5 Things You Should Know About Vaginal Estrogen with Dr. Rachel Rubin

[@roslynmorris7697]

Thank you!! This was very informative. I am so grateful.

[@cocot3662]

I got my prescription filled using Good RX . Even with my insurance it was $90. I got it for about $42 using good R.X. This was my first experience using good RX and it was wonderful. My second refill was automatically run through Good R.X. So I got that one also for $42.This was in California, USA.

[@leftcoastgal5134]

Just bought out of pocket at Mark Cuban’s cost plus drugs. It was $13.70 + $5 shipping. My insurance charges me $45 copay per Rx. I’m forever buying out of pocket.

[@anne-louisegoldie]

I'm so grateful to those campaigning for the black box info to be sorted out. I'm in the UK but our product inserts are the same. If the US changes, we'll change it too no doubt. Thank you. Hormones are what run the show and keep it going, they're very safe and they work 😊xx

[@mimi-dh9bn]

I can hardly believe it is 2024 and this information is not widely available. Menopause hits us all and I’ve looked for this info for years!

[@AVWCortes]

I wished I knew this or my OB/Gym prescribed this 12 years ago! I had my Menopause too early (extreme stress will cause this) 16 years ago, I'm now 62. Only now I started using 2 days ago. This year I started suffering UTI, incontinence, vaginal relapse, thinning of vaginal walls. I hope I'm not too late!

[@cyndikehrli8389]

It would be lovely if Estradiol Vaginal Cream was made without methylparaben. You have to get it compounded and request that that preservative not be used, cost $ 60-$ 80.

[@delaneyondreams]

After one internist, and THREE Boarded GYNS could not answer my question: "Is there any new research on HRT for Menopause in the last 22 years? " just shrugged their shoulders. AND after I had asked my 2014 Kaiser Permanente GYN in Northern Calif. "How much risk am I running wearing my low-dose CombiPatch?, he said, "Only a small risk." I said, " How SMALL? SMAll in whose eyes? From whose point of view?" THIS GYN shrugged his shoulders. SO, I took my patch off in front of the doc saying" Well ,I have gone to some trouble to switch to a Whole Food Plant Based, evidence-based diet, and I don't want any added risk of Breast or other Cancers; I would rather just accept more wrinkles." He did NOT say, "Wait Wait! If you do that you will raise your risk of osteoporosis, Heart Disease, etc>>>>>!" Nor, of course, did he cite any of the research published after the WHI in 2002, of which I was entirely ignorant. WE MOVED TO CENTRAL FL and as soon as we ended our 3+ year COVID-19 lockdown I saw an internist who told me not to worry; there is no orgasm or sex after menopause." WHAT??? She nodded and confirmed her wise sisterly pronouncement. At the time, I did not know there is no "after" menopause. OFF I WENT to 2 Gynecologists, I asked the first, "Is there any post-2002 research on HRT in menopause? He responded, "Do you want hormone therapy? I can write you a script for it." I asked: "What are the risks? the Pros and Cons?" His answer, "It is a personal decision; I can write you a script for it if you choose." I said, " But I do not have any data upon which to make an informed decision! He too, shrugged his shoulders. Then just before I walked out of the room, he said, "But hormones will make your bones last 7 years longer." I had already decided I could make no decision on his knowledge base, and left. (Indeed, I later saw his visit (Pap Smear test) notes in which he referred to having noticed "Vaginal Atrophy"!! something I had not mentioned because I had no idea that it was anything more than one of the inevitable surprise problems of aging, confirmed by the internist!. I CAME HOME FURIOUS that my docs had nothing evidence-based to offer in Menopause consultation. BUT I could not believe there was NO RESEARCH out there. I may not be a doc, but I have a PHD, and know how to do research. I am going to start with PubMED, and Mayo Clinic sites and see what I can find. WOW! What a scandalous surprise! These lazy docs are not doing their homework, and can't admit to NOT KNOWING! Then I discovered Rachel Rubin MD and many other docs In the US, & Europe (I speak Italian and French). What a goldmine! I started collecting my , "Friend's List" of my favorite videos by my Favorite docs, and added a few I did not like, but who presented the DARK AGES formulations of Menopause that is still being defended by some. I did not ever want to hear one of my friends (or acquaintances) say, as I had kept repeating out loud to myself, "WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS?" So c.5 months later, having been unable to find any GYNS asking for referrals or searching on-line in my area who had a better medical reputation and educational resume, I called the same GYN office and made an appt. with the younger GYN partner of the first, saying I wanted to explore hormone therapy and I was hoping that being a female and more recently graduated she might be better informed than the first doc. The phone receptionist said, "Yes." In our first remote appt. the first action this GYN suggested was that I get my hormone levels blood test! My brief KZbin research had already signaled that at 73, any doc who suggested blood levels before treatment was padding the bill. SO, I went into a DEEP dive of 7-8 months to learn more, and to find a certified in Menopause doc not too far away. I gave up that hope, and chose a REMOTE doc who had a knock-out resumé IN menopause training. I would have chosen Dr. Rubin, ( a similar personality style) whose training, vigorous pioneering energy & actions, and courageous humor, were SOO attractive to me...but ALAS! she was not yet licensed to practice remotely in my state. I am sure your stories have much in common with mine, and I hope I have not bored you. But I hope to encourage you all to PERSIST in getting the care that will benefit you, and That you will find ways to bring up GSM in many conversations with everyone you know. Everyone has an aunt, sister, friend etc. who has not a clue why she is suffering, or may be suffering in the future... needlessly and risking awful outcomes from UTIs. Spread the word, and help us all. a Thousand times "Thank You" Dr. Rubin and Perry!

