Estradiol topical and Cramps: What Users Say

• cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2020

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I have been using Imvexxy for 6 months. I use the 10mcg once per week. I would be fine using the 4 mcg twice per week, but it is easier to use the 10 mcg once per week. One minor side effect I noticed is that sometimes I get slight pelvic cramping a couple of hours after I insert it. It usually does not last more than a few minutes. Other than that, so far it is working for me. I am finally able to resume intercourse with no issues. Everything feels like it was before menopause. I spent a lot of money on the Mona Lisa touch prior to using Imvexxy and it did not work at all."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2019

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I took Imvexxy for four months. It is an easy pill to pop in with little mess. However, I think the pill should be white because the pink discharge that you get from the pill could be confused with spotting. Anyway, the medicine worked right away for my pain with sex. However, I could not tolerate the pelvic cramping, breast tenderness, and hair shedding. I had to go off of it because I was too uncomfortable with these side effects. I am now on Estrace cream, and so far, no bad side effects, but the only downfall is that it is messy. Ugh. Nothing is ever a perfect fit :)"

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I just started my 3rd month of using the 10 mcg insert of Imvexxy. The dryness has been completely reversed, which in turn stopped my chronic BV. Yay!! However, I've been feeling nauseous and crampy with a mild headache for the past 6 weeks. I also seem to be experiencing more hot flashes and night sweats. I don't want to believe it's the Imvexxy causing this and the low back pain, but since nothing else has changed, and I take no other medications, I can only assume it is the Imvexxy. I am almost 60 yrs old and have been in menopause for 8 yrs or so. I keep thinking these symptoms will go away, but they actually may be worsening. I'll likely finish using the rest of this prescription but not renew it."

• Mar...
• December 9, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Have been using Vagifem pessaries for 12 days. Experienced headaches initially, but these seem to have disappeared. I now have severe lower back pain, like period pain, which I haven’t had since my periods stopped 6 years ago. The pain is so severe I cannot bend down or lower my body. I also seem to have flu-like symptoms and am incredibly thirsty. I bought this product as I cannot have sex without great discomfort and wanted to try it out. I have informed my GP, as I wanted to be prescribed these pessaries if the outcome was good. On the plus side, my vagina is plumper and becoming moist, so lubrication is a lot better, but unfortunately, the lower back pain is intolerable. I think I may be extremely sensitive to these pessaries even though they are a low dose, 10 mcg. I will no longer continue using Vagifem as I feel very debilitated. I wish there were some kind of alternative, one that doesn’t cause severe lower back and period pain."

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

Estradiol topical 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."

• mic...
• June 13, 2016

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "My doctor prescribed 10 mcg Vagifem, then another doctor, after hearing my complaints of leg cramps and other vague problems, told me to stop using it. But there is nothing out there that works for me. Premarin cream is not for me, Combipatch I gave up long ago, so 10 mcg Vagifem seems to be my only option. All the other non-hormone lubrications do not work. So, if you are taking it, watch closely for side effects. 10 mcg is the lowest dosage, 25 mcg is not allowed by the FDA in the USA."

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

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I have taken Imvexxy for about five months. I took the 4 mcg, and it helped. I probably should have taken the 10 mcg for painful sex. However, I had to stop using it-pelvic cramping, breast tenderness, but the main thing that made me stop was my hair falling out. I am sad because it was an easy fix for a while."

• Sba...
• July 8, 2018

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was on this for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. I inserted it on Wednesday but had to remove it by Sunday because it was causing back pain and cramping. I also had a “full” feeling in my vagina, and I could feel the ring in there. I was hopeful for this, and I like the convenience. But it’s too rigid, hard, and uncomfortable. I’ve tried the vag creams, and they are so messy. So not sure what to do now. The side effects are just not worth it."

