Is it safe to use Premarin cream if ER-/PR-

I agree--this is a good question for your doctors. If it was me, I'd ask my medical oncologist.

I'm estrogen positive and I use vaginal estrogen.  It's one of those touchy subjects, but boils down to quality of life issues for some of us.  What I use is Vagifem, which is a little tablet, so it's not messy like the Premarin.  I also only use it once per week which (I feel) is how I'm OK using it, even though I have had the blessings from all of my docs.

Ask your MO this question for the best answer.

I am highly, highly ER+ and was told not to use any estrogens, cream, tablets, capsules, you name it. I had been using the cream twice per week to prevent UTIs and know the estrogen was absorbed systemically because when I stopped using it I experienced hot flashes as well as localized dryness. Using a half or full applicator coconut oil for dryness helps immensely and taking cranberry capsules three times per day has so far prevented UTIs.

I used bioidentical estrogen only and maybe it helped me avoid other problems but here I am with BC. I guess I am one of the "outliers". Each woman is different and this topic should be discussed with her dr. My primary care dr. told me to stop the oral ERT and just use the cream. This was a year and a half prior to the BC diagnosis. We are each different.

I am 100% ER+ and my MO wholeheartedly approves the use of Premarin cream... in small amounts, applied locally, twice a week.

Without this, I have burning, pain, itching, and bleeding from fragile atrophied vaginal tissues. I also have extensive bladder issues from the same fragile, atrophied tissues.

Premarin cream, while containing estrogen, does not enter the bloodstream as do the pills given in HRT. This is a crucial difference in the studies cited. What estrogen may enter the bloodstream is only detected in extremely minute amounts.

In between the use of Premarin cream, she recommends a product called "V-Magic" made by Medicine Mama's Apothecary. It is billed as an "Intimate Wellness Cream" and contains only pure organic ingredients. This keeps the tissues moist, but only estrogen cream can restore fragile atrophying tissues.

That's interesting, Blessings2011, that we have nearly the same diagnosis but our MOs have given us different instructions. I didn't have MX so maybe that is the difference. Quality of life matters and I'm glad your treatment is working for you. I was using a tiny amount of the bioidentical cream twice weekly and when I stopped I had hot flashes so I know it was being absorbed systemically. I will look up the other cream that your MO recommended. Coconut oil seems to work too so far. Thanks for the info.

corky60 - I'm not surprised we got differing opinions from our MOs. That seems to be the norm everywhere.... the rules change according to each doc's personal and professional experience with...whatever. Sure makes it confusing for all of us, though... Regarding the "V-Magic" - remember, it's just for lubrication. It won't restore the atrophying tissues. It does feel VERY soothing, though...

I just remembered the other thing the MO told me: "Use it or lose it" when it comes to intimate activities. Even though sex may be painful at first, she said that it was actually helpful to the tissues, once the severe inflammation and pain was under control.

Oh, coffeelatte - I had no idea you got such awful headaches from the Premarin! That in itself would probably keep me from using it!!! Hope you can find an alternative....

I started ERT years ago as a treatment for migraines. The sudden loss of ER after oophorectomy brought on migraines! Now it's poor sleep or even a drop in the barometric pressure. They can come on during a storm. Edited to say: I also had recurrent cystitis and found that taking cranberry capsules three times per day has helped. So far so good, seven months without one. The brand is CranRich Super Strength Cranberry Concentrate.