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[Keep On Swimming]

Hi everyone,

I'm a vaginal atrophy newbie, ho hum!

I think I'm having side effects on vaginal oestrogen and I'm wondering how on earth that can be possible when the dose is so low and only a tiny bit is absorbed into the blood stream. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm ultra sensitive to meds / hormones so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised - but feel like a bit of a freak 

I started Gydrelle, a French product (0.1%), 3 nights ago and I'm all of a sudden not sleeping well, night sweats, headache and adrenaline rushes. I have to insert 1g into my vagina and then apply a small amount to the outer areas. I have to do this for 3 weeks then just twice a week. Does anyone know if this will calm down?

Many thanks
xxx

[Joaniepat]

Those symptoms sound more like general menopause ones. Could you need an increase in your systemic oestrogen?
JP x

[Keep On Swimming]

Hi JP! Thanks for your reply.

I see what you mean but I was stable before I started the vaginal oestrogen cream. The symptoms just arrived suddenly with the cream, yippee! Wondering whether to ditch the cream but it has helped enormously with the burning feelings. (Actually I started Androfeme 3 weeks ago and my libido has come galloping back! But brought vaginal atrophy with it...)

xxx

I'm currently increasing my oestrogen gel in micro increases - next increase is due end March.

[Keep On Swimming]

Sorry, I have another question: once we start vaginal oestrogen are we on it forever, like HRT?

Thanks
xxx

[jaypo]

I've tried everything, vagifem,ovestin and even blissel which is very low oestrogen and I ended up giving up with all of them,back ache and stomach cramps,it definitely must affect some women that way,I've read on here women having the same issues too

[KaraShannon]

Unfortunately for me I'm getting awful symptoms with vaginal oestrogen of any kind.  Migraine, postural hypotension, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to sound, etc. 

I got it at the beginning but I'd say it's far worse now, so I don't know if that's because I'm 2 years older and in worse shape, or that I need less oestrogen now than I did 2 years ago (because blood test said I was too high recently).

I need to use vaginal oestrogen as I get mild prolapse symptoms at a certain point in the cycle, maybe if I stop the cycle and go on conti I won't get those symptoms and so it won't matter.  But I would like to be able to use the vaginal oestrogen. 

[Joaniepat]

Sorry, I have another question: once we start vaginal oestrogen are we on it forever, like HRT?

Thanks
xxx

Well, yes, that's the idea, at any rate for those who want to. Normally, if you are OK with local oestrogen, you stay on the maintenance dose that controls the symptoms. If you stop, symptoms are likely to return.
JP x

[Keep On Swimming]

Thanks girls for your replies.

I'm going to give it another few days and cross my fingers I get used to it.

Isn't it great being a woman! 

[Jules]

Hi everyone,

I'm a vaginal atrophy newbie, ho hum!

I think I'm having side effects on vaginal oestrogen and I'm wondering how on earth that can be possible when the dose is so low and only a tiny bit is absorbed into the blood stream. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm ultra sensitive to meds / hormones so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised - but feel like a bit of a freak 

I started Gydrelle, a French product (0.1%), 3 nights ago and I'm all of a sudden not sleeping well, night sweats, headache and adrenaline rushes. I have to insert 1g into my vagina and then apply a small amount to the outer areas. I have to do this for 3 weeks then just twice a week. Does anyone know if this will calm down?

Many thanks
xxx

I've had side effects from vagifem. Breast pain and a bleed. Though it's low dose and reportedly safe, we're all different and it definitely gets into the system.

[Hurdity]

Hopefully it will settle Keep on swimming. I see that Gydrelle is the same as our Ovestin ie 1% estriol cream. Very little is absorbed but it is a different hormonal form oestrogen than the estradiol that is part of systemic HRT.

