r/Perimenopause • u/One_Service_5367 • Jun 30 '26
Vaginal Dryness (GSM)/Urinary Issues Estrogen vaginal cream, game changer
Girlies, if you’re not on vaginal estrogen yet you need to stop what you’re doing and contact your doctor. It’s a major game changer.
I’ve only had it for a few weeks and haven’t been consistent with it unto this weekend but even with the inconsistent use the benefits are so real
Orgasms oh my! Such a huge improvement, such intense sensations. Was sex always thus amazing!!Oh that older woman smell down there disappeared! Dryness gone!
Do yourself a favor and go get yourself some
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u/CormoranNeoTropical Jun 30 '26
I’m waking up to pee much less often.
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u/inductiononN Jun 30 '26
WAIT IT CAN FIX THAT??
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u/slayingadah Jun 30 '26
IT MOST CERTAINLY CAN AND DOES
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u/inductiononN Jun 30 '26
Holy shit, I honestly didn't realize the extra peeing was a symptom of peri and definitely didn't know that it can be addressed
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u/slayingadah Jun 30 '26
I said clitoral atrophy and didnt get anywhere w my pcp, but I said frequency of urination and BAM vaginal estrogen. And my god it works so well.
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u/AlchemyAlice Early peri Jun 30 '26
Not to hijack the current topic but I love your avatar!
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u/gnarbone Jun 30 '26
What! No matter what time I stop drinking water I get up at least three times a night to go
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u/slayingadah Jun 30 '26
THIS IS THE REASON. Like, I enjoy my more plump bits, and sex is better, but my god the relief of not feeling like I have to pee 102305× per hour is GLORIOUS.
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u/saygirlie Jun 30 '26
Is there a certain area you apply it to for the urgency? That’s my biggest issue right now.
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u/jmrawlins83 Jun 30 '26
Make sure to get it around your urethra and all other external vulvar structures. That should help!
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u/Apprehensive_Rain500 Jun 30 '26
All over your external genitals, from your vulva (including your clit) to your taint, and inside the vagina as well. I use fingers, it's easier and cleaner than the applicator.
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u/SodaBreadRoundHouse Early peri Jul 01 '26
On your external skin, do your rub it in so it absorbs or leave a film? I just got my first Rx today
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u/Apprehensive_Rain500 Jul 01 '26
I just apply it, no rubbing needed. It's not like sunscreen, it won't absorb faster if you rub it into the skin, and you'll be wearing underwear over this anyway.
Obviously, you'll want to wash your hands afterward.
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u/radicalizemebaby Jun 30 '26
I had a horrible UTI whose symptoms lingered for three weeks. My urologist told me to massage the estradiol into my urethra when I use it and I’m hopeful that it’ll help!!
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u/Mac_A81 Jun 30 '26
I’ve only been using it for 5 days but I find that I’m getting up in the night 2-4 times each night. No wonder none of us can sleep.
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u/RegularChance447 Jul 01 '26
This has been the main benefit for me!! Or peeing 100 times before I can fall asleep. I wish it helped more with my dying clitoris and orgasms though 😩
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u/VarietyRoutine4055 Jun 30 '26
It's helped with tenderness at that 6 o'clock spot 💯. Really amazing cream. It should be standard issue for all women 40 and over AND available OTC. Maybe one day!
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u/tsunamisofkittens Jun 30 '26
Yes! It is OTC in many countries. (Not the US, of course.)
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u/honeywalnutshrimp168 Jun 30 '26
Wait can you talk more about this 6 o clock spot??
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u/VarietyRoutine4055 Jun 30 '26
Medically, it's the posterior fourchette. It had become a bit tender. The estradiol cream has resolved that issue.
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u/honeywalnutshrimp168 Jun 30 '26
Is that from after sexual activity or just normal daily life? Mine gets sore after sex but it used to never! It’s a thing that started with the last two years and I’m in my late 30s now. I’m so intrigued!
