anyone on estradiol?

[MrsClanger]

My gp want to prescribe me estradiol internal tablets.. ( just to confirm...the ones that go up there!. Not patches cream or by mouth )

I'm 11 years post menopause.

I hardly ever have relationships or sex because it's just impossible or agony..

Have tried ' yes ' lubricant get in the past.. With some patience over many weeks this makes it less painful.. But I then get re occurring pelvic inflammation and cistitus. So that usually ends the relationship.

( Then I go another 5 years avoiding men...)

I've recently upped my T 3 dose and feeling really good on 75 mcg levothyroxine with 10 mcg liothyronine in the morning. Then 5 mcg liothyronine at 3 pm..

I've lost the weight I gained when I was advised to reduce my dose before ( now ignoring endo scaremongering on tsh level.. Both T3 and T4 are within range) I don't want to disrupt this as I'm feeling good physically and happy with my weight again.

So if anyone has had.. or is on estradol .. I'd like some feedback..

Ive read that this estrogen can affect thyroid levels, but it does not say how!

If it might lower my thyroid levels, I am thinking maybe to increase my T3 dose a bit more to compensate before I'm affected ?

Any experiences or info on side effects or how it affected you.. Would be much appreciated.

[beh1]

All good experiences for me. Didn’t seem to affect thyroid dose, mood or anything, and that’s a plus for me. Intend to take it for life. Not s’posed to get into blood stream enough to increase possibility of cancer. Just makes things much more comfortable and also less urinary urgency too.

[MrsClanger in reply to beh1]

That's great to know, Thank you for replying

[Hedgeree]

Hi MrsClanger,

Sorry I can't offer any experience of using estradiol. But I'm interested in what replies you get as this was suggested to me by a nurse at my surgery when I went for a smear test.

I'm also many years post menopause. Was not offered any help by my GP so have just got by as best I could.

[MrsClanger in reply to Hedgeree]

Hear ya. I was never offered anything by a gp before, when I explained to this one all the issues he seemed shocked, said oh no that's no good.. Let me help!

[Hedgeree in reply to MrsClanger]

Wow! They listened and want to help! That's great to hear 😊

[helsyf in reply to Hedgeree]

I do not have thyroid issues, but was given it after a smear surprised me by hurting. It has been amazing..no side effects, just reverses the lack of oestrogen downstairs and returns it too its former glory!

[TiggerMe]

 JoJoloveschocolate is this that you are using?

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to TiggerMe]

Yes, I use Vagifem pessaries and have done for a number of years for urogenital menopause syndrome/ vaginal atrophy. Not sure about affects on thyroxine because I’ve only just started that recently, although I think it is a smaller dose of hrt that is mainly absorbed locally rather than systemically. It has helped me loads with bladder irritability, urinary urgency and horrendous dryness/itchiness/soreness - I am a lot more comfortable now.

[MrsClanger in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

I think that is what my gp has prescribed.. Vagifem.. So good to know. Thank you

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to MrsClanger]

I use the Yes products as well. I use Yes Wb (waterbased) on the pessary applicator to help with insertion and I also use a little Yes Ob (oil based) on the external areas only. There is also another moisturiser called Yes VM - I tried that as well, but prefer WB and OB. I had a problem with the pessaries coming out un-dissolved on a few occasions, but was told that was due to excessive dryness and to use a little of the Yes wb on the pessary and applicator to help. Not had a problem since. I found a lot of information to help me on the Menopause Matters site/forum at the time too, that’s where I got a lot of tips and advice when things were very bad in the beginning.

[FinneUK in reply to MrsClanger]

Yes me too. I think it's the same. Didn't like the "shooting myself in the vagina" applicator thing but got used to it and symptoms are not so bad any more so probably helps.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was prescribed Ovestin HR therapy cream (just seen the price online! £20+ a tube!!!) by my practice nurse when I saw her a UTI, I wasn’t too sure about taking hormones but it has helped with all the things JoJoloveschocolates mentions and I’m definitely more comfortable down there now.

[MrsClanger in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Triffic.. Much appreciated

[AKatieD]

Yes, I had to increase my T3 from 75mcg to 100mcg after starting HRT. I use Oestrogel, which is not supposed to affect thyroid hormone levels, but it did. Just keep monitoring and testing so you know what to do.

[66olives]

I was put on estriol before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It didn't resolve the issue. Later, after i was diagnosed as hypothyroid, a different GP put me on a viginal cream rather than the pessary. I was assured because the hormones are targeted, they are weaker. The amounts are not high enough to affect my thyroid hormones.

I assume the GP is correct. The cream is working.

[nadchaoli]

I’m on hrt (initially Evorel 50 patch increased to 75 plus Mirena coil) and did have to increase my levothyroxine slightly after starting that.

I then later started vagirux after consulting a menopause nurse. She explained that absorption into the bloodstream from vagirux is very low so was happy for me to have it alongside oestrogen patch. I haven’t had to change my levothyroxine since starting vagirux. Hope this helps.

[Fine]

I was given the pessary tablet and they did not dissolve in me so never worked. I found the cream much better. It is a very small dose of hrt and when taken over a year would be equivalent to just one hrt oral tablet.

It will not affect your hrt.

[radd]

Mrs Clanger,

Vaginal oestrogen meds do not negatively affect thyroid hormone meds/levels.

This happens mainly with oral oestrogen tablets that encourage the liver to boost more transport proteins that bind too much thyroid hormone, leaving too little 'free'.

