My Experience with Ovestin During Menopause: Benefits and Challenges

I recall when my doctor prescribed me the hormonal therapeutic system Mirena a few years ago. It was a hormonal spiral that contained an analog of the hormone progesterone. I installed it and started feeling the effects of hormone therapy. But after a year and a half, I began to suffer from cystitis. It was a culmination of circumstances that led me to a difficult situation. The stress of work, lack of exercise, and poor diet had left me a bit weak. But it was during the confinement when my body decided to throw a party and gave me a cold that turned into something much more serious.

I started feeling pain while urinating and the frequency of my visits to the bathroom increased exponentially. I started researching and discovered that it could be a hormonal cystitis. The truth is that I wasn't ready for this! I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I started looking for natural remedies, but nothing seemed to work. I increased the amount of liquid I drink and started taking antibiotics, but nothing changed. It was then that I decided to go to the doctor. After having a gynecological ultrasound and a urine analysis, my doctor told me that my problem was hormonal and that it was common in women going through menopause. He explained that hormonal cystitis is due to the decrease in estrogen levels in the body.

He prescribed Ovestin and I started using it in December 2020. I've been on this hormone therapy for almost a year now and I've used up three full packages. I'm currently using the fourth package. I was surprised by the amount of product you get in each tube. A 15-gram tube (30 doses) has lasted me approximately 4 months on the normal regimen. However, the first tube ran out much sooner than the others.

I remember the doctor's instructions: first a daily treatment, then one every two days, and finally a maintenance dose twice a week. He advised me to follow a three-day daily pattern for two weeks, and then try to stop using it. Well, I've completed the course and, according to her, I should have been able to stop using it. Or at least try to. I'm far from menopause, so I expected the cystitis pain and discomfort to disappear. And indeed they did. I felt better after the first application, and a week later I was in great shape. Additionally, I noticed that my joints and back hurt less, my mood improved, and my head cleared up. My productivity also increased.

I was surprised by how my body reacted when I decided to stop using Ovestin Krem Aspen. At first, it seemed like everything was fine, but after a week, the symptoms came back with a vengeance. The pain, urgency, burning, and general discomfort left me breathless. But what scared me the most was the chest pain. I felt like I was experiencing an angina attack. The pain was intense and felt like someone had applied intense heat under my clavicle. I had trouble breathing and decided to open the window despite the cold. I took a glass of water and some valerian drops I had at home. After a while, I felt a bit better.

I realized that the estrogen effect also depends on my own hormonal level at this moment. At my age, it's extremely unstable. That's why I try to adapt. According to my mood. If it's normal, I can do it once a week. It starts running in the evening - it's the first sign that I need to switch to twice a week. If I ignore this sign and wait a bit longer, in the next three days I inevitably start feeling burning, discomfort, and all that. It's also quick, within a day or two, when the estrogen level drops, the skin becomes noticeably drier, all possible wrinkles appear on my face, the skin on my feet becomes a problem, even with regular care.

I'd like to add that I was looking for additional information on estrogen. I discovered that it's 20 times (!) less potent than estradiol, and that's why it acts much more gently and doesn't cause most of the characteristic side effects of the "main estrogen" - estradiol.

I found it interesting to discover that the estrogen used in the doses used does not cause endometrial growth. Therefore, it can be used without synthetic analogs of progesterone. I was convinced by this, as in the 11 months of using "Ovestin" I only had two episodes of bloody discharge (like some leftovers from the critical days with my previous treatment with "Mirena"). I couldn't relate these episodes to the use of estrogen. It makes sense.

Estrogen also has the advantage that it is not affected by chemical changes in the body and cannot be transformed into other hormones. For example, some types of synthetic estradiol made from testosterone can be transformed back into testosterone in the body, which can create additional complications during treatment.

I learned that estrogen is, in fact, a hormone of pregnancy and is normally produced during this state both by the placenta and the fetus. During pregnancy, the level of estrogen is maximally high. However, I didn't understand if estrogen should be present in non-pregnant women. There are two options: either its amount is practically insignificant or there is no estrogen at all. Other types of estrogens are the ones that are normally found in this state.

I'd like to know, for example, what estrogen is synthesized from in "Ovestin" and where it comes from. Unfortunately, I didn't find this information anywhere. There are no explanations about whether the estrogen is synthetic or of biological origin in the product. I would have liked to know.

I find it strange that there is no mention of the positive effect of estro on bone density. That would be a problem. Because osteoporosis in menopause is one of the most important factors. Estro doesn't support it as well as estradiol does. I didn't find any information about this in the articles and guides on hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Or maybe I didn't look for it.

