Topical oestrogen

Body: 

I am 66 and have just been terribly shocked to discover a POP that had got to the bulging stage before I realised anything was happening. My doctor prescribed me 15 topical oestrogen tablets to use in preparation for having a pessary inserted. After using only 2, my pelvic organs are transformed from almost uncontrollably ballooning and slithery into almost too hard and firm, albeit a funny shape. Like this, I no longer really have a problem. But is continuing to use oestrogen an option? I imagine I was naturally very low in oestrogen, as I am very thin.

Hi Alix,

Do you have your uterus? Estrogen has profound effects on the body, which is why doctors have prescribed it ubiquitously for decades. The choice to take the hormone is totally yours and all I can say is most of us here are not choosing HRT.

My personal take on the matter is that post-menopause vaginal prolapse is best managed by this posture/breathing/exercise work and also nutrition. The need for good antioxidant status in the older woman cannot be overemphasized. That is really the role of estrogen (along with being a "trophic" hormone), which is considered the most powerful antioxidant in the body. Yet, nature deems that we lose most of our estrogen as older women. I think the more we try to follow nature’s blueprint, the healthier and happier we’ll be.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Hi Christine, thank-you so much for your work and your site. Yesterday when I found it I was in a horrible state of shock and grief, almost despair. Afterwards, I was able to go to bed feeling fairly optimistic and much more my normal self. I have ordered your book, but I'll have to wait for it to arrive from the US. Meanwhile, I'll glean what I can from the site.

Thanks again, Alix.

I took this for about three months because of vaginal dryness. No signs of prolapse at the time. Unfortunately I had side effects. My vision was affected and got migraines. I had the same side effect when I tried HRT about seven years ago. So I've decided not to take it anymore. Obviously HRT doesn't agree with me.