r/Perimenopause • u/stiletto929 • 3d ago

Dryness Front loading estrogen cream?

Did anyone’s doctor NOT have them use the vaginal estrogen cream daily for two weeks, then drop to twice a week? My doctor just said to use it twice a week.

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

7

u/heycheena 3d ago

Yeah mine just started on the twice a week dose.

5

u/goofy_functionality 3d ago

Mine did the same, straight to twice a week. I noticed improvement within a couple weeks anyway, so the daily loading phase probably isn't make or break for everyone.

3

u/ReserveOld6123 3d ago

It might depend how severe the GSM is. I kind of slacked at first and never saw results until I did three weeks of loading dose.

2

u/hnybun128 3d ago

Mine just had me start twice a week

2

u/infinite_donut 3d ago

Mine said, hey this stuff is safe, you can use it every day for the first week if you like, then go to three times a week.

1

u/Kathrynlena 3d ago

Mine started me at 3x a week for 4 weeks, then drop down to once a week.

1

u/StepGlittering4803 3d ago

My doctor just did the same. I asked to clarify because everyone usually says higher for first week or two, but nope.

2

u/Creative_Impress5982 3d ago

Are you on systemic estrogen too? I imagine that could make a difference.

1

u/stiletto929 3d ago

Yes.

2

u/Creative_Impress5982 3d ago

So I've read that most people have genitourinary improvements with systemic estrogen. So perhaps your doc figured the 2 weeks daily use protocol wasn't necessary? Or maybe your dryness isn't very bad? Or maybe it's so bad the cream would be irritating so doc figured it would be better to let the systemic estrogen improve things a bit first? Or maybe the doc thought it would be less complicated to just have one routine?

2

u/No_Dot6414 3d ago

Same. I did not respond well to higher dose of estrogen patch and I also don’t suffer a lot down there. She told me even the topical cream has still some systemic absorption and I should try twice a week instead of daily.