It’s often associated with treating vaginal dryness or helping to maintain a healthy sex life after menopause, but vaginal oestrogen can also offer protection from serious bacteria-induced illness. Liz explains how declining hormone levels affect urinary health as we get older, and how localised oestrogen may help maintain healthy vaginal flora, support the urethra and reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Plus: what might be causing a recurrent rash, advice for lowering high liver enzymes, the best way to treat sagging facial skin and is this ringworm or something else?
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What is vaginal oestrogen and what is it used for?
Vaginal oestrogen is a treatment that contains a plant-based type of oestrogen called estradiol or estriol. When levels of oestrogen naturally decline during perimenopause and menopause, it can cause what’s known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which is when the tissues in and around the vagina can become thinner, drier and more vulnerable to irritation.
Using vaginal oestrogen provides a low dose to increase the level of oestrogen in your vagina to help relieve symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, burning, sexual discomfort, urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
What’s the difference between vaginal oestrogen and HRT?
Unlike systemic HRT, which delivers hormones throughout the body, vaginal oestrogen works locally, delivering oestrogen only to your vaginal area. It is not the same as systemic HRT and it doesn’t treat other symptoms of the menopause such as hot flushes, sleep disruption or low mood.
How does vaginal oestrogen work?
It comes in various forms such as a pessary, tablet, cream, gel or ring that you insert into your vagina. It delivers a low dose of oestrogen directly to the oestrogen receptors located in the vagina, vulva, urethra and lower urinary tract.
Why is vaginal oestrogen about more than just sex?
Vaginal health isn’t just about comfort or continuing a healthy sex life after menopause. It’s also about maintaining a healthy pelvic flora to protect the urethra and help to prevent recurrent UTIs, which can be particularly common during perimenopause and menopause.
UTIs can be painful and debilitating, and if they recur frequently, bacteria can travel up the urethra into the bladder and cause further complications. In older women, UTI cases can escalate into severe and even life-threatening conditions such as sepsis.
Can you buy vaginal oestrogen over the counter?
You can get vaginal oestrogen on prescription via your GP or healthcare provider, and there are also brands you can buy over the counter from the pharmacy, such as Gina (vaginal tablets) and Ovesse (vaginal cream).
Read Intrarosa: Could vaginal DHEA be the missing piece of your HRT?
Can you use vaginal oestrogen if you’re under 50 or still having periods?
It can be used during perimenopause when you are still having periods, but you will need a prescription from your GP. Over-the-counter vaginal oestrogen such as Gina or Ovesse are restricted in the UK to postmenopausal women aged 50 and over.
Is vaginal oestrogen safe?
Vaginal oestrogen doesn’t carry the same risks as other types of HRT as the dose is very low and the medicine is contained to the vagina and not the rest of your body.
Always speak to your GP, pharmacist or menopause healthcare professional about the treatment that’s appropriate for you.
Also in this episode:
- Conditions that can cause itchy, blotchy skin
- Will facial fillers improve saggy jowls?
- Ways to lower high liver enzyme levels
- Simple tips for managing a healthy weight
- What causes recurrent ringworm?
- Is vaginal oestrogen safe to use?
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Information on XERF facial treatment
- Information on Thermage
- Information on Morpheus8 and microneedling
- Hum2n clinic
- GlycanAge biological testing
- Skin + Me online dermatologist
- Boots online skin health consultation
- The Liver Clinic
- Use code LIZLOVES for 15% off The Naked Pharmacy Metabolic Gold
- Podcast with Professor Mary Ryan on menopause and vaginal oestrogen
- Gina vaginal oestrogen
- Ovesse vaginal oestrogen
Get in touch with a question for Liz:
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp: 07518 471 846
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