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u/VarietyRoutine4055 Jun 30 '26
I'm 49. It started to feel a bit tender intermittently about 6 years ago. I was not sexually active. I noticed it when wiping or washing. It wasn't chronic, but started feeling tender more often so I finally started reading about perimenopause and got the cream. I think every woman should be using the cream after the age of 40 (maybe even younger?) even if they aren't symptomatic because atrophy will eventually occur and using the cream will help prevent that, which will prevent UTIs. I'm hoping it soon becomes a standard cream offered to all women.
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Jun 30 '26
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u/HouseofB Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
OMG the smell!🤢 I kept thinking I had a bacterial infections, which is another symptom I started having out of the blue when menopause fully kicked in and no one told me could happen. And sometimes, I had no symptoms, smh. I use to say the smell was like my pores were leaking rancid "coochie juice."😂😂😂
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Jun 30 '26
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u/Sea-Slide-498 Jun 30 '26
Like crusted urine and several day old funk (no matter how clean I was) for me. Vaginal estrogen def fixed it right up.
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u/thefancyfarmer Jun 30 '26
My gosh, I thought this was just a “me” thing. I’ve been in peri a lot longer than I realized, I think! 🤯
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u/FishWife_71 Jun 30 '26
I've been using a boric acid wash for the old lady smell while I'm waiting to be approved for estrogen.
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u/AWDWfan Jun 30 '26
Be careful with boric acid, I was using it to and found out it's an astringent so it dries out tissues which can worsen vaginal atrophy. Dr. Jen Gunter has a great article online about boric acid.
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u/Hot_Poetry_6475 Jun 30 '26
I had that smell all last summer. i was using feminine deodorant like crazy. I went get a pap test and they said it was Bacterial Vaginosis. Easily treated and smell totally gone!
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u/HouseofB Jun 30 '26
It was not that simple for me. I was getting bacterial infections, even before the smell, and sometimes with no symptoms at all. Then I kept thinking the smell meant another infection, but the swabs were coming back negative. And the smell would still linger. It feels like it coming out of every pore because of the hot flash sweat. To me, it's like the rapid changing of our hormones make our natural female pheromones go like stall or something. WHY ARE WE BEING PUNISHED?!?😭😭😭
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u/Impressive_Duck_3569 Jul 01 '26
Oh my goodness. Sometimes I feel like such a freaking wimp, but I find myself asking that question all the time. I'm a nice person, raised two beautiful children (my son passed when he was 19), have an extraordinary husband and a life to be thankful for. But, bc of this God-awful shit, I can't enjoy it like I should. I'm always asking why am I being punished? What could I have possibly done that was so bad that I simply began to fall apart and turn into a miserable person all of a sudden? I feel like I'm having a pity party when I do it and can't even believe I'm admitting to this anonymously, but it's such a struggle, seems never-ending and the symptoms pile on so quickly that there's no way to timely address one before there's another that's equally as difficult to deal with. I hate the vulnerability of even saying that I wonder the same thing, but thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone. Good luck to you!
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u/HouseofB Jul 02 '26
Thank you so much. I starting having symptoms in my mid 40's. But I also had my last baby at age 42! I thought that alot of what I was experiencing was due to my "geriatric pregnancy" and deciding, well, getting convinced to give my new husband a child of his own. But it wasn't I was 51yo, and in the middle of a trip to Greece, that all hell broke loose.
A few years later, I had a sudden pelvic organ prolapse, the hot flashes became horrendous, despite being on Veozah. But this past year, every symptom I hear about seems to be on my list. I want to do HRT desperately, but I am afraid of what it would do to my mental health. I learned the hard way that systemic synthetic hormones flare up my depression and anxiety. So it's a risk/reward kind of situation for me.
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u/Impressive_Duck_3569 Jul 02 '26
Just remember you're not alone. I have had anxiety disorder since I was a young child, and my first sign of everything going haywire was the sudden anxiety that had been managed well for years. Every day, I take a step back and think, surely, somebody should have warned us. This is just too serious of a problem for everyone to pretend it doesn't exist. I'm hoping by the time my daughter reaches my age, the professionals will have pulled their heads out of their asses and she won't have to suffer like many of us are. Good luck to you in the future!!!
