Estradiol topical and Dryness: What Users Say

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

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) 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!!!!"

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been using Vagifem for a few months now & definitely took several weeks for my symptoms to calm down. Before using this, my entire vaginal area had become dry, hypersensitive & sore, and sex was so painful. Vagifem has restored lubrication & I feel like me again, so happy with results. Also, I have had no hot flashes since I started taking it & these were happening multiple times a night. I also have not had a UTI since & have been having them every couple of months most of my adult life."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

Imvexxy (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I can't believe how quickly this worked for me. I am using the 10mcg, and I noticed a big difference after one use. I never realized how bad my situation was until I realized I was moist and comfortable down there the morning after the first dose. (Sorry if that is TMI!) I was having terrible burning, itching, painful intercourse, and a feeling that I always had to urinate. I'm 47 and still menstruating, but my gynecologist recommended this drug. I haven't been using it for very long, but so far so good. I read the full insert and read two books (Estrogen Matters and The Estrogen Window) before deciding to take the plunge. I am still worried about the possibility of hair loss. Some users mentioned that side effect. For the record, I also have RA and secondary Sjogren's Syndrome. I take a lot of immunosuppressant drugs. I hate to add to the medication list, but I was absolutely miserable and getting frequent UTIs from the dryness."

• Cre...
• November 28, 2014

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using Vagifem 10 mcg for 8-9 months, and I just switched to Estrace vaginal cream 1g. Vagifem kept my vagina healthy, but the estrogen doesn't reach the external genital area, which remains dry. With the cream, I'm able to use it in the vagina, but I spread a little extra on the outside."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2021

Imvexxy (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I began Imvexxy hoping it would help with the dryness and itchiness I sometimes feel. I have not been sexually active in years, but the dryness drives me crazy. This has not helped with the dryness, though the itchiness has stopped. Then, I suddenly began to get boils, and more than one. I’ve never had them before. I began to feel rundown and fatigued as well. My eyes began to feel dry as well. I won’t continue using this product. I’ll definitely try something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2018

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have dryness and painful sex. I was so excited to try this, but after three days I had to take it out. It was not uncomfortable, in fact, I couldn’t feel it, but the abdominal cramping was unbearable, and then the back pain, and now on the third day of it out, I have terrible bloating. It is not worth it, and frankly, the pain kept me up at night. I didn’t know it was related to the ring until I took it out."

• Not...
• October 7, 2015

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using 1 mg every night for 12 days and am not sure if I can tolerate my side effect symptoms much longer to see if the cream actually works to diminish extremely painful intercourse due to dryness. I now have very tender breasts, a constant mild headache, and swelling, tenderness, and dryness of the external genitalia almost since the first day that I started using the cream. The only good effect so far is that my libido does seem to be heightened. So now I feel 'sexy' again but can't do anything about it because of all my discomfort! I plan on continuing to use the cream at every third day intervals for 2 more weeks to see if my side effects subside. If I am still miserable, I will stop the medication and look for a non-prescription vaginal moisturizer as my last hope for a continued sex life."

• Lit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2020

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I’ve been using the Estring for at least five years, since menopause. I love it, it works great. If I take a “break” from it thinking I don’t need it anymore, I get dryness and urethral burning. I’ve tried estrogen cream, but it’s so inconvenient having to remember to insert it! With the Estring, I’m good for a whole three months! It’s easy to insert and remove, since I’m comfortable with my intimate parts, you just have to hook a finger and pull! Only downside is that it used to cost $15 with my work insurance, but now with Medicare and Humana it’s $95. But since it lasts three months, it’s really not awful and totally worth it! Go Estring!!"

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 13, 2019

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "1. Tablets fall out of the applicator. Half the time, I can see the tablet rattling around inside the plastic packaging before I even attempt to open it. 2. Packaging is impossible to separate. I have to use scissors. I'm only 52 and don't have arthritis-I can only imagine the struggle older women must have to open the packaging. 3. It doesn't work as well as Vagifem! I've been using it for over a year now and find that my symptoms of dryness, burning, etc., fluctuate from package to package. I never had this problem on Vagifem."

• Cin...
• July 3, 2015

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) 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?"

• Jmc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2017

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Awful product. Was on Vagifem for 25 years, great product. Got switched to Yuvafem when it came out. Within a week I had horrible dryness and itching, vaginal tissue tearing and pain. It's like it's a placebo. Like others, I've asked my doctor to make my prescription brand only for Vagifem at much higher cost since it works. They need to rework Yuvafem so it actually is a working generic version. I emailed the manufacturer... everyone should."

• lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2020

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Urethritis "Used for urethritis (urgency and incontinence) and vaginal dryness. I felt it for the first day or two, but after that, I am not aware it is there. Two weeks before the 90 days are up, I start getting the urgency and getting a little dry and depressed, so I change it before the 90 days are up. It's $100 each ring in Canada, and I get 50% back with insurance. The awful experience of urgency and cost of incontinence products, I would pay double this."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2019

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Can only use brand name Vagifem. Generic does not work at all. Packaging is horrible, and symptoms of burning, itching, dryness, and feeling of a UTI, and constantly having to urinate are what happens when using generic. Had to go back to using Vagifem. Unfortunately, the copay is really high until I meet my deductible. Insurance needs to offer this medication at a more affordable cost."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2017

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago and having a dryness problem, so the doctor prescribed this. After using this for about 6 weeks, I started cramping like I was beginning to start my period again, and my breasts were hurting so bad, just like the old days! I called my doctor and was taken off of it immediately due to previous breast cancer, and she said the estrogen from it gets into the bloodstream."

