Estradiol topical and Pain: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• His...
• November 15, 2015

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was experiencing very painful intercourse with tearing. I have used this medication exactly 3 times. It has improved sex 99% already. Some pain on insertion, but none during intercourse for the first time in years! I have no doubt it will get better as my body's estrogen levels improve. So thankful. I am 55 years old."

• Ms ...
• March 25, 2019

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I LOVE this thing! That was not the case the first week, I really considered removing it because it was very uncomfortable. I hung in there, and by the 2nd week, I couldn't even feel it. All of my horrible symptoms of estrogen deficiency were gone by week two. No more pain, constant urination urge, and generally feeling awful. I feel like my normal self again. And sex with my husband is no longer miserable! Yes, I have concerns about all the warnings on the packaging and the website, but I just needed to have some relief, and this has provided it. My female gyno highly recommends it for me, and I trust her. My co-pay with the coupon was only $20.00."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I'm a 41-year-old woman who went into early menopause two years ago. Vaginal dryness and all the other wonderful symptoms of menopause are not something that I would like to deal with at my age, but sometimes we can't control. So, my doctor prescribed Estrace, and I use 1mg 2x a week. I was told that it would take about 6-8 weeks before seeing a difference. At the end of that time frame, I saw only a slight difference in vaginal dryness but many side effects. I had headaches, dizziness, bloating, and calf pain."

• Pat...
• October 25, 2016

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "This past February, I literally thought my insides were being ripped out. I expected to see them lying on the floor after sex one Monday afternoon. I was throbbing and hurting the rest of the evening and into the morning. The next day, I called my GYN and begged to be seen. She diagnosed me with this and several rips. She gave me an Estrace cream sample and a prescription along with one for the rips. I do not have medical insurance. I healed the rips with coconut oil and started the cream, 1 oz, 2 times a week. She says it is not absorbed. Well, all I know is that my hot flashes have lessened, sex is not painful, and if I don't use it like I'm supposed to, all that changes! I'm blessed to have friends in the medical field that can keep me supplied with samples."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2016

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have suffered with endometriosis since I was 16 years of age. Needless to say, they did a full hysterectomy at 34 years of age, and I still suffered painful sex after having my hormone shots each month. I was still having pain. My doctor prescribed this cream, and so far, so good. Hopefully, it continues to help me. This is embarrassing to women, especially at this age."

• Avr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2018

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Vagifem for 4 years, beginning when I was 68 years old. It was highly effective. I no longer had vaginal dryness. Sexual intercourse was pain and irritation-free. About 4 months ago, my insurance company stopped covering this drug. I was switched to Yuvafem. I agree with others that the packaging is much inferior to Vagifem’s. I have the same problem opening, etc. But I could adjust to the inconvenience. However, I am going back on Vagifem because of how ineffective Yuvafem is. My labia and vagina are very dry again. Sexual intercourse is very painful. It is just like before I went on Vagifem. I feel Yuvafem is a waste of my money and has caused me pain and discomfort while promising to provide the same results as Vagifem. I plan to ask my physician to be my advocate with my insurance company about covering Vagifem again."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2018

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Vagifem worked fine for years. Then insurance started sending Teva, which was horrible. The applicator didn't work right, and it was not effective, leaving me sore. Then insurance sent Uvafem. Applicators were better, but the medicine was not helping. In fact, everything was worse. I was sore all the time. Just recently, my doctor prescribed brand only (Vagifem), but the insurance wouldn't release it until I used up the other. I argued with them, and my doctor wouldn't get involved, saying they had no ability to overrule the insurance company. Why does the insurance control our health? Shouldn't the doctor's change in prescription be enough? Finally, a kindly pharmacist intervened and got me a prescription for Vagifem. I was so desperate I was willing to pay full price, but he was able to get it on my insurance. So glad to hear I am not alone, but wondering how we can get this changed. Insurance companies should not rule our health."

• jjg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2015

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "The Estring was my answer to vaginal dryness and extremely painful intercourse. And I wasn't even in menopause yet. I also had vulvodynia causing extreme burning and pain. I had tried the cream, Estrace, but could never keep it up and didn't want to deal with it. Finally, my doctor recommended the Estring. After 2 or 3 weeks, I was feeling completely normal again. I've been using this for almost 9 months now, and I no longer have any pain, and the vulvodynia seems to be gone. It's a miracle. I can actually have pain-free sex once again."

