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[Lynne888]

..did this myself, it was not an issue. Only did it yesterday and have already forgotten it's there. I initially thought I could feel it but it soon went away and when I got up this morning I had forgotten about it.  I shall keep you informed of how it is going. I've done the usual thing of googling it and of course read all the cancer scares (just as I did with Vagifem) but it seems it is exactly the same dosage as vagifem, it just means that I do not have to remember to insert it a couple of times a week.  I suppose the big test will be whether it actually keeps my constant urination in check. Vagifem is known to help interstitial cystitis but I haven't read anything about estring.  I've also read that if you strain to poo is will pop out so that's something to look forward to 

[Taz2]

It will be interesting to see how you get on Lynne. How often do you have to change it and can you use it indefinitely or do you have to have a break?

Taz

[Elena]

I'll have to google estring to get some idea of how large it is. 

Does it interfere with any, erm, bedroom activities?

[Lynne888]

I don't know if it's an issue with bedroom activities!!  Only put it in last night (the estring) so haven't done anything.. not dissing my hubby  but I can't see it being a problem! They say take it out if it does and then pop it back again.  It stays in for 3 months.  I've read online that some women have found it stops working earlier than that and they have it changed after around 10 weeks.  Most have said it's not a problem having sex. I DO have a very mild tummy ache at the  minute and I have wondered if it is the estring,but it's hardly noticeable.

[Katy]

Hi Lynne

Would be very interesting to hear how you get on with this - maybe this could be better than using the 10mcg vagifem twice a week!  Do keep us informed.

Katy x

[Lynne888]

I will indeed! Meant to say, size wise it's just over 2 inches round

[Tingly]

Hi lynne
Thanks for the update
Its really helpful and useful to know how people get on
I have learnt more from this forum than from specialists and docs combined!!
Xxxx

[Lynne888]

I agree Tingly, I've got more info from here too.. and I've gone to my GP armed with far more information - and fortunately she's happy to listen and doesn't mind if I have got help from the internet (my previous GP used to go mad if you mentioned you'd looked stuff up!) So far the estring seems OK.. still can't feel it, don't know it's there and the very minor tummy ache has gone. The whole ring has 2mg of estradiol which spreads over 3 months which is more than the vagifem. It says it releases 7.5 micrograms over 24 hours. I guess for those noticing that 2 vagifem a week isn't working well, the estring might be good but the extra is worrying me to be honest. 2 x weekly vagifem is still only 1.14 mg a year whereas the estring will be 8 mg.

[Taz2]

I think the advice is to have a break every so often Lynne and maybe it would be possible to have your womb lining checked after, say, six months to make sure it hasn't built up?

Taz x

[Lynne888]

Yes I think the GP said she would check in 3 months.  The thing I can't understand is she changed me from Vagifem because of the build up lining I had recently, but it appears that the estring is more likely to do it (even though she said the reason she wanted to change was because the estring DOESN'T build up a lining) that's not what it says online...

[Hurdity]

Glad you are trying something different Lynne and hope it works for you.

However I would be interested to hear where you read about Estring causing endometrial build-up, because I also understood that no local oestrogen is thought to do this - although long term studies on any such product have not been carried out.

Hurdity x

[Taz2]

It appears that you are only allowed to use it for two years continuously Hurdity http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/hrt-topical

Taz x

[Hurdity]

Thanks Taz - I missed that. I presume that this 2 year limit is because there are no long term studies on any of the vaginal treatments (acknowledged by the British Menopause Society ) - since the SPC (product leaflet) says that progestogen is not necessary. I assume this (like with Vagifem) is from studies of up to 2 years duration and while it is of very low dose, they can't actually say what effect it has long term even if nothing significant?

Hurdity x

[ancient runner]

watching with interest -- I'm on a break from Ovestin and two weeks in the symptoms are coming back although I am beginning to think some of them were perhaps caused by the Ovestin itself. Symptoms used to return on the day the Ovestin was due so I did wonder about asking to try the eString when I next see my GP.

[Lynne888]

I've taken the Estring out   I don't want anyone to be put off by this though.  I was so happy with it for a few days. Didn't know it was there, but I did have a bit of lower stomach ache. However, my weeing became much worse. It was odd because of course Estring and vagifem help frequent urination.  I suffer with interstitial cystitis and I think having the Estring in place 24/7 irritated me. A couple of nights ago after going to the loo every 15 minutes for a couple of days and feeling absolutely fed up, I decided to take it out and see if things improved (you can put it back in afterwards).  As soon as I tried to get it out, I pressed it against my cervix and it stung like mad.. so I think I am right in thinking it kicked off my IC. If I didn't have that I feel sure it would have been fine.  I am convinced the thing that started me having IC was a copper coil. I was in agony when it was fitted about 18 years ago. I felt like I was in childbirth and had the most terrible night before going back to the clinic the following day and getting it removed. The relief was instant but I have suffered with IC ever since. Maybe this means that having something sitting there full time isn't going to work for me.  I might see if things calm down and try again.  My IC flared up after the biopsy anyway so maybe it was all too much too soon.  It's worth a go girls, I'm gutted it's not worked for me so far.