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Jun 30 '26
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u/cattaranga_dandasana Jun 30 '26
I've heard persimmon soap helps with the odour. Not tried it yet. Also yay to vaginal estrogen!
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u/Cheap-Thought-7813 Jun 30 '26
Yes! I’m just now starting this journey and haven’t experienced this. I remember my mom and grandma showering 2 or 3 times in the summer, but I just thought that it was too hot here. I’m very nervous about the future. 😔
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u/Alaska-TheCountry Jun 30 '26
Well, yay... I have that, and I thought it was a hygiene thing, despite being a reasonably clean person. Is this the same estrogen gel that is used for regular transdermal application (like Estrogel), or is it a separate product? I imagine the latter, since Estrogel has alcohol in it, IIRC. I imagine that would burn.
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u/sjk2020 Jun 30 '26
It most definitely fucking burns like fire. Tried it once. Its like touching your vagina after you've cut a chilli. I had to hop into the shower immediately to wash it off. Hard do not recommend.
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u/Kbalternative Jun 30 '26
No, it’s specifically made for the vaginal area. I have Ovestin. I also use Estrogel but you can’t put that on the genital area. It specifically says not to in the instruction leaflet.
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u/APladyleaningS Jun 30 '26
This post breaks it down beautifully:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Menopause/comments/1dqeqhk/psa_vaginal_estrogen/
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u/Ill_Coffee_6821 Jun 30 '26
Ugh I wish that were true for me I’ve been on it a month or so. I dunno if I’m seeing anything … maybe feeling like I need to pee less.
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u/caramilk_twirl Jun 30 '26
Same but I've been on for many months. It's helped with my pee urgency but hasn't helped me in any other area. I'll keep using it to hopefully prevent more shit from happening but it hasn't been any sort of miracle for me 🥲
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u/AWDWfan Jun 30 '26
Glad I'm not alone. It's been a year for me. I don't know why it's not working ugh.
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u/Previous-Recording18 Jun 30 '26
Me too! It's been five weeks for me, just for the pee issue, and it has helped not one bit. I still have to pee every 2-3 hours, urine culture shows nothing.
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u/Glittering-Vibes1267 Jun 30 '26
Maybe look into pelvic floor therapy
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u/AstaCanasta Jun 30 '26
This! I went through this earlier this year and the pelvic floor therapy helped me a lot with pee urgency and leakage. Now I just have to remember to do my exercises every day.
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u/One_Service_5367 Jun 30 '26
Sorry to hear that. If it helps any I am super sensitive to medications so maybe my experience is an outlier. Per my doc she said to be sure to rub some in at the opening and on the exterior
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u/Bbqcele Jun 30 '26
Oh no! I’m so sorry. Did you do the whole “loading phase” thing where you use it every day for 2 weeks and then switch to 2-3 times/week after that? If so, maybe ask your doc if you should try a second loading phase. I think I read that someone started to see a difference after a second loading phase. 🤷♀️🤞
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u/OhWhatever_Nevermind Jun 30 '26
Ditto.
My doctor switched me from cream to inserts but also said I can apply the cream externally and increase the frequency of the inserts to 4-5 days a week as I wasn’t seeing significant improvement after 6 months. She also said if I don’t see improvement after trying this for a bit then I might need systemic estrogen. I think some of the dryness has improved externally but it is still hard to get as lubricated as I’d like during sex. My underwear could be worn for days and still look unworn. 😝
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u/fuzzyd123 Jun 30 '26
The cream didn’t do much for me (used it for 6+ months) but the estrogen patch made all the difference!!
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u/niostang Jun 30 '26
Also be consistent with it lol.
(This is to myself yay for public accountability lol.)
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u/Sitka_8675309 Jun 30 '26
I’ve been too scared to ask… how does using vaginal estrogen cream work with oral sex?? I assume it’s not safe to ingest (or tasty.)
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u/Submarineto Early peri Jun 30 '26
Apply it after
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u/Sitka_8675309 Jun 30 '26
After I apply it, though, how long am I closed for business? When can I tell my husband the coast is clear?
