Estriol Vaginal Cream

Tweeti, we have had a big debate here about hormone replacement therapy. I am considering it myself, but would not do it without a doctor's help, and I will only do bioidentical hormone replacement, as the synthetic HRT does not react the same way, according to studies, and has been linked to promoting cancer. Two books that really explain it are:

Natural Hormone Balance by Dr. Uzzi Reiss 

"The 30-day Natural Hormone Plan" by Dr. Erika Schwartz (she has a couple of other books too)

To find a doctor who really understands how to prescibe and monitor BHRT, ask for recommendations from your compounding pharmacy. This is how I found my doctor and I am relieved to have someone who understands all the ins and outs. I strongly believe this is the wave of the future for breast cancer prevention, and for healthy aging in general.

Tweeti,  my gynecologist prescribed Estrace and Vagifem for me (to help reverse vaginal atrophy).  I'm glad to hear you say they are prescribing it at MD Anderson...but for what/who exactly...do you know?  I'm still nervous about using it (estrogen + cancer).  In fact I just quit because I didn't feel it was repairing me to the point that I could have pain-free intercourse...maybe my dose was too low.  Blood tests showed while at that dose I am still fully menopausal.  (I was thrown into menopause with chemo...and also feel like I've aged 30 years overnight by taking Aromasin for the last 2 years.)

Does anybody else have more to say about HRT reversing vaginal atrophy?

thanks

fran

I have ordered myself Ovestin cream. The lubricant my doctor recommended did not do anything and I am worried that if I leave it any longer it will be too late for recovery.  I decided to trust Dr Lee on this one.  He claims that estriol is not involved in breast cancer.  I take Tamoxifen and hope it does its job while Ovestin is doing its.  Wish me luck.

Hi everyone. I am an FNP with menopausal concerns. I do not have breast cancer, but I have been researching the whole menopausal, bioidentical hormone situation for quite a while. The conclusions I have come to are that estriol is safest. It is also weakest. The vaginal cream is available through the Internet without a prescription. Also, there are sources for small doses of testosterone, which they say helps with libido issues. I am at the point where I'm going to try the estriol and testosterone vaginal creams. I'm hoping they work. I don't think they increase or exacerbate breast cancer rates. I hope not. I can update you after I've tried them. Good luck to everyone. It's frustrating, to say the least.

I've tried estrace, which was prescribed by my GYN and covered by my insurance. I've found it does work, even though it can be a bit messy, so I just use a little mostly around the vulva and clitoral areas.  

After that,  I found some estriol suppositories which I ordered online, which contain estriol, cocoa butter, beeswax, and vit E.   They come in 1 or 2 mg doses.       Just recently, I started going to a holistic type Internal Medicine doctor and she prescribed an estriol/testosterone cream, which I had to get filled at a compounding pharmacy, so of course it was not covered by insurance.  She also tested my hormone levels before and after a few months of using this product and estrogen levels never rose above postmenopausal levels. 

I have to say, that out of the 3, my favorite product has been the estriol suppositories which I found online.  Because of the Vit E in them, they leave a coating on the area, so the product stays more in place to do its job, instead of leaking out and making a mess like the creams.  And from what I've read, estriol is supposed to be the most effective estrogen product for the genital area.

Girl53,

I was just about to try this estriol cream as I was desperate, and then learned of a procedure called ThermiVa. I had the 1st of 3 treatments 2 weeks ago and it has been remarkable. Something you should consider as it's not a medication and certainly NO more estrogen to add to your body. You can simply google it...ask any questions and I would be glad to help :-) Take care!

I had vaginal atrophy as a side effect of anastrozole. I started using Premarin vaginal cream, but my drug coverage paid nothing towards it. The tube cost me close to $300. My Pharmacist told me about Estriol vaginal cream. The cost for it is $30. per tube. As you can see, a considerable difference in price! Now, the all important question. Which one works better? My Oncologist requested that I use .5 grams three times a week. I used Premarin for two weeks and was instantly impressed. I then used the Estriol for two weeks. I honestly felt no significant difference between the two. I should add that I also use Astroglide Diamond Silicone during intercourse. Together, sex is comfortable, and once again enjoyable. Hope this helps anyone with atrophy

Hi finding finding fabulous - Welcome to Breastcancer.org, and thank you for sharing your experience. We hope you are finding the forums helpful.

Kind wishes, and good luck with treatment!

The Mods

i really wish ovestin were available in the u.s. apparently Wyeth, makers of Premarin and Prempro, exerted pressure to ban prescription estriol here. Oddly, it's being sold over the counter. I haven't found any estriol product available here with an applicator or in the form of an insertable tablet or suppository. I'm wondering if it would work too solidify the cream by freezing measured dollops to make it easier to use vaginally. I wouldn't use an estradiol product with my breast cancer history.

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