Vaginal atrophy

I have been prescribed Estriol cream for this horrible condition.  Have been using it for a week, and some improvement but not a great deal.  Anyone know how long this cream takes to kick in?

About 6 weeks to see any improvements if it Gynest it's quite a weak cream. this was my 1St treatment for the condition. If it's Ovestin that was after 2 weeks as it's alot stronger.

Thank you for that info Tracy.  Not sure which cream it is from looking at the leaflet. I think I will have to have a bit more patience as I have only been using it a week. Really uncomfortable condition though.

Hi Soxy, my Ovestin took 6-8 weeks to kick in but then sorted out all my symptoms. I don't want to stay on it too long though so am currently on it once a week and supplementing this with a vaginal moisturiser. I'm seeing the consultant today so will see how long she thinks I need to be on the Ovestin.

Yes keep going it all helps regardless as you say it's very uncomfortable. Gynest is 0.01% whereas Ovestin is 1mg. If that helps.

Actually you might be right about Ovestin timing taking longer as I was on Vagifem beforehand for quite awhile. So more of a top up for me. Good luck with the consultant let us know what they say about needing the Ovestin. It's good to know the different advice consultants give as it varies so much.

I will get back to you and let you know Tracy. The last time I asked the consultant she said there was very little increase in breast cancer figures with Ovestin use but today I shall ask her about the endometrial cancer figures.

Very helpful Tracy.  Have just checked and the cream is 0.01% so I guess it is the weaker stuff.  Thanks to everyone for their input on this.  Also, another question, have any of you found the itching and soreness extend towards the bottom?  Can't put it any more politely!

Thanks for your response.  All most helpful.

Thanks that will be interesting to know. It's always good to monitor these things anyway as your needs change overtime.

No problem. I can't say I've experienced itching in that area but I've read many women do.

If you give the cream a couple of months then you could see about moving onto something stronger. Usually Vagifem is next I was fine on those and they are less messy.

Ok Tracy, many thanks.  Feeling a bit better that I'm not on my own.  All the best.

Glad your feeling better theirs usually quite a few ladies on here. Must be a quiet week. Sure they will have some advice soon :-)

I have tried GYNEST, Vagifem and Ovestin. None of them really helped. Ovestin I used only once. It felt like there was a fire burning in my vagina. The others I used for about 6 months each. No use. :-( Will see a gynaecologist soon.

Oh dear Shirley, how frustrating. Hope I get on a bit better!

Yes it is very frustrating. I hope you get on better too. Going to get some Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules and see how I get on with them as they "Mimic" estrogen so things should improve whilst using them IF, and its a BIG IF, I'm lucky. I an using Vit E Suppositories to help with the soreness inside and they definitely help but I still get that feeling of wanting to wee all the time.

The consultant has now told me that I need only take Ovestin once a week and then after a while once a fortnight. She said there was little risk of increased cancer of the endometrium. She was fine about me using a vaginal moisturiser in between and although it wouldn't be as effective, she said that it didn't have the side effects. I'm going to continue with my routine of 1x per week Ovestin and 1x per week moisturiser and then decrease the Ovestin to once every fortnight and see how I get on. For information my symptoms were urinary frequency, pelvic discomfort when sitting and vaginal burninc for a year.

So its about the same strength as an over the counter hydrocortisone cream?

Have you tryed the coconut oil yet?i still havnt.

Do the inside e suppositories help any with the outside issues?