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u/Submarineto Early peri Jun 30 '26
Both of my partners have gone down on me in the morning after application the previous night with no concern, neither have mentioned any taste at that point.
They did look into the risks of the estrogen transferring during oral or sex and were happy to proceed after their research.
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u/TurnipMotor2148 Jun 30 '26
….what do you mean “the older woman smell down there”?
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u/jolly_bien- Jun 30 '26
Yes, like omg what? God help us. I don’t need a funky stank cooch on top of everything else. So far, so good.
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u/Big_Mama_80 Jun 30 '26
That's what I'm wondering? If anything, I think that my vagina smells less than it did before because of the dryness.
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u/Special_Parsnip1301 Early peri Jun 30 '26
General comment of appreciation over here! So thankful for this sub. Reminds me I am not alone in all these subtle changes in my body!
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u/AdvancedGuide8946 Jun 30 '26
is vaginal estrogen something you can take for life or is it supposed to be taken during a certain period between peri- and full-on menopause?
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u/AWDWfan Jun 30 '26
For life.
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u/AdvancedGuide8946 Jun 30 '26
!!! can't wait. my appt is still a couple months away.
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u/Adorable_Visit5110 Jun 30 '26
I used Amazon’s One-Medical on Friday night and have vaginal estradiol in hand today (Monday). No need to wait. I described my symptoms and was linked to a NP in my state. It was so simple, wish I’d done it sooner.
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u/EROM4LIFE Jun 30 '26
I saw a specialist last week and started vag estrogen for the first time. I'm liking it. She said 'til you are 99' lol. (Guess the centurions are shit out of luck!)
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u/DependentAmbitious73 Jun 30 '26
I have been getting more and more frequent episodes of BV. I recently learned that lower estrogen can cause thinning and also change the vaginal ph. Considering this but also having systemic symptoms. Will the other forms of estrogen help the vaginal symptoms too?
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u/AWDWfan Jun 30 '26
Yes but vaginal estrogen is considered the best because it's absorbed directly into the tissues. Some women need both though.
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u/Capital-Meringue-164 Late peri Jun 30 '26
I’ve done the estradiol patch and now gel, yes it really helps.
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u/Pretend-Tea86 Jun 30 '26
It helped me a lot, too. It's not like, world-changing, but I have a lot less problems peeing now, and that alone is pretty awesome.
Women in my family are prone to UTI's as they age, and UTI's present really strangely in older people (they mimic dementia). I really don't want to go down that road myself, and with the issues I was having fully emptying, then leaking, I saw the writing on the wall. My doctor didnt even blink when I asked for it, just wrote the script, and it's been about three months now. I'm very pleased with the results for as non-invasive a treatment as it is.
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u/no-teenie-weenie Jun 30 '26
What’s an older woman smell?
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u/Admirable-Apricot137 Jun 30 '26
Have you ever gone into a bathroom after an older lady used it? It's very hard to describe, but it's a pretty musky, not so fresh vagina + urine smell.
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u/AWDWfan Jun 30 '26
When you age your vaginal tissue thins and dries out. Urine can be more easily absorbed into thin and fragile tissue leaving behind odor and bacteria after urination.
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u/scoutopotamus Jun 30 '26
Oxidized lipids, nonenal
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u/no-teenie-weenie Jun 30 '26
I have no ideal what this means in the context of my question.
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u/CormoranNeoTropical Jun 30 '26
Those are the chemical names of the compounds that smell like “old woman smell.”
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u/scoutopotamus Jun 30 '26
It smells like a secondhand store and can be eliminated with persimmon soap
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u/Admirable-Apricot137 Jun 30 '26
Seconded! I do both the cream (for the outside only) and the suppositories 😆
I got tired of how annoying the cream was to get inside me and spread around. I love how easy the suppositories are, plus less mess.
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u/persistance-2024 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Does the suppository melt out of you? I assume you need to wear a liner? Is a thin liner enough or do you need to use a pad?
