Has anyone else experienced pelvic pain after using vaginal esrogen like cream or estring?

[CatsandCars]

I have suffered from a hypertonic pelvic floor for years. I also have MS, and the pelvic pain seems to ease or worsen along with other spasticity in my body.

I have had difficulty with intercourse (translation: no intercourse) since I was 51. I am now 59. Every single time I have used estradiol cream, or Estring, I get worsening pelvic pain after about a week of starting it. Stopping the estrogen allows the pain to go away.

My doctors act like they've never heard of this, and keep pushing estrogen cream for my vaginal atrophy. They just don't get it. It's hard enough to give up on having intercourse at age 51 without my doctors acting like I am the only one this has ever happened to.

If you have ever experienced new or worsening pelvic pain after using estrogen cream, please let me know that I'm not alone.

[Midori83]

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your pain. I have been suffering with pelvic pain and hypertonic pelvic floor since having surgery 4 years ago. Has your doctor recommended targeted physiotherapy and nerve block injections?I use estradiol cream too, but it does not make mypain worse. I suggest keeping a diary of your symptoms, and logging the days when you apply the cream. This way, you will be able to link the 2 together and speak to a urogynaecologist about it.

Best of luck!

[CatsandCars in reply to Midori83]

Hi, Midori83. Thanks so much for responding. I have done pelvic floor PT, nerve blocks, and dilators. Botox injections have given me limited, but very welcome, relief. It's any kind of estrogen that gives me severe pain, before and after all the other stuff, which is pretty heartbreaking. I would just love to hear from anyone with the same problem with estrogen, since my gynecologist and my urogynecologist don't seem to believe me. But I appreciate your response. 😊

[Hope4PN]

Hi. Yes, I had significant pain after an estrogen ring. My provider said she thought it was causing bacterial vaginosis and removed it one week after insertion. We migrated to IntraRosa (praesterone) which is a DHEA type suppository. It has been a game changer for me. It takes a while for it to make a difference but I tolerated it better than any of the other numerous things I tried— and I tried a lot! We think some of the additives and/or the base cream that the estrogen was mixed in was causing problems. The Intra Rosa is a coconut oil base I believe and it did not inflame my tissue. Maybe it could help you too. Just a thought. I also use triamcinalone ointment and nystatin suppositories as part of my regimen. I augment with anusol suppositories vaginally if I need to calm a flare and metronidazole if I have a bacterial infection. Hope this helps. Wish you the best finding relief from this nasty condition.

[CatsandCars in reply to Hope4PN]

Hi, Hope4PN. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

Unfortunately, any kind of vaginally estrogen, including Intra Rosa, regular estrogen cream, etc., causes me severe pelvic pain. Luckily, I have not experienced infections, perhaps because I can't use the products for much longer than a week before the pain gets to be too much.

I just want to understand why! Why do I have to live with vaginally atrophy and no intercourse? My doctors look at me funny and just kind of humor me. 😠 Sure, estrogen is causing you pain. Uh huh.

Anyway, I'm so glad that the Intra Rosa did the trick for you! Thanks again for responding.

[RomCom87]

Dearest CatsandCars, you already know my history with this. I use a compounded cream of estradiol and testosterone. It does not cause any pain for me. I have been successful using dilators and exercises given to me by a pelvic floor PT. I use a lubricant called Slippery Stuff. I have also used aloe vera gel for dryness. I get it from a company called Desert Harvest. They also have aloe Vera gel with lidocaine that I use when I have burning. I am fortunate to have a sexual wellness doctor. Perhaps you have one where you live? She actually listens to me and tries to find solutions. Maybe you can contact her. She may be able to suggest some solutions that your doctors haven’t. Her name is Dr. Pebble Kranz. Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness is her business. I wish you luck with finding a solution. It’s just not right that we should have to suffer with pelvic floor pain! Gynecologists and neurologists need to get their heads out of their a&$@&! My gynecologist almost seems jealous that I have had success with Dr. Kranz. Sorry for the rant. I’m praying you find solutions and sending you lots of love 💕

[CatsandCars in reply to RomCom87]

PS I'm a big Foreigner fan, and I've heard people might run into Lou Gramm at cruise nights in Rochester! We met him recently at an autograph signing event after seeing him perform locally. But it would be fun to see him in the wild, so to speak. 🤣

[CatsandCars]

Thanks, RomCom87. Did you ever try other forms of estrogen? I wonder what the testosterone does? Maybe it helps the libido?

I would love to contact her. Or find a sexual wellness doctor. Thanks for the suggestion!

I took the Estring put days ago. Usually I am back to baseline by now. I have been stretching my quads by holding my ankle and bending my knee. I think that's torqueing my pelvic floor around, I can actually feel it. I had no pain at all until I put the ring in, because of the Botox injections.

Thank you again. I'm so glad you're doing well. ❤️

[Cinderella18]

Hi CatsandCars. I too struggle with pain following intercourse, so keep it to a minimum frequency but always suffer for a day or 2 after. I’ve been using Estradiol (Ovestin) cream for a few years now and suffer similarly for a day or so after using it also. My theory is (which may or may not be true for you) is that it’s the insertion of the applicator that causes the pain. A couple of drs have suggested using a finger instead but that doesn’t help either. I have a tight pelvic floor and anything that affects the muscles causes moderate to severe cramps, which in turn set off the pudendal nerves and can be miserable. Not sure what to do as an intimate relationship is very important to me and other half and I need the oestrogen cream to relieve the vulvodynia. Sorry if this isn’t helpful to you.

[CatsandCars in reply to Cinderella18]

I'm sorry that using estrogen is painful for you! Whether it's the applicator, or the estrogen itself, it's no fun. I hope that it goes away over time for you, or at least doesn't last longer than a day! Thanks, Cinderella18.