Vaginal atrophy - Estring

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  • PinkyLee
    PinkyLee Member Posts: 648
    edited February 2009

    This is the first time I have seen this board.  I too was having problems and Friday wen to gyn.  she prescribed a cream named ESTRACE.  I have used it twice and can really feel the difference.

  • mcgaffey
    mcgaffey Member Posts: 241
    edited February 2009

    Ovestin cream. It is estriol. I live in Europe. 

  • mollyann
    mollyann Member Posts: 472
    edited February 2009

    My doc has me using estriol vaginal cream. He also said testosterone cream is an option.

  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited February 2009

    mmm-5  My new gyn siad that vaginal atrophy causes bladder infections. I was never told this by my previous gyn who had been treating me for bladder infections for years.  I have been using the Estring for 5 weeks and it has made the world of difference. I hate having to use Estring but life has greatly improved since I started using it.  I was also given a Rx for microbid, a low dose antibiotic, to use after sex as an infection preventative. 

  • kim2005
    kim2005 Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2009

    After nearly 3 years on tamoxifen, I rather suddenly had intense pain and atrophy with the vaginal tissues.  When I brought it up with my oncologist, he said that tamoxifen leads to atrophy as the drug binds with the estrogen in this area as well.  He was the one that encouraged me to get the Estring and it has made a TREMENDOUS difference!  I am happy again and feel like making love again.  The estrogen is very low dose and the oncologist is not at all concerned about it and believes quality of life is the real key here...I agree and would highly recommend.  I've been on it now for about 3 months and have had no problems at all.

  • krobin
    krobin Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2011

    Is there anything new on this topic (since 2009)? My onc is encouraging me to use the estring (I'm on Arimidex and sex is out of the question because it's so painful). She says there is proof that it's safe for breast cancer survivors whose cancer was estrogen positive. I haven't found any tests, trials, etc. I'm only 57, married and would like to be normal again, but not if I'm risking my life.

  • Dilly
    Dilly Member Posts: 655
    edited November 2011

    My surgeon has been focused on bc for decades and I trust her knowledge base. She recommends the estring as safest (vs. premarin, estrace or vagifem, which is what I asked her about) for bc survivors. I'll be seeing my gyn in a few weeks for a rx.

    ETA: my tumor was 95% er+

  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited November 2011
    I've been using estring for almost 2 years.  My onc tested my estradiol levels this spring and they were at an acceptable 7.5.  I was 100% ER+, but QOL is important too.  I'll give up my estring when they pry it out of my cold, dead . . .  well, you know!  Wink 
  • jsrose14
    jsrose14 Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2017

    I wish there were more people on this thread since 2011. Anyone else using it? My onc wants me to use it but I'm hesitant.

    Thanks!

    Jsrose

  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited June 2017

    Jsrose14, there are several other posts about estrogen creams. Use the search function with estring or estrace or other related words. Recent studies show it's not harmful. I've used it myself and I'm Stage IV. Good luck. :-)

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