estrace cream

Body: 

Hello
Has anyone had bad side effects with estrace cream? I used once and feel like it has caused pain down there. The doctor prescribed it because of pessary use, but would like to try something natural and stay away from any synthetic hormones since this stuff is actually made from the urine of horses, (just found that out). Not to mention how pricey it was, more money wasted on pharmacuetical drugs I cannot take.
I would appreciate any input

Hi 51

I haven't used Estrace cream, but I am wondering how you are applying it. Is it possible that you are abrading the surface of your vagina while applying it?

Hi louiseds
I just applied as directions instructed, but in side effects it says causes irritation upon the site applied, although I have not heard of other complaints on here from it. From now on before I take anything from doctor I am looking up side effects because I will have them.
I am so senstive to everything I take or ingest, and have had problems with tampons also, must be part of the menopause thing!
Do you know of any alternatives?

Hi 51

I have just re-read all your posts and am putting your story together. I understand you have a rectocele, tried using a tampon as a pessary, but it irritated badly. You now have a pessary and the doctor wants you to use Estrace cream with it, but it is causing irritation. Right, so far?

Have you actually used the pessary? Are you using it all the time? Can you get it in and out yourself?

If you are only using it for short periods you might be OK with just some lube. I would even go as far as inserting some fresh, raw yoghurt with it. The stuff I was prescribed a long time ago, to use with my pessary, was Acigel, which I think is similar to Trimosan. Acigel smelt like vinegar. It was designed to keep my then young vagina acidic, presumably so I didn't get candida, which is much more likely now you are menopausal. I would think, "Suck it and see". No silly, not the pessary. I was speaking metaphorically!

I think they prescribe Estrace to thicken the walls of the vagina, so they don't get irritated by the pessary. Not much use if the anti-irritant irritates, eh? Replens is one alternative you could try. I saw results of an OK-looking trial that shows that Replens does does actually help develop the vaginal epithelium (surface) cells in menopausal women. May, Blue and I had a long thread about Replens. Search for it using the Search box. 'Replens' should bring it up.

Your weight loss may be a factor in your worsening rectocele, but like recovering from pregnancy you will probably experience some reversion of fascia over the following couple of years. How much, I do not know.

Keep working on WW posture. You might even be able to give the pessary a miss in a couple of years, but I wouldn't count on it. In the meantime just do what works. That may be using the pessary only when necessary, or only during the day.

Louise