a thought, have you tried a Homeopath Doctor as they are usually clued into the more natural things? France is brilliant at homeopathic meds and it's easier to get them from there. Please let me know how you are going.
Rose.

[Echinacea]

Hi Rose,
Thank you so much for trying! I really appreciate your efforts.
Yes, you do feel as though your body is being very awkward.....and most other people do find something in the end.
I have not thought of homeopathy - I will look into it.
In the meantime... struggle on!
I hope your vagifem belly settles down.
Thank you again, I will keep in touch.
Echinacea

[Suzi Q]

YES YES YES I have had a flaT TUMMY ALL MY LIFE
I WAS THE PERSON YOU HATED IN THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL LEFT IN A PAIR OF SIZE 10 JEANS
NOW MY TUMMY ISNT FLat ANYMORE BUT ITS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR THE PAIN OF ATROPHY SINCE ON VAGIFEM GONE FROM 10 TO 14 I WAS ON OVESTIN FOR 10YEARS
NOTHING IF ANYTHING I LOST WEIGHT XXXXXXXXXXXX

[Rose]

Hi Suzi , so I didn't imagine the vagifem belly. Thought I was going nuts there for a while! God, I remember hating those women who got back into their normal clothes after childbirth. I went home in a sack! Well as you say, it's a small price to pay to get rid of the pain and irritation of VA. I am doing okay on this cream from compounding lab. It's hard on those women who can't find alternatives to mainstream medication. I highly recommend that you see Homeopath therapist, Echinacea. I lived in France for 5 years and my GP was trained to use homeopathic meds as well as general medicine. I was given a choice always of what to use, and found the homeopathic meds to be great. My son had a wart on his knee that I couldn't get rid of, but after using the homeopath meds, it went away within a week, never to return. I was amazed at how good it is. I was so disappointed that I couldn't help. I'd love to hear how you get on. I was in a Health Food shop and asked about getting help for VA and the assistant told me about products that many women use ,on the advise from their Homeopaths. Was going to try that next if this cream didn't work, so I know that there are products out there.
Rose.