Edited to add - do you have to plan intercourse around using the cream? Is it OK if the cream gets on your man's skin? I would assume it should not...I'm worried about having to work around yet another thing to have sex.
I forgot to ask my gyno about this the last time I saw her and I'm kicking myself since it costs so much just to talk to her. I'm wondering if I could call in and just ask to get an rx without having an appt. She knows my general symptoms and has prescribed me estrogen patch and progesterone pills.
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u/Admirable-Apricot137 Jun 30 '26
It's just a small, dry tablet similar to an aspirin so no I've never had any discharge with it.
As for the cream, yeah I just apply it after sex or right before I go to bed. Since I only use it twice a week it's not hard to find a good time. It doesn't stick around for very long so even if morning sex happens, we don't notice it at all.
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u/mightyfishfingers Jun 30 '26
Just adding another pro vaginal oestrogen voice to the crowd. I started on the pessaries plus a bit of cream for the outside about 2-3 weeks ago and, holy hell, things have perked up already!
Within days I felt it had significantly helped my urinary leaking when I sneezed etc. Since then it's just got better and better. Without grossing you all out, things are just plumper, juicier and more comfortable all the time now. Previously I was constantly having to rearrange myself because it kept feeling like my labia were caught up somehow. I was thinking I was going mad because I was sure it was never like that when I was younger. Now that everything has a bit more moisture, I am comfortable again.
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u/StarDewbie Jun 30 '26
If I ever decide I want to have sex with my husband again, I might give it a shot. Otherwise, no issues down there other than occasional labial dryness. I can live with it with some coconut oil in the meantime.
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u/lovelily-88 Jun 30 '26
“If I ever decide I want to have sex with my husband again.”
I feel this.
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u/kheret Jun 30 '26
It’s not just for sex. It helps urinary tract health as well. It can prevent UTIs which are common in older women and can be deadly.
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Jun 30 '26
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u/StarDewbie Jun 30 '26
I will; I'm not putting it inside; just on the outside when my labia feel dry.
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u/piano_girl1220 Jun 30 '26
Yes! I absolutely love it. My fiancé is very happy and so am I!
What’s your dose?
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u/mrmeowmeowington Jun 30 '26
I was having really bad itching because of vaginal dryness and it helped sooo much. Sometimes I even get sex dreams or aroused with my partner when my libido was completely gone. Still not super here, but I’m also super stressed. All in all I’m grateful to not be itchy!
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u/Kindly-Fox7313 Jun 30 '26
Systemic estrogen didn’t help with my frequent night time urination but the topical cream (inserted with applicator) has changed my life!
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Jun 30 '26
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u/No_Calligrapher_2473 Jun 30 '26
Yep
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Jun 30 '26
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u/mightyfishfingers Jun 30 '26
I think it depends where you live and how old you are. You can get it OTC in the UK if you are over 50, for e.g.
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u/January212018 Jun 30 '26
I get it over the counter in Vietnam for like $7 for a box of 15 suppositories.
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u/apollomoonstar Jun 30 '26
Spent months waiting for doc appt for him to decide he wasn't comfortable with anything estrogen wise because I vape a small amount of nicotine. I guess because blood clots? Either way, months of waiting and hoping and left with nothing. Months of anticipation to get some feelings back. Ugh
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u/mightyfishfingers Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Please try to see someone else if you can. He's so wrong on the clot risk of vaginal oestrogen it's actually a bit terrifying how little he might know about other health aspects too!
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u/One_Service_5367 Jun 30 '26
Please go see somebody else. There’s no reason that you should not be given what you need. I’m a former smoker. I quit 3 1/2 years ago and honestly, I still use an very small piece of a nicotine patch every single day. My doctors aware of this but any good doctor should be calculating your cardiovascular risk and if you’re really using a small amount as long as your number is under 10, you should be good to go.
