Estrogen cream? Ladies only !

[[bl...]]

My doctor has prescribed estrogen cream to be used vaginally for post menopausal issues. I'm just a bit worried about how this might affect my WD symptoms. I see that dizziness can be a side effect and that scares me since that is one of my worst symptoms. Has anyone had any experience with this cream and if so, can you tell me if you experienced any effects from using it? Thanks!

[[Gr...]]

Estrogen causes anxiety.  I would be careful to take anything for menopause.  I've heard that taking hormones for menopause just makes everything worse  when you do go off the hormones.  Worse than they would have been, if you just left it alone.

[[wa...]]

I definitely would listen to those who speak from experience.  I am sitting on a prescription of estrogen cream, too, Blackeyed.  It's like a dried out desert down there and I think it might help that and possibly a bladder inflammation.  I'll give it a try if you do.  I'm post menopause almost 4 years.  WBB

[[Re...]]

Have you checked out the menopause support group? http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=101977.0

I'm perimenopausal and take birth control pills to keep hormones under control. It has worked great for me. I've noticed that many women who make changes to their hormones during wd go through an adjustment period. It seems like starting out small is a good idea and if it revs symptoms it will be noticeable right away and you can stop.

[[bl...]]

Actually, I was first prescribed Xanax for insomnia during menopause so that's how I got into this mess! 

[[Re...]]

Actually, I was first prescribed Xanax for insomnia during menopause so that's how I got into this mess!

 

I was also prescribed psych meds and benzos to treat hormonal imbalance. It blows my mind!

[[Su...]]

Hi,

Haven't taken a look at the menopause thread but wanted to add:  Most docs won't prescribe estrogen without some sort of progesterone to balance out the hormones.. Progesterone binds to GABA sites and threw me into instant c/t.  (I didn't take it for long! )

 

Topical estrogen might be less troublesome, but do ask your prescriber about the estrogen/progesterone mix.

(I do dab on about 2% of a regular dose of estrodial (sp?) gel daily as it helps with my insomnia..... again a very very low amount compared to what is commonly prescribed.....)

Just my 2 cents..

SS

 

[[Ja...]]

I was prescribed Estrace cream after surgically induced menopause about 15 years ago, along with low dose Estradiol, (an oral estrogen).  (It was not typical to prescribe progesterone for my type of menopause.)

 

I can say that these two medications were life balancing for me and I dread the day that my ob/gyn says that I need to stop.  (Fortunately, she says that I may stay on them for a very long time, especially since I was so young when I had my surgery.  If I'm remembering correctly, some studies show cardiac and bone health benefits for my demographic.)

 

From a comfort standpoint, it's way better than over-the-counter lubricants (or products sold as such.)

 

Additionally, I am prone to UTI's, which rapidly develop into full-blown kidney infections if they're not quickly identified.  My urologist said that estrogen creams have been shown to reduce UTI's in menopausal women.  I've noticed that I have had dramatically fewer UTI's since my surgery.  I used to get them monthly - now it's only once or twice a year.  (And I've only been hospitalized twice in the last five years for kidney infections.)  My urologist feels that the topical estrogen has a protective effect and is most likely why I don't get as many bladder infections as I used to.

 

Anyway, I think that it's definitely worth talking about with your doctor, especially if you are concerned, but don't dismiss it outright.  Maybe try it, as others have suggested, in small amounts, and pay attention to how it's affecting you.

[[bl...]]

Thanks everyone for your input!  I really appreciate all of the replies and advice!  I think I'm going to cautiously give it a try and see what happens.

[[me...]]

I tried the estrogen suppositories (Vagifem) for many of the same reasons listed already. Because they are so bloody expensive, and I am so very sensitive to hormones, I only used a half a pill.

 

These vaginal applications are not supposed to be systemic, they should only affect the immediate area of application. I say that is BS. Within a couple hours, I got a very upset intestinal tract, then other unpleasant effects such as insomnia and a UTI. I repeated this at a couple of other times to make sure it wasn't something else, with the same results each time.

 

I would say it is worth a shot if you are suffering, but don't be surprised if you do have poor results.

[[Ge...]]

I am 55 and I had a total hysterectomy when I was 42.  I was on just estrogen for a long time with no problems.    I was on low dose estrogen, progesterone and nature thyroid when I started my benzo taper.  I found that benzo withdrawl really disrupted these hormones and I was unable to get back to feeling normal even after updosing and stabilizing on valium.   

 

I have since found a doctor who is an HRT expert.  He doubled my estrogen and progesterone and added testosterone and I am doing much better.  (also I still take the nature thyroid)

 

I dont have any fear of taking these hormones even with breast cancer in the family.  I am more fearful of living a long life feeling like a little old lady.. anyway that's my experience and my two cents.

 

 

[[bl...]]

Yes, that's what my doctor told me.  He said that a topically applied cream is not systemic but will only affect the area where it's applied. Sounds good but then why is dizziness one of the side effects listed?  It would be great if it helped but I've been so careful about not taking anything during WD; only Tylenol when head symptoms get too unbearable. I'm afraid it will make my dizziness worse. I'm thinking I'll probably give it a try but I haven't done it yet.