• 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."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2023

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was prescribed Vagifem vaginal inserts as I have severe vaginal atrophy. This medication is extremely painful to insert 8-10 cm into the vagina of a woman who has a dry and shrunken vagina, even if copious quantities of lubricant are used. It has had absolutely no positive effects on my symptoms, and I am still getting up to pee several times a night. What a disappointing waste of money."

• Cec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2021

Estrace Vaginal Cream (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "My doctor prescribed a low dosage of Estrace Cream twice a week for frequent UTIs. Right off, I got severe itching but gave it time to go away, then got breast tenderness and pelvic pain. Been on it for almost 3 months. I haven't had a UTI, however, what side effects I have-not to mention the cost. Going to quit using it. I will figure a way to control the UTIs. Not worth dealing with the side effects."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Urethritis "47 years old. Prescribed by gynecologist. 1 month of being in a nightmare. Severe vaginal swelling, itchiness, burning, pain, and thrush-like symptoms without discharge but severe pain. My vagina since taking this medication feels like an overripe, rotten, juicy tomato. I also have severe water retention and swelling in my lower body. Just waiting until it's out of my system."

• jan...
• September 2, 2017

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been postmenopausal for 10 years due to my ovaries being removed. When I first put the ring in, it was very painful. (Why is it so large and relatively inflexible?!) I went to sleep, and by morning, it was much better. It must have moved up to a place that had more room nearer the top of my vaginal cavity. I couldn't feel it anymore. I can't say I really noticed much of a difference, though, after 3 months. The worst part was that I couldn't get it out. It was up so far that I could feel the top of it with my longest finger, but I couldn't hook it. I had to go to the doctor to have it removed, and that was very uncomfortable. It was not good for me at all. Maybe better for women who are just entering menopause."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2023

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I took Vagifem for several years before Yuvafem was released. The Vagifem significantly improved my dryness issues. I then switched to Yuvafem and, in less than two months, I developed swelling in my vaginal wall. The swelling caused constant pressure on my bladder, constant pain, and intermittent incontinence. It took nearly two months to resolve. I will never use this medication again! I am currently searching for a Medicare Part D plan, as I am nearing 65, and have been very disappointed to discover that Medicare does not cover Vagifem. I am also disappointed to see that some Part D plans only cover the Yuvafem generic option. I tried the other generic option and found it to be more irritating than Vagifem but not the nightmare that was Yuvafem."

• rle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2019

Yuvafem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I also have problems with separating and opening the applicator. The applicator cuts me each time and causes pain for a few days after. I plan to try using a different applicator or ask my Dr. to switch me to Vagifem."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Please say that Vagifem works? My vagina is so sore, and it throbs like mad! Plus, I feel terrible. I’m on antibiotics at the moment. I hope when the antibiotics finish, that I feel better. I hope all you girls don’t get these burning throbs! Soooooo bad, please help."

• Bee...
• June 16, 2016

Estring (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been suffering, and nothing else has worked. So I tried this, and initially no pain, but then it became so painful I had to remove it immediately. I will NOT be using this again. It caused me to have to urinate a LOT and a lot of pressure. Don't waste your money or time."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2021

Vagifem (estradiol) for Atrophic Vaginitis "Prescribed this for vaginal atrophy and UTIs related to sex. After much hesitation, I tried this, and within a week, the vaginal irritation after sex stopped. A miracle, however, I did start to get pelvic pain, and after 8 weeks, started with irritation in my urethra. I'm taking a break from it."

• ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2022

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I used the estradiol cream and had chemical burns, severe! I had to discontinue the cream. Waited two weeks to heal. Started a new RX, Dr. RX estradiol tablets, and on day 3 my insides are burning on fire, chemical burns. I am in pain and so disappointed. Cost through health RX $100.00! I used a pea-sized amount of cream and a 10 mg tablet. The tablet burns are streaks in the vagina and cervix on the uterus. The pain is unbearable."

• 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."

• Mim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2018

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Dr. prescribed Premarin (conjugated estrogens) cream. Insurance denied, ended up with estradiol. One pea-sized external application and I had a heavy-headed feeling and dizzy and intense vulva burning!!! Tried to wash it off and felt like broken glass there!! Leg pain!! Dr. says very unusual reaction. Feeling defeated!! Why????"

• 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."

• 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."