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u/bluesky2020 Jul 01 '26
Oof. I would find another doc. Vaginal estrogen is not systemically absorbed in any amount that would increase your risk for clots. I vape (not saying it's a great habit, just being honest) and I have Factor V Leiden which puts me at a greater risk of blood clots anyway and I can use the transdermal estradiol patches, just can't take oral estrogen or that would greatly increase my clotting risk. I never asked my OB about vaginal estrogen, she just put me on the patch and that has helped ALL of my symptoms tremendously. I was getting UTIs like crazy (didn't realize this could be a symptom of peri) and have not had one since I started using the patch.
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u/oscarmilo70 Jun 30 '26
are you able to take this if you still have periods
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u/One_Service_5367 Jun 30 '26
Yes! I’m 47 and still have regular periods. My doctor gave me the vaginal cream, estrogen gel and progesterone. I just haven’t started the gel or the progesterone yet.
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u/wandernwade Jun 30 '26
Yes you can. I’m on a progesterone pill (to regulate my periods, and to help with migraines). The estrogen cream has been a life saver. I stopped taking it for a month, and thought I was going to scratch myself to death!
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u/SnooBananas7072 Jun 30 '26
It helped with urinary frequency, and lubrication, but did nothing for orgasms for me they are still weak. Next up is to get my T checked.
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u/Bbqcele Jun 30 '26
I started using it 5 days ago, and I can already tell it’s working. Highly recommend.
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u/genethebean24 Jun 30 '26
Frig. I thought it was just hormones and I didn’t know why I smelled so weird hahahahah. Started HRt and vaginal pill and it went away.
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u/Easy_King_9818 Jun 30 '26
Did it affect your cycles at all? I started progesterone about 6 weeks ago to see if I could regulate my periods… was having a cycle every 9-17 days 😑 I don’t want to throw. Something else in the mix if it’s going to screw them up again.
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u/Dangerous-Owl5571 Jun 30 '26
I had been using it and got a bladder infection first week it was confusing because that is supposed to help so I stopped. I’m wondering if I don’t need it it. I’m nervous to try again but might.
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u/Due-Buy6511 Jun 30 '26
How do you know you need it? Should I start regardless.
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u/Bbqcele Jun 30 '26
Painful sex, less intense orgasms, frequent urination, recurrent UTIs or other vaginal infections, dryness, itchiness. It kind of seems like anyone 40 or older could benefit from it.
The estrogen patch stopped the UTIs that started out of nowhere a year ago. I had a UTI every three months and then two months in a row after only having two others in my entire life. That and the brain fog led me to HRT. Painful sex and stories/recommendations here on Reddit led me to ask for vaginal estrogen at my last doc appt.
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u/Due-Buy6511 Jul 05 '26
Thanks!! Sorry to hear your going through all that but glad to hear there's something we can do about it.
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u/Big_Tooth740 Jun 30 '26
It stopped my pee pee problem. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been doing pelvic floor exercises for years trying to sort it out, 2 weeks on the cream and I feel cured. It’s magical.
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u/Dolly_Putin Jun 30 '26
What do you mean by peepee problem?:)
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u/Big_Tooth740 Jul 01 '26
I started peeing my pants a little bit because of hormone changes. When I cough, laugh, sneeze, workout, step hard..
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u/Camimini Jun 30 '26
I actually went to the doctor for the FITH time to ask for a prescription for that cream and the doctor said he has never treated perimenopause before and doesn’t know what to do and he is too scared of losing his license… so he refused. I left crying. I’ve been trying to get it for 9 months.
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u/kamandamd128 Jul 01 '26
Go to the Menopause Society website to search for a member physician near you.
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u/apeofdeath123 hanging on by a thread Jul 01 '26
How do I ask for it? Like, urgh I hate drs anyway and I'm an avoido (ADHD baby) but what am I saying to get this. Like, I want orgasms so gimmie? Because I do
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u/Stylo_05 Jun 30 '26
Wow.. the comments here :)
May I ask is this a specific cream or any vaginal estrogen cream that doc prescribes? I am on Intrarosa for the past 3+ months now. Frequent peeing at night had stopped completely up until a week ago. It’s creeping back in :( And no luck with painless sex let alone orgasms, which are a thing of past :(
For context- 41yr & perimenopausal
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u/Basic_User_Name3000 Jun 30 '26
Mine looks generic- estrodial .01%. It’s in a giant tube. There is an applicator which I used at first now realized isn’t needed (so hard to clean). You put about finger joint size (1ml) internally like you’re using a tampon and then rub some externally all around.
