OT: does anyone here use the Estring (estrogen)?

[bfit]

I hope this thread is allowed because I'm asking about a prescription medication. At any rate, my gynecologist is very enthused about my using a vaginal ring containing estrogen. He claims it will help a lot with postmenopausal vaginal dryness and that there are really no downsides to it. However, when I looked it up on the internet (reputable medical sites only) it looks like there are a lot of common side effects including bloating, nausea, weight gain, etc. plus there is an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer. I'm leaning against using it for these reasons. I figure some dryness is just an inconvenience, but these side effects are worse and potentially serious. Does anyone have any experience?

[upperwside]

You may want to see a hormone specialist .. could be dangerous to increase your estrogen and not be balanced with your testosterone and progesterone. Also synthetic hormones... hmm.. I'd do a lot of research first. Bio identical may be the better route to investigate. Most doctors when they test hormone levels do not know how to correctly balance them.. a second opinion with a endrinconologist (I 'm not sure of the correct spelling) may be the best bet. Good luck..

[BunnyHop]

I figure some dryness is just an inconvenience

I'm not sure the dryness you notice is necessarily the primary issue. (Dryness can affect your entire body, and your overall health, it isn't about just your girly bits. Eyes, skin, mouth/teeth, digestion, etc.)

I think you should get a more specific explanation from your doctor(s) about the reasons they think this product would be of benefit in your specific situation. Get a second or third opinion from actual doctors who specialize in this kind of work.

(My first OB/GYN had very little knowledge of the hows/whys and whatevers of hormone levels/treatments, which is the main reason I went through the hassle of switching doctors. Just because they have an MD, and specialize in OB/GYN is no guarantee they have any particular skill treating women's hormone issues.)

Yeah, it's possible your current doc is just pushing this product, but on the other hand, it might be just what you need in your specific situation.


I guess my primary concern about getting medical advice online is that it's so easy to wind up with a bunch of pseudoscience, hysteria and sloppy thinking instead of the meaningful information you really need.

[Karen Beckwith]

Originally Posted by bfit

I hope this thread is allowed because I'm asking about a prescription medication. At any rate, my gynecologist is very enthused about my using a vaginal ring containing estrogen. He claims it will help a lot with postmenopausal vaginal dryness and that there are really no downsides to it. However, when I looked it up on the internet (reputable medical sites only) it looks like there are a lot of common side effects including bloating, nausea, weight gain, etc. plus there is an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer. I'm leaning against using it for these reasons. I figure some dryness is just an inconvenience, but these side effects are worse and potentially serious. Does anyone have any experience?

I have experience getting breast cancer because I was on hormone replacement therapy for too long. It wasn't the exact thing your doctor recommended, but it was estrogen and progesterin (sp?). There are other ways to help with vaginal dryness. The side effects are definitely not worth it.

[Joni O]

I agree with seeing a hormone specialist. Also, if the results of the Women's Health Initiative are scaring you, keep in mind that the test subjects were all older and hadn't been on the hormones from the younger, ideal age - as my hormone specialist has explained to me. Have your hormone levels checked before adding estrogen. It's the proper estrogen/progesterone balance that's critical to alleviation of symptoms and there's a difference between bio-identical (which I take) and synthetic hormones.

[fagiles]

Hi Bfit,

My gynecologist prescribed it a month ago but just started using it a week ago. These types of estrogen are totally different than whole body hormones. They are considered local hormones. I have tried Vagifem which I liked and Vesicare which did not work for me. I have had absolutely no side effects. I will PM you other details that I can't share here. My doctor said it should also help with overactive bladder and I truly hope so

Felecia

[rosepetals]

From their website. I don't use estrogens. It simply is not worth the risk of increased cancer, increased stroke, increased heart disease, and dementia. Those are pretty high risks.

"Using estrogen alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using ESTRING. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause.

Do not use estrogens, with or without progestins, to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia (decline in brain function).

Using estrogen alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots.

Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age.

[rosepetals]

Also from their site.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Estrogens?

Side effects are grouped by how serious they are and how often they happen when you are treated.
Serious but less common side effects include:

Breast cancer
Cancer of the uterus
Stroke
Heart attack
Blood clots
Dementia
Gallbladder disease
Ovarian cancer
High blood pressure
Liver problems
High blood sugar
Enlargement of benign tumors of the uterus (“fibroids”)
Some of the warning signs of these serious side effects include:

Breast lumps
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Dizziness and faintness
Changes in speech
Severe headaches
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Pains in your legs
Changes in vision
Vomiting
Yellowing of the skin, eyes or nail beds
Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these warning signs, or any other unusual symptom that concerns you.

Less serious but common side effects include:

Headache
Breast pain
Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
Stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating
Nausea and vomiting
Hair loss
Fluid retention
Vaginal yeast infection

[rosepetals]

Here is the page that shows the complete details of all the side effects.


http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=567

[videofit]

I'm shocked at how many doctors don't know the difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic ones. Progestogen was used in that famous research study where women died. They are NOT the same thing as progesterone. Progesterone is natural. Infertile women and women with PCOS take real progesterone to cure their problem so what logically does that tell you?

I recently had to find a new gyno because my insurance changed. My previous gyno was a member of the North American Menopause Society. Find a doc who a member because they will be better informed than a doc who is relying on long discredited studies and research from when they were in medical school. My new doc said I didn't need progesterone because I didn't have a uterus. I was shocked at her ignorance because she was affiliated with a famous medical school. To be fair, most of her patients are pregnant women, not menopausal. Fortunately, she was open to prescribing more Minivelle patches (bioidentical estradiol) for me, the only reason I came to see her. I buy ProGest cream at Whole Foods.