Estrace Vaginal Cream and Burning: What Users Say

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Horrible itching, burning, swelling from any topical estrogen I tried - Estrace, Vagifem, Premarin. After 3 years of suffering, all with normal cultures (no infection), I insisted on biopsy of vulva - showed probable hypersensitivity reaction from allergy!!! Stopped all estrogens, but atrophic vaginitis returned with different burning and dryness, and painful sex. Then researched and found out that topical estrogens can cause all my symptoms from allergic reaction to the preservatives and other ingredients! My gyn had no clue. I researched this, and told doctor to order Estriol cream in VERSABASE cream base - VERSABASE is hypoallergenic. I AM CURED - the compounded Estriol in VERSABASE has fixed my atrophic vaginitis without allergic reaction. I have my vagina back! Find a compounding pharmacy - I use Estriol 1 mg/gram compounded - daily x 2 weeks then twice a week. Call around as the different compounding pharmacies have huge price differences for the same compound. Good luck!!!!"

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 71 years old and my doctor prescribed estradiol for vaginal atrophy. I was reluctant to try it, but my symptoms worsened, so I started the estradiol three times a week. After a few weeks, I was symptom-free and feeling great. However, after three months, my symptoms gradually returned, and now I have burning all day and the urination urgency off and on during the day. My symptoms abate at night. My doctor doesn’t have any answers as to why the medication stopped working. Does anyone else have this problem, and what was your solution?"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2018

For Atrophic Vaginitis "For those who commented about burning from using Estrace... I also had burning from it. My research led me to believe that the propylene glycol and/or glycerin in the product were the culprits. I switched to a hypoallergenic form of estradiol from a good compounding pharmacy and that solved the problem. No burning and the estradiol was so helpful."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2017

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Help! Can anybody who has had burning after using this horrible cream tell me how long does the burning last? Anyway how do you stop the burning? I put it in once and have been burning for 24 hours... any way to stop the burn?"

• InP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 53 and had a complete hysterectomy 27 years ago and have been taking oral Premarin. Dr. Put me on the Estradiol patch which gave me headaches, so we just stopped all HRT. A few weeks later, I developed a UTI and had extreme vaginal and urethra pain. I was put on Estradiol Cream which irritated all of my skin, so they switched me to Estradiol vaginal tablets. I have been using it for 10 days and I am burning, aching, and it feels like something is stuck in me. I do not like this cream and am wondering if the Premarin cream would work better. I keep wondering if this pain will ever go away. Has anyone had symptoms for over 10 days while using the cream?"

• Ley...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2014

For Atrophic Vaginitis "At 46, I began having UTIs, urinary frequency/urgency, and burning vaginal dryness. I was prescribed Estrace, but the standard formula caused me burning as well. However, a compounded version of estradiol in a hypoallergenic formula has been very helpful. My vaginal burning has stopped, and the urinary urgency/frequency has improved dramatically over the last 2+ months. I think Estrace can be very helpful, and if you're sensitive to it (the propylene glycol can be an irritant), a compounded version can be extremely helpful."

• men...
• August 10, 2018

For Atrophic Vaginitis "This cream has been a miracle. I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago and have been off estrogens for at least 15 years. About five years ago started having all kinds of vaginal discomfort. I think I was also battling a bacterial infection. Tried everything for that too. Finally settled on using boric acid capsules once a week for quite some time and the Estrace three times a week. I used about 1 gram. After several months, finally I was able to stop the boric acid. I also was able to cut my Estrace back to once a week 1 gram. Before using this, I was so sensitive that I would be burning and itching just from wiping with toilet paper. The tissue was so thin it looked shriveled up down there. I noticed I had what appeared to be blood blisters on my labia, which have gone away. The skin has plumped up too and is so much healthier. I would give this a ten except the cost is ridiculous."

• bgk...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 29, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "The last 2 times when I used Estrace cream, I had bad burning and felt like I had a UTI. Out of desperation, I decided to try a vaginal yeast infection cream w/applicator to see if it made a difference. It did, both times! Within hours, the symptoms decreased. By the next day, no further issues. Had no idea others had burning from the Estrace cream until I got on this site. May check out getting it compounded. I wonder why after years of using the Estrace (brand name), did this start all of the sudden. Have the ingredients changed?"

• DeD...
• April 23, 2016

For Atrophic Urethritis "I have been using Estrace cream for 11 years, and it's been working. I use about 1/3 applicator every 5 or 6 days. Suddenly, it stopped working. I don't have a bladder infection, I already went through yeast infection treatment, both Diflucan and vaginal creams, and my vagina still burns. The Estrace cream relieves it, but only for about 6 or 10 hours. I am 70 and not sexually active. I know years ago the urologist said everything looked kind of shriveled up and dry down there. Could the hormone cream just not work anymore? Now, what do I do?"

• amy...
• October 12, 2019

For Atrophic Urethritis "I used this once 3 weeks ago. Immediately had horrible burning and was up all night with what felt like a UTI. Am now on my 3rd antibiotic due to the inflammation and feel like these symptoms will never go away. It may be a Godsend for some, but if you are allergic, it is a nightmare."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I tried 1 gram of Estrace 4 days in a row. I had extreme dryness prior to taking it. It corrected that, however, I experienced itching, burning, and several trips to the bathroom at night to urinate. I am through with it!"

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2011

"I am a 54-year-old postmenopausal woman and have been using Estrace cream 1 mg every night for about a month for vaginal dryness. All of a sudden, I am experiencing itching and burning. I wonder if I have an infection from this cream."

• Cin...
• July 3, 2015

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I started using Estrace two years ago after major perimenopause symptoms. Around this time, my periods stopped, and I did find quite a bit of relief from vaginal and urethral pain and dryness, as well as frequent urination and burning. Have gotten along fairly well with several short flare-ups until recently when I have had a return of my symptoms even though I am still using the Estrace. Any suggestions or experience with this?"

• Hys...
• September 27, 2017

For Atrophic Urethritis "Yesterday was the first time I used Estrace Vaginal Cream. I have experienced burning and throbbing. I will not use it again. My co-pay was $146.73. Wish there would have been samples. I could have saved the money."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2023

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using the generic brand Estrace, 1g twice a week for three and a half years to alleviate the symptoms of vaginal atrophy caused by menopause, including dryness, burning, and itching. Initially, sex was comfortable until my husband's low testosterone and low libido issues caused a significant decrease in our sexual activity. As a result, my vagina has narrowed and shortened due to lack of use, causing painful intercourse, despite continuing the use of Estrace. I plan to increase my Estrace dosage for a few weeks to address these changes and improve the discomfort during sex. It is ironic that my husband's low libido has led to my discomfort, which now irritates him. Technically, it is his fault that we did not engage in sexual activity regularly, leading to these issues."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2023

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using a pea-sized amount of generic Estrace since Sept 2022. I have had burning and inflammation. After visiting four different gynecologists, all of whom kept telling me it can't be the Estrace, I finally found a doctor in the next state over who actually listened. A biopsy showed inflammation from irritant contact dermatitis. Heading to a dermatologist this week, hopefully for patch testing. Now awaiting the arrival of compounded estrogen."

• San...
• March 8, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Had vaginal dryness. I am 65. Tried estradiol cream, it is the worst burning. It feels like a UTI, and I go to the bathroom every 2 or 3 hours. Will never use again."

• Tri...
• October 18, 2017

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I have tried to use it several times in the last few weeks. After each application, I have burning. I am going to quit!!"