Estring

ANyone out there use it. Like it don't like it...does it get in the way with sex. Does it fall out? Is it comfortable? I see Dr Wed and he is suggesting it. I would like to know more before I pay for it!

Hi Kathi,
I am using a Femring which is similar to Estring. I love it and highly recommend it! It is so much better than the HRT patches that I had trouble keeping on. It has helped immensely with vaginal dryness. I feel like I get a nice even dose of estrogen so I do not have hot flashes or night sweats. I can't feel it and it hasn't fallen out on it's own. When DH and I were able to have sex he could feel it but he said it didn't bother him at all.
Michelle

Hi!

Estring is a popular choice when it comes to vaginal estrogens. It's inserted and left in place for up to 90 days for continuous release of estrogen. If uncomfortable during sex, it can be removed and then reinserted afterward. It isn't messy like the vaginal creams can be.

If you don't like the idea of having the ring inside for that long there are other vaginal estrogen choices. I use Vagifem, which is a tiny estradiol tablet pre-loaded in a very slim, disposable applicator. It's very easy and convenient to use as well as being effective. You can read about other vaginal estrogen choices in this article titled Vaginal Dryness. It's from the Hormone Jungle Articles which can be found by clicking the Articles link on the left side of the page, then click on Hormone Jungle.

As an FYI, Estring and Femring are entirely different other than they are both vaginal rings. Estring is a low dose estrogen ring meant for the treatment of vaginal dryness/atrophy. Femring comes in two different doses and is meant to be prescribed for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. It works systemically (like pills and patches) and shouldn't be prescribed if just vaginal estrogen is needed. Estring and Femring are often confused, even by people in the medical profession and by pharmacists, so be careful!

I hope this helps!

s

April Dawn, I appreciate what you are saying about Estring and Femring but the truth is both are estrogen replacement systems. Though they are somewhat different, estrogen is still absorbed through the blood stream by both Estring and Femring. Femring's dose of estrogen can be increased or decreased according to a woman's menopausal symptoms whereas Estring cannot. Femring is also listed as an appropriate drug to prevent vaginal dryness and atrophy. It is very confusing and that is why the decision to initiate treatment with any estrogen replacement system needs to be discussed with the Dr to see which is the most appropriate treatment for the individual woman.
Michelle

Thanks, you guys. I go to DR tomorrow and will estring. I always HATED the feel of my diaphram and wonder if I will feelt this too much too. I like the idea that it is working 24/7! I need all the help I can get with PT and the rectocele.

I didn't mean for my comments about Estring and Femring to cause confusion.

Estring is prescribed to treat the symptoms of vaginal dryness/atrophy. It is not an effective choice to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats because it's a low dose and isn't made to work systemically. Femring can be prescribed to treat vaginal dryness/atrophy in addition to treating hot flashes, night sweats, etc. It works systemically whereas most (but not all) of the estrogen in Estring stays in the vaginal/urethral tissues.

There has been so much confusion about the two that Warner Chilcott, maker of Femring, came out with this:

http://www.rphlink.com/femring031605.html

Please note that it says the two products are not interchangeable.

A woman who needs a vaginal estrogen product, whether she is on a systemic estrogen or not, would correctly be prescribed Estring, not Femring.

I hope this clears things up!

(((kathiem))), I hope that Estring works out well and you get the relief from your symptoms that you need!

s

I appreciate the time you all have taken to answer my questions. I am going to give estring a try! Thank you all!!!