Estring for Atrophic Vaginitis User Reviews (Page 2)

• gumbo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 9, 2018

"I had been taking Premarin for many years which helped with monthly migraines due to hormone fluctuations. I kept taking it after a partial hysterectomy but noticed the migraines were back. Finally listened to my Dr. and went off but the speed and intensity of menopausal symptoms hit me like a brick wall. Main problem was extremely painful intercourse. Tried water based lubrication and found it useless. Tried creams but so messy! Did some research and decided to ask GYN about Estring. Didn't realize how expensive it was but after reading comments about other options, maybe it isn't out of the ordinary for treatment of this problem. Been on Estring for 2 years now which has helped but I still have a fair amount of pain on penetration even with extra lubrication. I remove the ring for sex and agree that it is stiff & a bit tricky to get in properly but really not all that difficult."

• Gano
• August 23, 2018

"I’m getting ready to go back to using the Estring after a 7 year hiatus for personal reasons. It worked great first time around. The cost now is ridiculous. And, it’s criminal that insurance doesn’t cover it. However, I’m getting mine from outside this country for $100 which isn’t bad."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2009

"Estring is great. I have previously tried Premarin and Estrace cream and Vagifem tablets without success. Estring is not messy and you don't even have to think about it. It provides the necessary hormones to relieve the other symptoms without other issues."

• Kat
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2020

"Just took it out due to odd back pain. Noticed when I first put it in, it brought back the hot flashes and then when it wore off after 3 months, the hot flashes showed back up with the declining estrogen levels. Some weight gain. Cost is absurd. With coupon it was over $400. I don’t even want to think about a cost per use as in how many more times did I have sex with my husband while it was in. Didn’t help at all with my sex drive. Removing it took multiple attempts. Going to take a break from it now. Didn’t notice a big difference. Still needed artificial lubrication with sex."

• CB76
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2020

"I like the idea of estrogen to help keep my skin hair and lady bits young. But lately I had a discharge and docs at walk in clinics say my urine is fine. They acted as if I’m imagining a discharge and odor. Then I thought I should check if they are side effects of the Estring. They are. I removed it and will go with the vitamins I am taking for skin hair and joints. Seems safer for sure. No one wants discharge and odor. Not worth any touted benefits."

• janlan
• September 2, 2017

"I have been post menopausal x 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."

• Dog...
• February 7, 2016

"The estring worked very well for vaginal atrophy and dryness. Intercourse was no longer painful. However, I had it for three months and gained 7 lbs. during that time, (with no other changes to my diet or exercise regime), almost all of it showing up in my belly! I took it out for a few days while waiting to refill the prescription and immediately lost 2 lbs. As soon as I put the new one in, I re-gained the 2 lbs. in a matter of a few days. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep using it. I love the convenience, as I had tried Estrace cream and found it messy and a hassle to remember to use it, and the estring definitely alleviated my symptoms, but I can't stand the weight gain."

• JAH
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 18, 2019

"My PCP prescribed Estring 11 years ago for atrophic vaginitis and atrophic urethritis after determining that I did not have an infection. The treatment worked beautifully for 10 years. In the beginning, the cost was minimal ($15) because of insurance. I had no trouble using it (inserting or removing) and all my symptoms disappeared. After 10 years, I wondered if I should stop using it, and see if I still needed it. And I do need something because symptoms have returned. But I have not used Estring for about 9 months. When I asked for a new Rx, my clinic told me that insurance would not pay for an Estring until I had done a "trial" with some kind of creme. An Estring now costs $106 with insurance! I will try the creme and see how that goes."

• Irela...
• July 6, 2009

"I had no problem inserting the ring and I was able to get it in far enough that I don't even know it's there. So far it's been in for two weeks and the only side effect I've noticed is an occasional lower backache which has not been bad at all. If this truly works I will be one happy camper. So will my husband."

• Jleo
• January 28, 2017

"I've been using Estring for 10 years without any side effects whatsoever. Just recently have gained 10 lbs and can't figure out why. Also cannot get it off. Perhaps it's time to stop the treatment and see what happens. My question if anyone can share, once stopped, does the sweating and other symptoms return? I've just turned 60 and feel great. Don't want to have the unwanted effects. But totally open to stopping the Estring if it's dangerous to continue after all these years. My most recent dr said it's ok to stay on it even though mother and sister have had breast cancer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2015

"I stopped using Estring after the first 3 month ring. I gained 10 lbs during those 3 months. My hot flashes returned and I still had pain during intercourse. I regret ever trying it. I wish I had my $150.00 back!"

• Dda
• March 18, 2019

"I have had side effects of cramping, lower abdominal tenderness, bloating. Some dryness relief but not all. Slight headache. Not the best after 3rd week I will give it at least 6 weeks then I'm done. Al ittle disappointed since I've tried everything and can't afford lazer treatment."

