Estradiol/Burning

[Mtndogg12]

Hello, so I feel as though I’m back to square one, my Gynecologist gave me Estradiol cream because of the severe burning I’m experiencing.

The dose is 0.5g twice a week, I felt it was not helping so asked if I could use it more often, she said no, the maximum dose is 3 times per week. (???)

I’ve read many people use it every day for 2 weeks then go down to 2 to 3 times per week.

I was up most of the night again because this burning is a nightmare, like a hot poker, some days I feel fine then the burning will start again for a few days. Does the Estradiol just take time to work?

I’m now using the cream 3 times a week, I just don’t know what to do, should I do the full 2 weeks loading dose and just push through hoping the cream will work?

My Dr. said no, can’t do that, max is 3 times per week so I’m all upset.

Anyone experience this burning and eventually the cream helped? I can’t stand this!!! Thank you for any help/advice

[Eevee_S]

Hi. So sorry for your suffering. I see you’re in US. Here in the UK we are told to use for 14 consecutive nights and then twice a week thereafter. Thing is, with the cream down there, it doesn’t go anywhere else and doesn’t go systemic. So it really doesn’t matter. But also, if it doesn’t help, there’s something called intrarosa which is DHEA and converted to estrogen and testosterone down there. Has like a steroid ability to turn things back to how they once were. Look up Dr Louise Newson and her website Balance Menopause. She’s guiding our NHS on menopause here and used it herself. To great effect. Try read up on everything she says for vaginal discomfort. Really hope it helps.

[Mtndogg12 in reply to Eevee_S]

Thank you! Just don’t know what to do, is there something in the cream itself that’s causing more burning or will it just take time to work as I’m so sore, so anything would bother me.

Would you give it time to work? So hard to know what to for the best.

My gynecologist sent me a message saying:

“ You can only use up to 3 times per week which you’re more than welcome to try, I was hoping this would be an easy fix” that was it!

Doesn’t help!

[Eevee_S in reply to Mtndogg12]

Oh bless you. It can be so painful. And a lot to cope with. I’ve read a lot of people struggling with burning. The thing is, after a few years where things have been dry and irritated, everything becomes inflamed. The flora and fauna down there is no longer abundant so leaves you prone to infection and less protection of the membranes. So there’s 3 options. (Here in uk anyway). Ovestin cream - estriol. Vagifem pessaries - estradiol. Intrarosa - DHEA which converts to all the hormones down there which protected us the first 50 years! And reduced inflammation too. The cream seems to be the one which can cause burning where inflammation seems to be present. Could you try another type? Your gynea sounds so unhelpful, it’s terrible. Look up the ones I’ve mentioned and see if there’s equivalent in US. For info - I use the vagifem pessaries twice a week. I use the Ovestin cream daily externally (it’s not dangerous to use daily). And go see your gynea armed with info. Or change dr. I hope this helps. Sounds like you’re inflamed and need extra help to reverse the atrophy etc. please just ask if any other questions. Happy to help x

[Eevee_S in reply to Eevee_S]

Just read this online too:

Ovestin feels like it’s burning

There are a couple of potential causes for a burning sensation when using Ovestin.

Firstly, it is listed as a possible side effect in the patient information leaflet. Technically referred to as “application site irritation and pruritus”, these are general terms used to describe skin discomfort, including burning, itching, soreness or irritation.

These symptoms are usually most severe at the start of treatment, during the early weeks of treatment when you are using Ovestin every day.

Another potential cause for the burning sensation is the degree of your VA/UA. When your internal or external genital skin is depleted of Oestrogen it becomes thin and dry, this makes it both easily irritated and easily damaged, it can feel particularly uncomfortable internally when using the vaginal applicator.

As a comparison, you have probably had chapped lips at some time. You might have even had lips that were so sore and broken that anything you put on them would make them tingle, burn or sting, even gentle products like Vaseline.

This can be the case with VA/UA, although the Ovestin is helping the skin to repair, it can still feel uncomfortable to use.

The final consideration is the product itself, it is possible to have a sensitivity to one of the ingredients in Ovestin cream. If you have sensitive skin elsewhere on your body, or have had reactions to other skin products before then this could be the case.

To test this, you could apply a very small smear of Ovestin to another area of skin, I usually recommend the inner wrist, and see if it causes a reaction like stinging or redness. You should only do this once.

What can you do?

If you are still early on in your treatment, particularly those first weeks when you are using Ovestin every day then the advice is often to carry on. As your skin absorbs the Oestrogen and returns to its former, healthier state these symptoms should reduce.

That said, only you know how bearable the burning and irritation is for you, so here are some other considerations and advice.

Blissel Gel

Blissel Gel is another vaginal product containing the drug Estriol. Although it is technically a lower strength than Ovestin, most women find it just as effective.

The main difference between Blissel and Ovestin is that Blissel is a water-based gel, as opposed to Ovestin which is an oil-based cream.

Blissel is a newer product to the market and the water-based formula is designed to provide moisture to the vaginal tissues alongside the Oestrogen, relieving the symptoms of VA/UA faster and feeling more comfortable to use.

You can buy Blissel Gel using our Online Doctor service here.

It is absolutely safe to switch from Ovestin to Blissel, you do not need to reduce one before starting the other, just substitute.

[Earthmother1]

Hi, I use the cream, and my instructions from the dr were to use every night for 2 weeks via applicator, my applicator has a red mark to fill with the cream (only a small amount). After 2 weeks loading, go down to using twice a week. I then separate the applicator and any remaining cream that I can salvage from the applicator I apply to vagina entrance and inner labia area, basically any part of the vagina that is irritated/ sore. I'm in the UK and loading instructions are on the information leaflet, I hope this helps. Xx

[Mtndogg12 in reply to Earthmother1]

Thank you. Did you experience any burning when you first started? I’m trying to figure out if there is something I’m allergic to in the cream or am I so sore, it’ll take time for the cream to work? This is agony and don’t know what to do.

[Earthmother1]

My issue was deep itching and soreness, it took about a month to resolve the issue after the loading and then twice a week usage. Burning is a symptom of atrophic vaginitis, so it might be that your hrt isn't quite right or that the cream needs to be applied more. I really feel for you as is not nice to have an unhappy vagina! I hope you can find a way to resolve it. I did read a book where a woman put cold cans on her vagina as the burning was so bad, so you're not alone. I really hope you find relief soon xxx big hugs xxx

[Mtndogg12 in reply to Earthmother1]

I was actually lying in bed last night with a bagful of ice between my legs! It did help, made everything numb! I took a break from the cream last night, just couldn’t do it. Dread trying it again tonight but will, thanks so much for all your help.

[Earthmother1]

It sounds awful for you. The books called my menopausal vagina and me by Jane Lewis, she talks about her experience and she too suffers with burning, you might find reading her experience resonates with you. Xxx