• Fel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I just started using Imvexxy, and although initially it felt like it was helping, things have taken a turn for the worse. I have mild cramping, itching, burning, and increased urination with burning. Got checked for UTI, and none present. The only thing that has changed has been the introduction of Imvexxy. I'm also having stomach issues. Imvexxy is not for me. I had high hopes, but the side effects are intolerable."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2016

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Urethritis "I started using Estrace because of frequent urination with burning and dryness. I started menopause 4 yrs ago. When I use Estrace after 2 days, I have to stop due to bleeding and cramping that lasts for a week. I'm not a fan!"

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

Estradiol topical 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."

• Mar...
• July 15, 2017

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Was using Vagifem for several years and felt great, no side effects. Was sent the generic Yuvafem. Agree about loose tablets and wasting the med as they would fall out of the dispenser. But when I started having side effects such as weight gain, 10 pounds, feet swelling, and cramping, I switched back to Vagifem. Now have to visit gyno to make sure everything is ok."

• MsJ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "This product might work for some, but I found it so uncomfortable I removed it in a few days. I did get cramps and a headache too, but the discomfort was the reason I took it out. Also, the $90 for 3 months with insurance was too much. ($500 without insurance!) I will try something else."

• Dda...
• March 18, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have had side effects of cramping, lower abdominal tenderness, and 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. A little disappointed since I've tried everything and can't afford laser treatment."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2023

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Just read all these reviews after having used this product for about a year and a half. I was on a strong dose at first, and it made me very crampy, so my doctor reduced the dose to 10 mg, which still seems like a lot compared to the reviews that I’ve been reading. I took it half as often as she suggested. It worked. However, I had the worst smell coming from my armpits, and I’ve never been a smelly armpit person, my hair is thinning, which I realize is a side effect according to the reviews, and I had weird sensations in my breast. So I will be discontinuing the use of this product. Good luck, ladies."

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

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "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 persistent abdominal cramps. I will never use anything like this again."

• Mis...
• May 3, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Estrace Vaginal Cream for several years. I am now 73. It helped me tremendously until my insurance no longer would cover the Estrace Vaginal Cream medication. I have been forced to use the Estradiol Vaginal Cream and have horrible side effects from it: extreme cramping, lower abdominal pain, feels like a UTI, and felt absolutely miserable. There is a difference between the Estrace Vaginal Cream and the Estradiol Vaginal Cream. I only had very minimal side effects with Estrace that would go away within a day, however, the Estradiol Vaginal Cream has side effects that linger and make me feel like lying down most of the time, taking Tylenol and applying a heating pad more frequently. I never had to do that before. There is a difference between them. I started the Estradiol Vaginal Cream 2 weeks ago (1/2 gram twice weekly) on Monday and Thursday, the same as I was doing on the Estrace Vaginal Cream. Horrible pain."

• 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."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2020

For Atrophic Urethritis "Less than a week, 6 days - 3 treatments, on this cream and I am seriously constipated. I never get constipated. I also have stomach discomfort with nausea and pain shooting down between my legs, along with calf cramps. If I'm going to feel this way every day, I'd rather have the awful rods open my urethra up again. That's only temporary torture for about 30 minutes. I think it may slowly be trying to work."

• RNC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "My Dr. told me it was a flexible ring that you fold and insert into the vagina. She also told me it's like inserting a tampon and you won't even feel it. So I'm thinking it's the size of a condom rolled up and nice and flexible, and I won't have to be bothered for three months. Simple!!! NO!!! The ring is as thick as my pinky and hard as a rock. I bent the ring, inserted it, and it sprung open. I had to push this giant hard ring into my vagina. I stood up, I felt cramps in my stomach immediately. I feel the ring in there, and when I bend down, the cramps are worse. I just inserted it today, so I'm hoping it will soften up in time, if I can hold out that long. I'm going back to my OB/GYN and getting either oral or the pill insert."

• Kit...
• April 1, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Started using Imvexxy 3 weeks ago. Cramps, headaches, and still encountering painful intercourse. I am 51... looking for relief... Insertion is a bit messy. I have stopped using as of yesterday..."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After inserting the Imvexxy capsule, I have severe abdominal cramping. Removed the capsule after 2 hours. Waited 3 days and tried again with the same results. Could not use."