Interestingly though, Gydrelle, although the same concentration (1%) gives the dosage as TWICE as high (ie 1 g) as Ovestin/our own 1% estriol in UK, so the dose here is 0.5 g not 1 g

I note from the French Summary of Product Info that one of the side effects is mastodynia ie breast pain but only at the start of treatment. Side effects are more likely if you are well post-menopausal and not on systemic HRT, and when your own natural oestrogen levels are low - so the body may well take a couple of weeks to acclimatise.

I agree with joaniepat - those symptoms of "not sleeping well, night sweats, headache and adrenaline rushes" are extremely unlikely to be due to vaginal oestrogen although headaches are losted as a possible side effect. In fact as you say you have started Androfemme recently - then far more likely to be due to that? I'm intrigued by your saying that VA has come back since using Androfemme but do you mean increase in ......activity  due to increase in libido is causing irritation down there or making you more aware of problems in this sensitive area? Great that your libido is back though - long may that last!!!

As you say you are increasing your gel  - it could well be that this is causing all the symptoms you mention including VA ie your own oestrogen has fallen - depending where you are in menopause and what dose you are on of systemic HRT?

Hope everything settles for you!

Hurdity x

[kathryn22]

Such a range of advice to digest All wise and knowledgeable
Can only add that I seem to have sensitivity to oestrogen cream and pessaries Was ok for first few weeks although no improvement in atrophy symptoms even after a few months But I have developed horrendous anxiety attacks and depression My night sweats have returned and Im permanently exhausted I’m 18 year post hysterectomy and had HRT patches for about 6yrs I know we are told that there are very little side effects from topical application but I’ve been left in such a state that I’ve had to stop all oestrogen and now on steroid cream to try to calm down the awful soreness and burning that I now suffer 24/7 My anxiety attacks are being treated with medication I am sensitive to any meds and I truly believe that this small amount of hormone has caused so many issues Even seem to have problems with YES moisturiser now !! And there’s not supposed to be anything in that So if you think you are reacting go back to your medical team and discuss with them We are not all the same and unfortunately atrophy treatments are very generic and little researched Please don’t let it get really bad before you act It’s such a long way back

[Keep On Swimming]

Hello all,

Just an update and thanks to Hurdity for pointing out that Gydrelle is twice the strength of Ovestin! I only used it every day for 10 days then dropped to twice a week when I saw your message. My meno specialist told me that even if I had used it every day for 3 weeks it would have been fine because the dose is so low. She said to basically freestyle when it comes to vaginal oestrogen creams/pessaries and to use as needed - so that's reassuring and good to know.

So I stuck it out and I'm really ok now with the cream. And it really helps!

xxx

[Jules]

Hello all,

Just an update and thanks to Hurdity for pointing out that Gydrelle is twice the strength of Ovestin! I only used it every day for 10 days then dropped to twice a week when I saw your message. My meno specialist told me that even if I had used it every day for 3 weeks it would have been fine because the dose is so low. She said to basically freestyle when it comes to vaginal oestrogen creams/pessaries and to use as needed - so that's reassuring and good to know.

So I stuck it out and I'm really ok now with the cream. And it really helps!

xxx

I think even with that advice, some of us have to assess it individually. I cant use it just as much as I want. It triggers breast pain and bleeding.

[SaraUK]

I’ve been using vagifem/vagirux every other day for 6 months, then daily for 4 months. I’ve developed terrible external burning after 2 months of daily use. I stopped using it 4 days ago as I can’t stand it anymore. It seems to have reduced. Now I don’t know what to do other than use ovestin externally only. I also have diarrhoea monst mornings yet today didn’t. Maybe a coincidence.

[Jules]

I’ve been using vagifem/vagirux every other day for 6 months, then daily for 4 months. I’ve developed terrible external burning after 2 months of daily use. I stopped using it 4 days ago as I can’t stand it anymore. It seems to have reduced. Now I don’t know what to do other than use ovestin externally only. I also have diarrhoea monst mornings yet today didn’t. Maybe a coincidence.

Did you need to use it that often?