• Working...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2013

"I've had phenomenal experience with the Estring. My boyfriend refills the prescription, and he remembers when it is time to change it. I do worry about the belly fat, I did not know it was related to the Estring. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2016

"Horrible. I would not recommend this to my enemy. I went through menopause 7 years before using this and all the while I stayed at a steady weight, no problems with weight gain. I used Estring for 3 months and gained 10 pounds. I think it did something to my hormones. Gaining weight wasn't the reason I stopped using it. I could not bear the extreme breast pain and and persistent abdominal cramps. I will never use anything like this again."

• AAW
• March 23, 2017

"I have been using it for almost 10 years - was definitely not this expensive when I started. My first cost was only $75, then it went to $100 and my doctor gave me one of the manufacturers coupons. I did only pay $15 for each ring until last year when I needed a new prescription. The new coupon has a max. discount amount of $100 and the product is almost $400. I am thinking of stopping - it seems the more popular it got the more expensive it got. I don't like the weight gain but enjoying sex with my husband is a way better trade off. I may just to back to the hassle of the cream."

• Fed...
• January 26, 2016

"Initially I had stomach pains, like period pains, then I got really bad PMT. When my husband asked if I wanted a cup of tea and my reaction was an extremely agressive 'why' I realised it was time to take out the ring. I thought I might be able to do a week on and a few days off but I got very sore within 36 hours of re insertion. I also put on weight which my osteopath says I can't afford to carry. I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago and now have vaginal atrophy, there seems no other treatment but I would not go back to this ever."

• Mammy...
• December 2, 2015

"Can't really rate Estring properly since my total time using it was about three minutes. It felt awful. Removed it and re-inserted it. Still awful. Looked at pictures . Had it in correctly but to no avail. No way would my husband not feel it. I could feel it just walking about. I am a petite woman so maybe that is a factor. Some type of applicator would be helpful. Rinsed it off and put it away. Maybe I'll try again but I doubt it."

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

"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 under-doing 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!"

• BeeCa...
• June 16, 2016

"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."

• Juby
• December 3, 2017

"Used to help with painful intercourse but no longer helps. I have burning stinging sensation that has gotten worse. Only problem is when I take out the estring, about 2 weeks later itching and irritation is back. Is this how menopausal women feel without any help? I do not want to keep using this until I get a 2nd opinion that if its safe for long term use. I definitely helps a little. I've been using it for maybe 2 or 3 years."

• Ophel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2017

"I have suffered from vaginal/vulva pain since menopause started about 5 years ago. I've been treated by various doctors for vulvodynia/interstitial cystitis but my current doctor suggested the Estring because I have obvious atrophy symptoms that could account for a lot of my symptoms. Sadly this product just made my vaginal/bladder issues worse - pressure, irritation and discharge. I waited 3 weeks but finally removed it myself. Hoping I'll start feeling better soon. I wasted $279 to feel even worse. They should consider a redesign with a softer and more comfortable ring and bioidentical estrogen to reduce health risks. I've seen a lot of negative reactions online to this."

• MrsWil
• September 16, 2013

"It's been working great but been having rapid heart rate on occasions with some migraine. Wondering could it be from the Estring ?? been on it for a few weeks and now I will inform my doctor may be it doesn't work well with my other medication I'm on. Hope it just my body need to adjust to it. It serve it purpose very well."

• Judy...
• April 8, 2017

"Been using the estring for a few years and I don't like it at all. Putting it in is difficult and taking it out is worse. I used a plastic crochet hook to remove it. I noticed a foul smell from my vagina when I peed and when slept in the was nude. Finally pulled out the estring with the crochet hook for the last time. The odor was gone. I will probably use Premarin."

• anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2015

"I just removed the ring after 3 weeks because after two weeks I started having hot flashes, low back pain and vaginal discharge. It has been 3 days now and the symptoms are abating. I did not like the bloat I was feeling and will go back to the Estrace cream, which is not as convenient but with which I did not have side effects."

• Martie
• January 23, 2021

"I’m 66 and had a total hysterectomy 8 years ago due to vaginal collapse. In recent years the Goretex sutures at the top of my vagina have been poking out; I can feel a couple of prickly points. Intercourse became painful, especially deep thrusting and I feel it’s due to a shorter vagina. My GYN thinks is it’s more due to thinning of the vaginal walls—although it’s not the walls that hurt; it’s at the top, as if my husband is ramming into a brick wall. He doesn’t feel any difference. I got my estring this week. Impossible to insert it so it doesn’t keep my vagina open which feels like it did when my cervix used to be way down there prior to surgery. I was in tears trying to push it up and because I’d just spend $300 for something I can tell won’t work. I’m also on an estrogen cream—a compound—which I’ve been on before but couldn’t really tell if it worked."