No that's not so - no need to lie down! When I use Vagifem I insert mine in the morning standing up and stand still for 5 secs max before wandering about and later do my exercise class! The tablets are designed to stick instantly to the vaginal walls and stay there.
Your doc is also completely wrong about the progesterone. I can understand a doc not taking word/advice from random women on a forum but it is important to distinguish this chat part of the site from the main website which is written and maintained by a leading gynaecologist - Dr Currie - current chair of British Menopause Society so docs should take notice of the information presented!
Here is the exact info:
"Low dose vaginal estrogen preparations can be used long term without causing any known systemic effect, and without needing any progestogenic protection of the lining of the womb."http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.phpPlease print it off and take to your doc - or one that is more receptive to up to date information!
Also the other possibility is the Estring if she is funny about more than 10 mcg twice a week. This delivers approx 50 mcg per week - the same as the 2 x 25 mcg and there is nothing about progesterone but perhaps needs monitoring more closely over long period of time:
Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma
Women with an intact uterus with abnormal bleeding of unknown aetiology or women with an intact uterus who have previously been treated with unopposed oestrogens should be examined with special care in order to exclude hyperstimulation/malignancy of the endometrium before initiation of treatment with Estring.
In women with an intact uterus the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is increased when oestrogens are administered alone for prolonged periods. The reported increase in endometrial cancer risk among systemic oestrogen-only users varies from 2- to 12-fold compared with non-users, depending on both duration of treatment and on oestrogen dose. After stopping treatment risk remain elevated for at least 10 years.
Endometrial safety of long-term (more than one year) or repeated use of local vaginally administered oestrogen is uncertain. Therefore, if repeated, treatment should be reviewed at least annually, with special consideration given to any symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma.
As a general rule, oestrogen replacement therapy should not be prescribed for longer than one year without another physical, including gynaecological examination being performed. If bleeding or spotting appears at any time on therapy, the reason should be investigated, which may include endometrial biopsy to exclude endometrial malignancy.
The woman should be advised to contact her doctor in case bleeding or spotting occurs during treatment with Estring.
Unopposed oestrogen stimulation may lead to premalignant or malignant transformation in the residual foci of endometriosis. Therefore, caution is advised when using this product in women who have undergone hysterectomy, because of endometriosis, especially if they are known to have residual endometriosis.
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1512/SPCEstring is listed here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.phpAlso as I've said elsewhere (would have been on a thread of yours?) the NICE Guidelines provide for beoing prescribed local oestrogen more frequently than 2 x 1 0 mcg per week under specialist supervision so if your doc is not playing ask to be referred to someone who knows what they are talking about and/or is prepared to learn!
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.https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptomsAs for the touch therapy - well maybe a physical treatment does work to some extent - but if it was as good as local oestrogen it would be available on NHS - like endometrial ablation for heavy periods ie as an option. Maybe there are research trials under way?
How old are you? As the others have said full HRT as well as local oestrogen might be the way to go. From this site:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/dryness.phpVAGINAL TREATMENTS
Local estrogen can be used for vaginal and bladder symptoms, when systemic treatment is not desired or appropriate. For some women, vaginal estrogen may be required along with systemic HRT.Hope this helps and good luck!
Hurdity x
