Estring and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Lov...
• December 26, 2015

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I've been postmenopausal for nearly 7 years. Past the hot flash and insomnia stage. My issue was primarily vaginal dryness and painful intercourse because the vaginal tissue had lost elasticity. I have used estrogen cream and Vagifem. Both worked fine for a while, but gradually became less effective. My doctor switched me to the Estring, and I love it. I'm a little unsure about whether I inserted it correctly because my husband could feel it. Also, I had a pelvic ultrasound for an unrelated issue, and the Estring obstructed the tech's view. I reached down and popped the thing out and put it back when she was done - haha. Now, I do that for relations with my husband too. I will follow up with doc about proper placement."

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

For Atrophic Vaginitis "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. The 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 my 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. I've 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 and a bit tricky to get in properly, but really not all that difficult."

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

For Atrophic Vaginitis "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!"

• Mar...
• January 23, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I'm 66 and had a total hysterectomy 8 years ago due to vaginal collapse. In recent years, the Gore-Tex 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 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 spent $300 on 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."

• Bla...
• September 13, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Still painful intercourse. Good for libido."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Not good for me: back cramps and headache, and it always made me sleepy, and I was still dry and had pain when having sex, so I stopped using it."