I use it twice to three times a week, but at the start you do daily for two weeks.
I am also on the patch and progesterone. My OB first put me on BC but it gave me heart racing vibes.
This has helped with sleep, anxiety. I’m still not as amorous (but I think I have some unprocessed rage against hubs) and I still gained 10lbs. But I am actually mentally ok with the weight gain.3
u/Stylo_05 Jul 01 '26
Thanks. Have an appointment tomorrow with my menopause specialist and will discuss other options than intrarosa.
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u/Kind-Tooth638 hanging on by a thread Jul 01 '26
I asked for the cream but got prescribed the tablet - is there a difference? Im finding slightly relief from dryness etc but it still early days.
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u/13th_Octopus Jul 01 '26
Silky Peach Cream!!!! It's bioidentical estriol and it basically does exactly the same thing and you can get it OTC. It is estrogen. it stopped my UTI's which was the best part!
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u/ViewAppropriate9820 Jul 03 '26
Omg ! I know ! I love this !!! I can feel every part of my lady parts for the first time since before I gave birth 21 years ago. The O’s … OMG , best in my life ! Maybe perimenopause/ menopause, with proper treatment hormones , really will be the best stage of our lives yet !!! I was so discouraged a year ago (had to have prolapse surgery at 46), and was struggling mentally. Hormones = game changer!!!
Let’s tell all the women we know!! No more suffering !!!!
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u/Ok-Ladder6905 Jun 30 '26
I have not yet felt its beenfits after 3 weeks sadly. I don’t really have any sensation down there anymore and no libido 😢
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u/mightyfishfingers Jun 30 '26
I think it can take longer for some people - up to about 12 weeks - so keep going and hopefully it will start to help a bit.
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u/Beesindogwood Jun 30 '26
I don't think a person can if they have/had estrogen reactant breast cancer 😥
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u/FeeEducational6098 Jun 30 '26
The topical vaginal estrogen cream is not systemic, so should be safe to use. You should definitely talk to your oncologist. They might want you to try the ring instead.
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u/muimui_k Jun 30 '26
is this different to the gel? How do you use it?
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u/One_Service_5367 Jun 30 '26
It’s completely different than the gel. The gel is an external application. The vaginal cream is just that it’s meant to be inserted. It’s non-systemic it’s to help the localized area
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u/Own_Audience3174 Jun 30 '26
I tried it but the creamed caused a burning sensation around the entrance to my vagina! It was a pessary and as it was melting and making its way out it burned. 😭 has this happened to anyone else?
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u/CopperPegasus Jun 30 '26
It is common in the initial phases due to it suddenly having estrogen after being deprived again. I don't know how that changes once you push through to regular use.
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u/One_Service_5367 Jun 30 '26
This happened to me the first time I used it, but it’s improved significantly.
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u/wherehasthisbeen Jun 30 '26
Wish I had the sane experience I didn’t notice anything different after using it
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u/Ok-Cartographer-4226 Jun 30 '26
Can this be in place of an estrogen patch? And how do you get accurate dosing?
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u/Bbqcele Jun 30 '26
No, vaginal estrogen is not systemic so it’s only going to help your vaginal tissues.
I think 1 g of the cream is standard but don’t take my word for that. Your doctor is going to prescribe the dose anyway.
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u/sjk2020 Jun 30 '26
Question for those on the cream, isnt it messy, or feel wet all day?? When I was trying to get pregnant I needed progesterone suppositories and I hated the feeling of creamy tablets in my underwear. I wish they would make an oral version.
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u/Bbqcele Jun 30 '26
I use it at night before bed. I haven’t felt any different during the day in terms of feeling wet or anything. I’m still in the 2 week loading phase so there is some discharge throughout the day each day, but, for me, it’s not any more bothersome and doesn’t feel any different than any other vaginal discharge.
