Estradiol topical and Vaginal Issues: What Users Say

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2021

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Worst 'medication' I've ever had. Horrific headache, couldn't even get up out of bed safely the day after one and only application, extreme nausea and dizziness, next few days spotting, vaginal pain, burning for the next two weeks until I took some acid regulators. Subsequently have been sleepless, extremely low on energy, cystitis, cold sore - basically everything saying the body's taken a beating. One pessary. Still battling it four weeks later. Never again."

• MoB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 17, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I had painful sex, vaginal bleeding, thrush for years due to a very early hysterectomy. I've been using Vagifem for seven years now and my life has completely turned around. I was first prescribed its use in the UK every time I had vaginal bleeding, but a wonderful gynae in South Africa told me that I should be on small doses for the rest of my life."

• Wes...
• November 7, 2018

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am a post-menopausal physician who began using Vagifem in 2011 after a total hysterectomy. I had absolutely no problems with Vagifem. It helped with my urogenital symptoms, such as dryness and urinary frequency. When Yuvafem came out, I was also changed to it via my mail-in pharmacy. I started experiencing a significant increase in vaginal irritation, vulvar dryness, and urinary frequency. I had been having vaginal discharge the day after I inserted the tablet with increased irritation and itching. I never had any significant discharge or irritation when using Vagifem. My symptoms got so bad that at the end of September I went back on brand-name Vagifem. My symptoms have been gradually improving. Given my experience, and the fact that so many others on this site and elsewhere have had similar issues, I contacted the FDA. I also complained to them regarding the poor packaging. I feel Yuvafem needs further investigation."

• InP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 53 and had a complete hysterectomy 27 years ago and have been taking oral Premarin. Dr. Put me on the Estradiol patch which gave me headaches, so we just stopped all HRT. A few weeks later, I developed a UTI and had extreme vaginal and urethra pain. I was put on Estradiol Cream which irritated all of my skin, so they switched me to Estradiol vaginal tablets. I have been using it for 10 days and I am burning, aching, and it feels like something is stuck in me. I do not like this cream and am wondering if the Premarin cream would work better. I keep wondering if this pain will ever go away. Has anyone had symptoms for over 10 days while using the cream?"

• LDn...
• March 7, 2017

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I was a regular user of Vagifem and was very pleased with the results. It made sex comfortable again. I saw there was a generic available and tried it to try to save some money. This product is terrible. Everything about it is ten notches below Vagifem. You can't separate the foil packages. The applicator is sharp on the end. One of my doses was empty, and I pay $15 each. The pill does not dissolve inside you. When showering the next day, I find the tablet just sitting up there undissolved. My vaginal dryness is back to where it was before beginning Vagifem. I am a 62-year-old woman with an active sex life, my insurance will no longer pay for the brand. I wish they would have more time before releasing. I hate everything about it."

• CMB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am 52 years old, menopausal, and I have been using Estring for about 6 months now and LOVE it. I had severe vaginal dryness and itching. I love sex, but it was painful and I would often bleed during and after. Within 2 weeks of using the Estring, all my symptoms disappeared! Such a huge relief. The ring looks giant when you take it out of the package, and you may worry about making it fit. I had no problems inserting it and couldn’t feel it. I can’t remove it myself, so I have to enlist the help of my husband. It is worth every penny. If you are on the fence - TRY IT."

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Best decision I ever made. I had lost feelings in my breasts and was so dry down there I wanted to cry. Was in vaginal pain every day. Dr. said Estring would take at least 2 weeks to begin working. For me it began working within 3 days. I feel like a new woman."

• bic...
• October 7, 2011

Estradiol topical for Hypoestrogenism "I am a 50-year-old woman who started menopause around 37. I've been prescribed this cream and did well on it, but if I stop taking it, I tend to go back to having vaginal dryness. My main concern is that I've never been bigger than a size 8 and now I can hardly fit into a 10. I think it's caused weight gain and if I stop taking it, the weight does not go away. Has anyone else experienced this?"

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

Estradiol topical 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."

• Clj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Yuvafem is horrible. I was on Vagifem, but because of cost, I can’t afford Vagifem, but I won’t be using Yuvafem either. My symptoms of vaginal dryness and irritation came back full force using Yuvafem."

• Cin...
• July 3, 2015

Estradiol topical 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?"

• Lov...
• December 26, 2015

Estradiol topical 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."

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

Estradiol topical 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."

• MNG...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2017

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I had been using Vagifem for over 10 years. It definitely helped my vag atrophy symptoms as well as improved minor urine leakage issues. Six weeks ago, I was switched to Yuvafem. My first observation was with the packaging - the perforations between the individual units were nearly impossible to separate, and when I did, the foil cover of the adjacent units would break open. I use scissors now to cut them apart. Secondly, after about 4 weeks, I've noticed that vaginal irritation and urine leakage symptoms are returning. I'll use up my present 90-day supply and see how things go, but if symptoms worsen any more, I will ask my doc for a DAW (Dispense As Written) Vagifem prescription. I'll be willing to pay the significantly larger co-pay."

• Bml...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After using this medication for only 2 weeks, I called my doctor because of extremely severe vaginal burning. Even after modifying the treatment days, symptoms continued. I discontinued this TERRIBLE medicine, and all the discomfort, burning pain disappeared. So, for this reason, I will not use this drug."

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

Estradiol topical 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!"

• Tek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2017

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I too was on Vagifem for about 1 1/2 years when my insurance switched me to Yuvafem. After 2 months, I was getting a lot of hot flashes, and the vaginal dryness started to come back. I did appeal to my insurance company, and they just approved for me to get the Vagifem back instead. I have a feeling my copay will go from $30 to $50, but it's worth it to get results. I had no issues with insertion or anything like that, but do believe either the pill dissolved too quickly or too slowly, and that is why I was having my symptoms return."

• BLR...
• February 20, 2020

For Atrophic Urethritis "I had vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, burning, urinary tract infections. My Dr. put me on estradiol cream twice a week, 1 mg. It's been almost 1 month, the burning has stopped, night sweats have improved a lot, but the urethra sometimes bothers me, but not too bad. Overall, it's working okay. My insurance would not pay for Premarin cream but would pay for estradiol cream, so thank goodness for that."

• Put...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I had fallopian tube cancer, and after a hysterectomy, chemo, and radiation, had terrible vaginal burning. Yuvafem seems to help, but the applicator upon insertion causes cuts and bleeding (which in my case causes quite a scare). My gynecological oncologist told me to insert it by hand. This is an extremely expensive drug. Couldn't it be made without the applicator to cut costs for those of us who cannot use the applicator, as long as the instructions included proper hygiene?"

• But...
• February 23, 2016

For Atrophic Urethritis "I went straight to a specialist, a urologist, because I was having vaginal discomfort that I could not really explain or understand. I am not in menopause yet; I still have my period; however, I was feeling like I had a UTI, but I didn't have a UTI. The doctor asked what prescriptions I'm taking, and when I told him Prozac, he told me that is one of the side effects of Prozac. He warned me of the high cost, unless I went to a specific pharmacy where it cost about $20-$25. I have to drive 60 miles to get it, but it saves me about $175, so I don't mind the drive. I haven't been on it long, so I'm not sure how well the cream is going to work."

• Joy...
• February 19, 2016

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Urethritis "Awful leg pain, vaginal burning like on fire, back pain, pounding heart, dry cough, stomach pain, and diarrhea"

• Hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After using Yuvafem, I began feeling vaginal burning after urinating all the time and noticing hair loss, and feeling like I had a UTI. Very uncomfortable situation."