[@tns4358]

My problem is that keep talking to anyone men or women about the hormones life / health saver benefits. Most think I’m nuts. Some take in the information. I’ve had perimenopause symptoms at 33, and at 40 premature ovarian failure. Most of the family knows the horrible experience I’ve had, yet the same women don’t care to do anything about it now when it’s their turn. I’m not keeping quiet, I keep preaching it. I prefer quality of life rather than quantity!!!

[@jojohn2950]

Excellent information. Thank you!

[@leftcoastgal5134]

Omg I loved her response to the migraine/vaginal estrogen. Brilliant Doc

[@ceejae2349]

I'm listening to this from Australia. Sitting in my car whilst my script for Ovestin is filled. 🎉🎉🎉🎉. Excited for the supple nature to return

[@ClaireCB-y4r]

Thank you for this very helpful information!

[@kr1221E]

I watched Dr Rachel being interviewed by our very own UK menopause angel Dr Louise Newson. I have a sore vagina and a UTI. I am 58. The NICE guidelines say to use vag preparations daily for 2 weeks then then reduce them, why if they are preventative as well as taking current symptoms away?

[@malindalee1]

Is Levonorgestrel and Norethindrone safe Progesterone replacements?

[@nicolebrewster4352]

My doctor prescribed Premarin. I don’t feel like it’s working. I still feel dry and itchy down there. She then put me on Progesterone 200 mg I was hoping it would help me sleep and I have been getting better sleep although tonight I’m wired. What am I doing wrong? What do I need? Would estradiol be a better option for me? I’m always so uncomfortable down there and getting up frequently to use the bathroom the night. My libido is also low. I’m desperate to feel good and normal? What is that even?😢

[@trinidiana]

Fantastic. How would I get my 85 year old mum to have access to estradiol cream? She’s suffering

[@cocot3662]

I found a female doctor and she examined me and gave me a prescription for the cream. I had relief in a matter of a few days. Life changer. I am seventy two years old. I watched my friend's mother scream in pain every time she emptied her bladder as she was in a rehab/nursing facility. I had no idea something as simple as a cream would have helped her in her horrible situation.

[@nicolemerz1731]

Thank you so much for sharing 🙏 ​@@cocot3662

[@anne-louisegoldie]

All women, any age, should be able to get vaginal /vulva oestrogen. Doctors should prescribe it without issue, at all ages, don't be fobbed off 😊xx

[@delaneyondreams]

Hello, Perry, I just posted the long comment below. I hope you do not mind. I found such postings helpful in my journey. I am a dream psychologist and wrote a book on sexual dreams, the 4 years research for which DRILLED into my awareness how much harm is done by our culture's sexual silence, awkwardness, shame and secrets. We see this in female medicine and oh my, in Menopause silence that often defeats even the girlfriend sharing networks. I have not seen much or any mention made by Dr Rachel or anyone else on how much early sexual abuse (1 out or 3 or 4 women have suffered it). Although I will bet that Dr Rachel does get to it in her rich relationships with many of her patients. I think it might help many if she were to make a video on the topic. What do you think? ON THE LIGHTER SIDE of discussing dreams and Erotic life, have you any resources on books or videos on the effects of HRT on dream recall, and the return of erotic feelings in dreams? My dreams have certainly been ahead of me, cheering me on in getting my desire back and so pleasurable! I started recalling my sexual (retraining ) dreams as harbingers of my hopeful future! I could not find a way to write you privately, so I came back to this fabulous interview page in hopes of reaching you! Thank you for your wonderful work for so many of us!

[@karenoneill1415]

how much should you use of the cream and how often?

[@amazingsylvia]

Thank you for the education, makes me happy to know more about my body. Question, can i use every day vaginal cream for the vulva? plus 2 a week internal in the vagina?

[@katm41]

What’s a diflucan ? And what age should you start estradiol 0.1 MG/GM vaginal cream?

[@laurafuller8528]

Diflucan is yeast medication. Can be prescribed for yeast infection.

[@myvoice31]

Can vaginal estrogen help with vaginal laxity, which causes air issues?

[@tns4358]

It can.but not at this small dose, and depending on your genetics. I do a laser treatment every 3 months and things are tight as they can be. There is also an infrared light Joylux device works well too! For me 2.5 mg estrogen daily is enough, but not to reverse laxity completely. That’s where the other two things do the trick! There’s sales on the infrared devices on Black Friday and other times of the year. I’ve been at menopause for 9 years and peri 7 years before that. I’ll be 49 in a month…