Anyone taking estradiol vaginally to prepare the lining?

Hi there,

I would be interested to know who out there is taking estradiol vaginally (to prepare for the lining, but also after embryo transfer), and if so what were you told about it compared to orally. Also, if you take it vaginally, can you let me know whether it is Progynova, Estrofem, or anything else?

And finally, just in case, has anyone "switched" from, say, Estrofem to Progynova and was told this is ok, and had no problems with it (ie. managed to get and stay pregnant)?

(Just wondering, as I am taking Estrofem vaginally but it might be easier and cheaper to get hold of Progynova in the next weeks. My clinic seems to think it's ok to switch but usually they recommend to take both orally... in my case we tried vaginally as it worked better; so I am not so sure it's ok to swap, I have asked them to confirm but any experience out there would be useful, even if just partial...)

Thanks and best wishes to all!

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Hi I have been on estrofem vaginally and it’s worked for me. Estrofem is available in the U.K. if I need more I’m hoping to stay on same as don’t won’t the worry of change. Good luck xx

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Thanks, make sense! Sorry, can I also ask you how you were told to then take progesterone, if also vaginally? Did they tell you to wait some time between taking the two? Someone else had told me they were instructed to wait 15 minutes between the two. Really glad to hear it's worked for you btw xx

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Hi I was told to use my finger (🙈🙈) and get it up as far as possible. When I used two I popped them in together. Also when I moved into progesterone also I pop the estrofem in first and then the progesterone straight after. All messy. Hope that helps you. Are you getting treatment abroad? Seems to be something they suggest XX

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Thanks, that's very helpful! Yes I am getting treatment abroad, in Czechia. They use estradiol patches (Climara) there mainly, but as my lining was lazy they added Estrofem pills for me, to be taken orally. Unfortunately I was having bad side effects from the estradiol, and the lining did not grow well... grr... Then someone on this list told me they used Estrofem vaginally and they had less negative side effects, and better results. So, I did some online searches that confirmed similar experiences, I asked my clinic and they OK-ed the change to vaginal use, but they do not have much experience with it... this is why I am asking around to double-check etc. The switch seems to have worked for me last time (although I cannot be sure that's what did the trick), so hopefully the lining will still be ok this cycle, I have struggled a lot with it over a whole year. So, you have been lucky? It would also be good to know whether the 'technique' you described has worked all the way through!! Thanks again in any case, and very best wishes xxx

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Sounds like a bit of a journey for you. My clinic abroad said using internally gets it right to the spot and causes minimum side effects. My clinic was in Poland and that was normal protocol for them with lots of success. At the moment I am 7 wks and scared to believe it. Taking each day as it comes as what will be will be in this crazy work of ivf. My first lining was 9.1 then 9.2 second and 10.8 third Good luck to you XX

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Wow, good luck then!! Wishing the very best for the continuing pregnancy and I can imagine that it might be "scary" but hopefully also you can enjoy it! Best wishes and I will get in touch if I get more advice about how to deal with all these pills and pessaries xxx

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Hello I hope you are well!! I thought I would ask you whether you remember how long they told you it would take for estrofem to dissolve/be absorbed after insertion. I try to lie down when I take it for 30 minutes but it is not always possible. Btw I called Boors and they told me it is not available in the uk.. do you remember where you got it from? Usually my clininc sends it to me but would be good to know if I could get it here too.

Anyway, best wishes for the New Year! Xx

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Hi I did the same I used it at the same time every day 7 am and 7 pm and did nothing for 30 mins. I would use my progesterone at the same time popping the estrofem in first.

I got it all in Poland just bought masses of it but you can get it from the USA easily, cheaply and quickly.

Hope all is good with you xxx

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Ah great thanks for letting me know, very useful! Best wishes xxx