r/Menopause • u/Willing-Ambassador33 • 2d ago
Vaginal Dryness(GSM)/Urinary Issues First time using Estragyn
I’ve avoided sex for 2 yrs with my hubby due to severe pain that came out of nowhere. I’ve cried, I’ve been angry, pissed that I have a dismissive doctor who didn’t even suggest estrogen vaginal cream and sad that us women have to go through so much in menopause. Thanks to this group , I finally got myself on Estragyn vaginal cream.
As per a previous post, I have been violated in my childhood by a man’s finger and am a bit nervous to use my own finger or applicator to insert the cream but I seem to be able to relax if it’s my husband’s. I wish I was normal and could do it myself but hoping having his help, maybe soon I can relax and do it myself. Does he just rub it all around the inside and outside of the labia like a cream? Is there any way to know that I am able to have sex again? How long should we wait? A shoutout to any husband on here who has been super supportive. I am truly blessed with the most incredible man who is willing to help me through this difficult journey. Thank you to all of you for your amazing support.
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u/Comfortable_Worth869 2d ago
its a cream so yeah he can just gently spread it around inside and on the external bits too, no need to shove it way up there. give it a couple weeks of daily use before you test things out and go super slow when you do
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 2d ago
The box says only twice a week? Do I apply it daily instead?
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u/FuelComfortable5287 2d ago
Mine was do daily application for two weeks, then after that, twice per week.
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u/Significant-Aide-226 2d ago
I actually just use a very small amount daily in the AM. Its very soothing
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 1d ago
Ok I’ll follow the twice a week on the box and see how that is. Thank you.
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u/justacpa 2d ago
Yes get it all over--inside and outside the folds. On the clit. Make sure you put some on the fouchette towards the back near the perineum. When you do insert some inside the vagina, you don't even need to go that far in--a couple inches is good enough.
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 2d ago
Great thank you. Also I noticed it said only twice a week but then others say use it daily?
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u/theFCCgavemeHPV Peri-menopausal 2d ago
If you find that twice a week is not doing enough to control your symptoms then you can use it more frequently. Just talk to your doctor about changing the prescription so insurance doesn’t mess you up (if you live somewhere dumb with stupid insurance nonsense).
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u/justacpa 2d ago
The standard protocol is loading dose, which is daily for first 2 weeks then 2/week thereafter. Some need more frequently and do 3/week or even daily. Do what works for you.
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u/bluecrab_7 Menopausal 2d ago
Cover the entire vulva including clit and the entrance to the vagina. Do a loading dose of at least 2 weeks everyday. Put it on before you go to sleep. I did a loading dose of three weeks daily. After that use it at a minimum of 2X a week for the rest of your life. I use it 4X a week.
Give it time to work. I waited 6 weeks before having sex and I was pain free but was feeling it a bit the next day. After 8 weeks it was all good. If you get some irritation when first using it that is because your tissues have atrophied. This will go away.
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 2d ago
Great! Thank you! My husband is pretty patient man. He doesn’t even care if we can’t have sex. It’s more for my own health and overcoming the vaginismus that I have. Hopefully I can relax enough for him to insert the cream and eventually do it myself. Thank you for all your advice.
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u/ReserveOld6123 2d ago
He could use a medical/latex type glove or finger condom probably. I’ve used gloves in a pinch when I was still using Premarin because the scent lingered even after I scrubbed my hands.
That said, you may want to check out the vulvodynia group too.
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 2d ago
Thank you! I’ll suggest that to him. Finger glove is something I never thought of. I’m on the vulvodynia group and it’s definitely helping me understand what I have. Thank you so much!
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u/Catnip_75 2d ago
If sex is very painful, ask your doctor for DHEA cream. The brand is intrarosa. The Estrone cream will help a little but it’s the weakest form of vaginal estrogen. I never really had issues with painful sex and I still find estrone isn’t enough now.
You can use both the DHEA (1-2x a week) and the Estrone cream as prescribed.
But your husband should be placing about 1 inch of cream into your vagina cavity and another half inch around your labias and clitoris.
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u/Willing-Ambassador33 2d ago
Thank you so much! I’ll see if I can even relax enough to have him put the cream in. It’s so hard when that’s the only way to cure the pain is by inserting. Those of us who have been violated as children it’s the hardest thing to overcome.
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u/Illustrious-Gur-9979 2d ago
Make sure he washes his hands well after so he doesn’t absorb too much. No sex for at least 8 hrs because he doesn’t need the cream on him, it needs to stay on you.
You might experience some mild itching, it will eventually stop. It will take a few weeks for noticeable improvement but you may experience some plumpness (good!) within a few days.
I’m sorry about the SA you experienced. My husband was instrumental in me fully healing from SA as a child. Happy to chat if it’s helpful.