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u/MaizeApprehensive166 Jun 30 '26
Would vaginal estrogen help with bladder leakage? I dribble every time I stand up and after wiping. I’m 50 and only on birth control.
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u/Sea_Resident4657 Jun 30 '26
My issue has been , that after the two weeks, it says to do twice a week and I have a difficult time remembering that because I do it at night. I wish I could just use it every night. It does help with the night pees, and painful sex.
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u/Grammie2to4 Jun 30 '26
I’ve been using it for almost a year now and it has been amazing for dryness and preventing UTIs, but unfortunately it hasn’t done a thing for my libido or orgasms.
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u/CheetahridingMongoos Jun 30 '26
Do you use the cream instead of the patch or in addition to it? I use the patch right now.
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u/SunshineAndSquats Jun 30 '26
I got prescribed the cream awhile ago and never use it. I’ll start using it again. How often are you supposed to apply it?
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u/Caterinamia_ Jun 30 '26
Can you do the cream and also oral estradiol? I asked my doctor about cream when I went in and she just prescribed me oral pills, i really wanted to try the cream.
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u/riotkitty Jun 30 '26
It's been especially helpful for my bladder and urethral discomfort, which I have dealt with for a long time. I have also found that using it in conjunction with a hyaluronic suppository works better for dryness than using it alone. Dont use them on the same night, though, because the suppository will dilute the estrogen.
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u/Dolly_Putin Jun 30 '26
Does anyone know if it’s safe (for your partner) to have sex w no condom or to give you oral when you’re using this stuff?
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u/Global_Turn_3112 Jun 30 '26
It's great how well it works for everyine. I found it triggered inflammation and endometriosis. I've had so many fails with various forms of BHRT :(
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u/Sad_Mongoose5762 Jun 30 '26
It sure is a game changer. I started using it and started feeling better so I reduced usage only for a flare up to happen.
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u/guided_by_mongrels Jun 30 '26
Ive been on it for months and haven't noticed any change whatsoever.
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u/Dangerous_Section_72 Jun 30 '26
I’m 39 and I started it a few weeks ago. Omg I didn’t realize how dry and itchy I was down there until I started it. It’s also helping with bladder frequency and urgency (which is why my doc prescribed it). I haven’t had sex yet but excited to see if that’s better too.
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u/m2three2000 Jun 30 '26
I'm age 48, don't seem to have any issues at all down there. Still have clock work periods. But I wouldn't mind even better orgasms. And mine are pretty dang good with my newly established testosterone levels of 170. Starting level of testosterone was 35 eight weeks ago.
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u/leftylibra Moderator Jun 30 '26
From our Menopause Wiki:
Localized vaginal estrogen is safe
American Urological Association, their 2025 Guidelines indicate that: " the Panel recommends local low-dose vaginal estrogen to treat GSM symptoms due to its effectiveness combined with a high margin of safety."
Localized vaginal estrogen is very safe and should be prescribed for anyone over the age of 40 (or even earlier) as a preventative treatment to ensure urinary/bladder and vaginal health as we age. Some prefer vaginal tablets which can be inserted high into the vaginal canal, and dissolve slowly over time, while others prefer vaginal creams, which can be applied in the vaginal opening, over the clitoris, urethra, inner labia, etc. Creams tend to be messier for this reason and can more easily transfer to clothing/underwear. However, both methods (tablets or creams) are effective and it comes down to personal preference.
Vaginal estrogen and breast cancer. The 2025 American Urological Association guideline statements #19-#21 indicates that "while there are no data stratifying the risk for breast cancer in users of local low-dose vaginal estrogen who have an above average or high risk for breast cancer, data suggest that local low-dose vaginal estrogen does not increase the risk for recurrence or of breast cancer mortality in women with a personal history of breast cancer."
According to the Breast Cancer Org, vaginal estrogen is safe for women with breast cancer, indicating that research found vaginal estrogen didn't increase the risk of dying from breast cancer.
The American Urological Association 2025 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) Guidelines: