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[CLKD]

I expect that the area stings due to dryness.  I use KY Jelly or Savlon on the outer lips as necessary. 

[nicolcarrie70]

Update......taking advice from this thread, I had an appointed with another gynaecologist.  I wanted to see someone local to me and had read some positive reviews about this man so booked a private consultation.
I went armed with lots of suggestions from this forum, I explained that I did not want a hysterectomy purely in a attempt to rectify my bladder issues (as had been recommended by previous GYN).  I asked if I could try Estrogel, Utrogestan, Ovestin for inside and Estriol cream for the outside - he looked at me as though I had 2 heads😱😱 Then I suggested that we could add in Testim and he looked at me as though I had 3 heads😱😱😱
He said that it was all too much estrogen and was only happy to prescribe 100mg of Utrogestan with Estriol cream for outside and Estring for inside.  NO ESTROGEL!!
I think that I've just wasted £250 on that consultantation😫

[Jenna]

Hi nicolcarrie70 - can you just clarify what exactly you are using now? Is it still Femoston 2/10 and Vagifem?

Incidentally, Estriol Cream and Ovestin are both estriol creams, so you would be prescribed one or the other. Ovestin is ten times stronger than Estriol Cream, so you use more Estriol Cream to achieve the same result.

[nicolcarrie70]

Hi Jenna,

I am currently on Femoston 2/10 and Vagifem.

Somewhere on 'the burning club' thread I read that Ovestin for inside and Estriol (as it's weaker) for the outside is a good option if Vagifem is causing irritation.

I'm just so confused though!!!!  Why would he prescribe Utrogestan without an Estrogen counterpart?  Does it make sense to you?

[CLKD]

It's not a waste!  You went for advice and got it, probably not what you were expecting nor what you wanted.  But you have an opinion!

[Maryjane]

I am afraid a lot of General gynaes are not at all knowledgeable about HRT , mad but anyway.


I am on oestrogel 1 pump a night this is low dose , I use 100mg utrogestin for 10 days a month ( may change to mirena coil ) I also have the estring in place , and if I want to I can also use estriol or ovestin on the outer bits , I don't as they irritate more.

You could use vagifem 5 plus days a week if neeeded , plus ovestin or estriol for the outer bits.

Or you could use ovestin internally and externally/ or estriol internally and externally.

I no of ladies who have to use 2 vagifem 5/7 days a week.

No shoe fits all , and what suits one doesn't another , It's trial and error and that goes with specialists I am afraid .

[nicolcarrie70]

CLKD, not quite sure what you mean?  I would much prefer 'not' taking any HRT at all (if I could function without).  I have unbearable vaginal and bladder pain so much so that at times m I have felt in complete despair!!  I am not an expert but having done some research and reading forums such at this one - I know that it's is much more likely to be estrogen that I am in need of and not so much progesterone.  I don't think to suggest I use Estriol cream vaginally and take 100mg Utrogestan 7 days per month is going to help!! 

Maryjane, thank you very much for your reply.   I'm going to try to get referred to a meno clinic as I'm finding that my GP and gynaecologist don't know enough about the HRT options available!  My Hume hadn't heard of Oestrogel or Ovestin!!!

[linfit]

CLKD, not quite sure what you mean?  I would much prefer 'not' taking any HRT at all (if I could function without).  I have unbearable vaginal and bladder pain so much so that at times m I have felt in complete despair!!  I am not an expert but having done some research and reading forums such at this one - I know that it's is much more likely to be estrogen that I am in need of and not so much progesterone.  I don't think to suggest I use Estriol cream vaginally and take 100mg Utrogestan 7 days per month is going to help!! 

Maryjane, thank you very much for your reply.   I'm going to try to get referred to a meno clinic as I'm finding that my GP and gynaecologist don't know enough about the HRT options available!  My Hume hadn't heard of Oestrogel or Ovestin!!!

HI Nicolcarrie
My GPs didn't know what to do so I saw a menopause specialist at a menopause clinic in Leeds and she helped me a lot. My GPs still don't like advising me on any of it. Where do you live. I think you need a specialist.

[Kkay]

I am afraid a lot of General gynaes are not at all knowledgeable about HRT , mad but anyway.


I am on oestrogel 1 pump a night this is low dose , I use 100mg utrogestin for 10 days a month ( may change to mirena coil ) I also have the estring in place , and if I want to I can also use estriol or ovestin on the outer bits , I don't as they irritate more.

You could use vagifem 5 plus days a week if neeeded , plus ovestin or estriol for the outer bits.

Or you could use ovestin internally and externally/ or estriol internally and externally.

I no of ladies who have to use 2 vagifem 5/7 days a week.

No shoe fits all , and what suits one doesn't another , It's trial and error and that goes with specialists I am afraid .

Hi there Maryjane, just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Some ladies have to use two vagifems together 5 or 7 nights a week ? (I know the vagifem dose used to be stronger - 25 - and is now only 10 ).
I am asking as I have improved on Vagifem but still have very bad symptoms  - I am using one every night and have been for over three months now. Maybe I should consider trying two and seeing what happens....

[Maryjane]

As a loading dose 2 Xs 10 a day for two weeks , then one every 5/7 days a week thereafter.

Which takes it back to the original loading dose when at 25.

[CLKD]

I would up that to 2 every 3rd night and see what happens, it really can be Trial and Error!

[Maryjane]

Didn't make it clear , one everynight 5 to 7 days a week .

Obviously I'm not a medic , but everyone is seen including GP is happy with 5/7 a week . The estring is equivalent to as good as 5 vagifem a week anyway .

[babyjane]

I use vagifem and sometimes need to use extra for a boost.  I also find that it helps to use vagifem internally and estriol cream extenally, sort of belt and braces as I can feel dry outside but be fine inside.

[nicolcarrie70]

I just want to let you know that I finally persuaded my GP to prescribe some estrogel - I had printed off numerous info from internet to back up my plea!! 

I used two pumps on my inner thigh at 10am this morning and within an hour my bladder and virgina felt 70% better and by 5pm 90% better.

I'm dumbfounded!!!  Can it really be that I needed a more direct route for my estrogen!?!?!

[Hurdity]

Yay! Hope this will do the trick!

I presume you still have the progesterone? Did the gynae originally prescribed this for 7 days and has s/he said anything about progesterone dosage when you are taking oestrogel?

Depending where you are in menopause - if you are still peri-menopausal then you will still be ovulating from time to time and therefore producing your own progesterone. However 7 days of 100 mg utrogestan is the absolute minimum dosage for very progesterone intolerant women and should only be done under medical supervision and if you can't cope with any more than this. The standard licensed dose is 200 mg x 12 days per month orally - which is usually the starting point and then can be reduced if necessary, provided the womb lining is kept under control.

Anyway good luck with it all and hope see long term improvements . Do keep us updated!

Hurdity x