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

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) 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."

• Cat...
• June 21, 2017

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "My doctor put me on Vagifem in December, and within weeks, I felt great. In April, I got my refill, and it was switched to Yuvafem. By mid-May, all my symptoms were coming back, and I was miserable, constantly felt like I had a UTI, and the dryness and burning were awful. My doctor switched me back to brand name, and I am slowly improving again. Yuvafem did not work for me at all. I agree with the others that the packaging was terrible as well, I had to use scissors to open each one, and then the tablets would fall out because they were not in the applicators."

• Jef...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 8, 2017

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "This product is far inferior to Vagifem. I am so sad insurance companies are forcing us to use this due to expense. Packaging is terrible, and I don't get anywhere near the comfort and relief as from Vagifem. I'm not sure how they differ, but it should be removed from the market or fixed. I've used Vagifem for 8 years due to dryness and feeling like a UTI. I've now had 5 UTIs in a row and feel Yuvafem is part of the problem."

• wes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2017

Yuvafem (estradiol) "I was switched from Vagifem to Yuvafem when this generic came out. The tablet does not dissolve inside, and I have experienced problems, including dryness and discomfort, and recently, a urinary tract infection that I think may be related to the Yuvafem. I am going back to Vagifem. The Yuvafem is NOT the same and should be taken off the market!"

• Sog...
• November 19, 2020

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been prescribed Vagifem 10 for dryness and vaginal itching. I am now on once a week, and I had a good 2 days with no itches. Then on Monday, I did my normal one, and now it's driving me nuts. I really didn't give it a thought that this could be the problem, not the cure. I'm not using it anymore and ringing my GP tomorrow."

• KBA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "So far, so good! I'm 63 and started using Estring as an alternative to either the dryness and severe vaginal irritation, or the headaches and hot flashes I was getting from using Estrace vaginal cream. I felt that the cream always was either overdoing it or underdoing it. With Estring, so far, I feel fantastic! No problem inserting, and I do not feel it. No headache for me, plenty of lubrication, and feeling good!"

• Ret...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2022

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I had to stop taking hormone pills after a small stroke due to unknown high blood pressure. Eventually got so dry that intercourse was very painful. After using 1/2 g daily for a few weeks, it was pleasurable again with no pain. Highly recommend."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Yuvafem for several months, but since my insurance changed and I’m now on Medicare, this affected my prescription, which was switched to estradiol tablets. Both tablets worked fine, and I experienced no more dryness, burning, or pain, but I like the estradiol tablets a little better because I was having some cramping in my calves with Yuvafem but not so much with estradiol. The other benefit to using this tablet is my skin looks more youthful, with more color and vibrance and fewer wrinkles. My hairdresser even noticed, but the downside is I’m experiencing more hair loss. I was having hair loss before I started vaginal estrogen therapy, but it has increased while I’ve been on these tablets. Either I’m going to have to cut back or stop altogether, which I hate because it has helped with everything else, but I don’t want to go bald either."

• Red...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 10, 2018

For Atrophic Vaginitis "While Yuvafem is hardly packaged well (foil tears open and can't separate), which is as bad with Teva, the Teva brand is outright defective. The prong snaps and the tablet doesn't release! At least 2 of the 8 in the package. I didn't bother with the rest. Not to mention the awkward, bulky, cheap applicator itself. Total waste! I prefer Yuvafem to this poorly made product. I also pay a high out-of-pocket deductible, and it's outrageous that generic Yuvafem is now priced to match what I was paying for brand-name Vagifem! What a war in women. Priced like Viagra, but I don't use it for anything but dryness to prevent yeast infection. Never use TEVA. I told my pharmacist to never give me that again."

• Rel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2025

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Having entered full menopause 2 years ago, I’m now 61. I found my vagina/labia was completely dry a year into menopause (it had been getting worse starting the year before). Sex was dry and painful, and required a lubricant, otherwise, the skin was raw and sometimes bled. My gyno recommended the Estring. It started working noticeably by day 3, and 2 weeks in, I felt normal again. The ring looks large out of the package and requires some patience to insert. The first insertion, I could feel it riding on my cervix. I needed to push it further to the top of the uterus - that worked, and I could not feel it. I am now on my 2nd one (they are good for a 3-month window). It is a $60 co-pay, so it works out to $20 a month. I haven’t had any problems with it, and I am very happy so far. I would recommend anyone try it and see if it works as well for them as it has for me (it doesn’t have the hassle or mess of suppositories or creams). I recommended it to a friend of mine as well."

• men...
• September 16, 2009

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Hypoestrogenism "Had trouble with sex, dryness, reduced libido, etc., this cream really helped!"