As for the usage guide of Ovestin in the instruction, it's very detailed about the application as hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Now I understand that this is one of the best and most correct ones. It's the one that has been developed over decades. Ovestin has been used for over 60 years, not only in Russia, but also in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Of course, there are different ways to prepare it, such as tablets and creams. I think the cream is not only the most economical option (since you have to buy it constantly, and the price is 1300 to 1800 rubles per package in different pharmacies), but also the safest.

The packaging of the product has changed a bit in a year, but only on the outside. The tubes and applicators of Ovostin are the same as always. I like that the tubes are made of soft metal, which allows you to use the product until the last drop. I haven't counted the doses, but I think the exact amount is within reason without needing to count them.

In general, the instruction is very detailed. I won't quote it here, but it's a good idea to read it before using the product. Additionally, there is a lot of interest in the product on your official website. In fact, that's where they recommend applying it, for example, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Or on Thursdays and Sundays. In short, it's a good idea to choose two fixed days so you don't forget and don't lose the habit. It's a very practical idea. At first, I didn't understand why the intervals weren't equal, from Wednesday to Saturday and from Saturday to Wednesday. But over time, I realized the advantage of choosing my days. Controlling the regularity of application is much easier, and I no longer forget to do it. With time, it becomes a habit.

If "Ovestin" has contraindications and, probably, there are non-negligible adverse reactions. But all these things need to be carefully evaluated and foreseen before starting treatment. With your doctor. And for that, you need to trust your doctor. Their knowledge and experience, especially. And not be afraid of hormone replacement therapy for menopause, simply rejecting everything. Sounds silly? But that's exactly what I did. My doctor found it difficult with me. Now I understand it well. My old prejudices about hormones as something absolutely bad were influential. Prejudices that, in a sense, are similar to those of someone who says: "I won't scold or punish my children when I have them". It's also time to change those prejudices and think differently about hormones, when menopause arrives and changes inevitably occur in the body that require effective correction.

The painful facts and my own experience teach me better than any advertising brochure. Without a doubt.

The applicators, which look like long syringes, scared me at first. And I even tried to apply the cream without the applicator. It turned out to be a very uncomfortable method. The applicator makes everything much easier and more correct. But there are also some interesting points. In addition to the application method, of course. I'll eliminate it even from the quote.

I realize that without an applicator, I couldn't apply the cream correctly. But even with the applicator, the application has to be done lying down. It's a test for my partner, because if I live alone, there's no problem. I have to apply the dose at night, before going to bed. And that means that if I forget to apply the dose in the morning and feel unwell, I have to wait until night to apply it.

Well, it's very important not to divide the recommended dose in any way, or apply it several times a day. If I do, I'm running a great risk of my endometrium growing uncontrollably. Only once a day, only at night, following a strict calendar. But, after a while, you can get used to that schedule, especially if you see the benefits that Ovestin brings to your overall well-being.

The new tube, of course, is well sealed. It only opens with a cap, as always. I don't have any problems using it.

I was surprised by the ergonomics of the applicator, which consists of a piston and a cylinder. The piston is fixed by a ring, so it's not possible to add a larger dose than recommended.

The piston reaches the mark of the blade on the cylinder, but if you apply a bit more pressure, you can move it beyond the mark. In fact, you can even remove the piston, so it's essential to be careful when handling it.

The tube and the applicator have a thread, which makes their union easier. When you press the tube, an exact dose is automatically collected. I think everything is very well thought out.

I also liked that, when collecting the dose, nothing spills from the tube. In some products, this can be a problem. When you press the tube, you don't know when the product flow will stop. Here everything is very efficient and nothing is wasted.

I gave this dose of cream another chance, since I wanted to show it in my review! Here it is. About 1 cm of cream, with a diameter similar to the mouth of the tube. It's a bit, but I think it's very practical. After applying the cream, I don't notice anything special, but in the 30 minutes that follow, I feel a slight warmth in my legs. I think the estrogen increases blood flow or slightly expands the blood vessels. However, this effect doesn't last long after applying the cream and disappears quickly.

The texture of Ovestin cream seems excellent to me, well thought out. The cream is white and seems dense, but it's actually very light and smooth. It doesn't have too much oil, nor is it too liquid, nor does it spill easily. It adheres well to the skin and distributes without problems.

