Hi everyone.
As many of you know I am using the Estring for local oestrogen treatment for my VA. You replace the Estring every 3 months but once you have popped it in you forget about it which is great. I've just ordered my third one from the GP so I've been using it for 6 months - so far it's the best option of me.
I think I, sort of, posed this question before but put forward a 'Ring' as a oestrogen and progesterone HRT treatment.
It occurred to me that this 'ring' could be a good way to deliver just progesterone. My daughter is using a contraceptive 'ring' - it looks the same as the Estring I am using but has different types of hormones for contraception. Many women use the Mirena as a way to deliver progesterone directly to the area that needs it which can bring fewer side effects. Many women also use Utrogestan vaginally because, again, it brings fewer side effects. This leads me to think that a vaginal 'ring', like the Estring, that slowly releases progesterone locally where needed could be a good option. Many women don't like the idea of the Mirena, I've used it and I was initially not keen on the idea - having it fitted was extremely painful, however in the end I had few problems for the four years I had it. The problem with the Mirena is that it feels as though you are stuck with it even if you don't like it very much and I understand women's reluctance to have one. The advantage of a progesterone ring would be that you have more control - there would be less systemic absorption so possibly fewer side effects - and you then just use oestrogen in gel or patch form.
As the technology is already in place, and as it is progesterone that is usually the problem part of HRT, a progesterone 'Ring' could be a good way to tailor HRT more effectively.
Just to mention one other thing that baffles me: Dydrogesterone (which is in Femoston) that is closer to bio-identical progesterone than many other forms, (apart from Utrogestan) is not available as a separate pill. As Femoston suits so many women surely it would be a good idea to have Dydrogesterone on it's own to be used with oestrogen patches or gel for those who want this kinder progesterone with a more transdermal delivery of oestrogen?
I think we all want a more tailored approach to HRT and I know it is argued that there are already plenty of options but there are definitely gaps when it comes to options with progesterone.
Your thought ladies? Dg x