I have no experience of vaginal oestrogen as am on HRT but read it helps improve dryness and irritation. I'm glad you are feeling better and would say go for it!

[gabkad in reply to radd]

radd, have you ever tried testosterone as well as the usual HRT?

I have read different informations but it's supposed to help in achieving

orgasm and desire. I don't have a problem with the lubrication part of

the program. It's the big O that's become a challenge.

[radd in reply to gabkad]

gabkad,

Haha, hell yeh!!! 💪🤩. You need be supplementing both O & P to take additional T. I take to help preserve bone health as was diagnosed osteopenic aged 49, which has since reversed (thank you to T3 and HRT 🙏).

[gabkad in reply to radd]

Are you using T gel? And what's the dose? I've read that neither 5 nor 10 mg causes any secondary male sexual development but does help with the big O's.

I need to find out if my new GP would be amenable.

[radd in reply to gabkad]

gabkad

Nope, no hairy bum yet!

Testogel - 1/8 of a sachet but I actually use less as it lasts me longer than two weeks.

More info here ... healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[gabkad in reply to radd]

Thanks. I'm going to contact my compounding pharmacy to find out what they can make up for me. Get my ducks in a row and tell my GP that I have an absent libido. I will then be able to give her the information for the prescription and if she hems and haws, I'll suggest a 6 month trial........ She's not terribly personable and she is in her late 30s so she probably has no clue as to what we older females need to keep up with the boys!

The boys can get those 'boy pills' no problem.

Ah, back in the day the boys had to keep up with me....... those were the days. I want them back.

[radd in reply to gabkad]

Oh, you are funny 🤣.

Yes, I forgot to say that 'libido' is the key word here in UK but seem to recall you're in Canada so not sure it is the same view. My GP has no clue and just prescribes a box that indicates it is readily available every month (like for a man) when in reality the ladies prescription should be a box a year! 🙄

[gabkad in reply to radd]

Libido is libido except when it isn't.

If the testosterone will have me jumping off the top of the wardrobe or swinging from the chandelier, that will be wonderful.

There's a British doctor, famous guy who goes to Ukraine to teach surgical techniques (brain surgery). He got prostate cancer and was given medication to suppress testosterone production. He sure didn't feel good.....he got a big time dose of 'manopause'. Loss of muscles, loss of strength, energy, mood, you name it. I thought, hey, you got what we got buddy. But no, he doesn't connect the dots.

[Capella1 in reply to radd]

🤣

[StillEverHopeful]

Still early days for me using it but I was told the dose is so small and very localised that it was unlikely to affect how the levo works.

[Reallydonthaveaclue]

I use this too. Haven't noticed any side effects either. Did have a couple of incidents where pessary didn't dissolve. Only in the last T2 weeks have I had my levo upped by 25mcg alternate days. Has helped with vaginal atrophy.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Many years ago I had those (vagifem, I think) just for a few weeks. They were very good.

[Tlflom]

Admittedly, I know little about UK social medicine except the struggles I read on this site. Can you shop around and try other docs? Clearly you need to fire your current GP. A doc that can not listen and act on your concerns is less than worthless to you.

[ForViolet in reply to Tlflom]

But most in my experience are like that. Hard to find one who works with you. There is some help finding good doctors on Stopthe thyroid madness....

[Selina-E]

I'd been quietly suffering the miseries of vaginal atrophy for a year or so before finally seeing my GP who suggested I try Vagifem - it might sound dramatic but it changed my life.

I started using it twice a week but after a couple of years some of the symptoms started coming back. Had a call with my GP and my prescription was increased right away to thrice a week and more recently to 4 times a week. She said some women need to use it daily - it's basically whatever dose you need to keep you comfortable.

[therese3009]

Hello, yes they're probably Vagifem pessaries. They are harmless but help alot with all menopause/post menopause symptoms. They haven't been strong enough for me so I'm on an Eostrogen cream internally twice weekly. I have low thyroid but haven't found a problem with the pessaries or cream affecting my thyroid levels. I'm also on Eostrogen gel, which I put on my thigh and it's a welcome relief to my symptoms.

[jillyana]

I am 64 & was started on Vagifem to try to stop the amount of cystitis attacks I keep on getting. I take thyroid meds. at night. I haven't noticed the pessaries interfere with the thyroid tablets at all - then again, they might reduce the potency & I haven't noticed.

I usually send my husband to get the Vagifem, as I hate the way the male chemist keeps saying the word out loud in front of a shop full of customers! I cringed yesterday as I had to collect more antibiotics for a UTI as well as the Vagifem & the chemist shouted the word out & he was bagging up my prescription! Everyone in the chemist got to know what I was collecting😩

[Selina-E in reply to jillyana]

How incredibly unprofessional of that chemist! Everyone deserves confidentiality when it comes to medical matters.

There's no need to be calling out anything except the name on the prescription. You should complain to the manager of the store.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to jillyana]

Totally wrong.

Last year, I was prescribed an anaesthetic cream for shingles. And when I went to collect, the staff had to discuss because they couldn't find it. And something amused them when they realised what had been dispensed. But they didn't say anything. Leaving it for me to see the Vagisil when I looked in the bag.

Seems that was the only such product that could be prescribed!

(I'm a six-foot, grey/white haired bloke.)

I didn't mind them being amused - I was. I don't know what I'd have done if they'd shouted that out - but it would have been very wrong to do so.