I was surprised by the comfort of using it, thanks to its composition with an antiseptic (the candles don't have that ingredient, for example, and the cream base is different). At least, I haven't had any discomfort during or after its application. If you follow the instructions (lie down after using it!), there's no risk of the product spilling or decomposing. Yes, the cream can stain a bit of clothing, but that stain disappears easily after washing. Which doesn't prevent you from using their daily applicators if it's more comfortable.

What catches my attention is that, although it says that Ovestin has a characteristic smell, I don't perceive anything.

The applicator must be cleaned compulsorily with warm water and soap after using the cream, and then dried. I left an applicator uncleaned in the box for a few months and, despite the cream containing an antiseptic, something developed in it.

Well, it's very important not to divide the recommended dose in any way, or apply it several times a day. If I do, I'm running a great risk of my endometrium growing uncontrollably. Only once a day, only at night, following a strict calendar. But, after a while, you can get used to that schedule, especially if you see the benefits that Ovestin brings to your overall well-being.

In the time I've been using the Ovestin cream, I've had to take other medications at the same time. I was surprised that, suddenly, I developed a herniated intervertebral disc in the summer. I was prescribed several analgesics, such as diclofenac, meloxicam, ksefokam, and nimusil, which I took in turns. Ovestin combined perfectly with all of them, without any apparent problems. I also had to take dexamethasone with magnesium and an analgesic, and nothing more. On one occasion, I took siralud with estradiol and didn't have any problems. However, gabaentino with estradiol, in my opinion, is incompatible. Although I didn't find any indication of this in any guide. I only took one tablet of gabaentino a day, at night. In the morning, after taking gabaentino with estradiol, I felt a general state of weakness. My head became heavy and vata. I only had the strength to stay in bed, because the painful contractions in my back had worsened and didn't decrease with additional analgesics. The effect lasted approximately a day, then improved, and the edemas disappeared. But as I continued to take gabaentino with estradiol, the bad state worsened more and more and appeared more quickly. Fortunately, after 10 days, I was taken off gabaentino. And after that, the effect of Ovestin remained without problems.

I was forced to take high doses of vitamin B group vitamins (mielgamina, neurobiotin). Vitamin B really potentiates the effect of estrogens. But in a gentle and harmonious way. This month, I've been using "Ovestina" only once a week, and this dosage has worked perfectly for me. Gradually, I had to switch to taking it twice. Sorry, but vitamin B cannot be taken in such high doses continuously, as it has been going very well for me.

With antibiotics (amoxicillin) I didn't have any problems. The same with cough medicines. The supplements (collagen, protectors, polivitamins, vitamin D, omega 3 from the well-known website) combine with "Ovestina" excellently, in my opinion. Of course, I don't take them all at the same time, but in turns. I only take collagen and vitamin D continuously, just like estradiol.

As for the cheapest analog of "Ovestina" made in our country, I wrote about it here. If you're interested, you can read it. Personally, I prefer not to play this game. Well, and I wouldn't recommend that you do either. Now, each one sees for themselves...

The truth is that I don't think I'll stop taking Ovestin at all. In general, the product has provided me with much more benefit than harm. Fortunately, I haven't experienced any serious damage so far. It's difficult to predict what may happen in the future, but after 11 months, I think any undesirable problem would have already arisen. Of course, as a stubborn smoker, this is something important to consider. I'm still smoking today. I confess, I didn't want to mention it. But it's crucial because hormone replacement therapy is not recommended (even prohibited) for smokers. In my case, nothing bad has happened. I hope it continues that way.

To all of you, I wish a strong and robust health. That's the most important thing. To my fellow women, I say that they should approach hormone replacement therapy for menopause with their head and heart, with logic and scientific evidence. Not with fears and obscurantist prejudices that have taken root in their minds. Thanks to this rational approach, sometimes it's possible to significantly improve health, well-being, and mood. That's something I wish for all of you!

P. S.: yes, I almost forgot to mention another very important point. After using "Mirena" for a while, I had a very rapid weight gain, and I was already a bit overweight. I couldn't manage to lose those extra pounds. Until I started using "Ovestin". During all these months, I was taking estrogen and, somehow, without changing my diet or exercise routine, I lost around 8 extra pounds. I've been following a low-carb diet for over 5 years, and a long time ago I minimized sugar and other carbohydrates as much as possible. However, the weight continued to increase because progesterone (and its analogs) promotes weight gain. Estrogen, according to my experience, improved my metabolism and helped me lose weight in a complete and comfortable way without having to make changes to my diet or exercise. That's a very positive side effect!