I was given estriol vaginal cream last year as the only type of HRT allowed for me following endo cancer. I did not persist with it because every time I tried it I would become emotional and tearful. A few weeks ago I tried bioidentical progesterone but had to give it up as I felt awful on it also! Following a check up two weeks ago the doctor suggested I try the estriol again on a very gradual basis and said that the reason I was reacting to it so strongly was because my body was going into a kind of shock after being deprived of estrogen for so long. I was dubious but decided to try again and after a few days I am delighted to say that I feel ok on it and an unexpected side effect is that my hot flushes seem to have reduced considerably! I thought I had heard that estriol was not effective in this regard but in my case it seems to have worked!( I am actually very hormone sensitive). I don't want to rock the boat and it is early days for me. I have found that just a little estriol has taken away the gnawing anxiety that I have been living with for almost three years as well- and I am delighted! My question is-should I now try a little of the bioidentical progesterone cream? Do I need it? Obviously I dont have a uterus or ovaries any more but I wonder if it would have any benefits for me? I know at present I feel ok but I don't want to become estrogen dominant again. Anyone have any experiences in this area please? After how I felt the last time I tried it I am afraid of rocking the boat!
janet c

I think you'll get a variety of answers, but here's mine:

If you are not using estradiol and you didn't tolerate progesterone well, I see no compelling reason for you to use progesterone.

However, if you DO start using estradiol, then you will probably want to use progesterone as well. I'm assuming you have not had a double mastectomy. If you have, and you've also had your hysterectomy, then I think it's not necessary to use progesterone.

The best effects I've had from progesterone have been calming effect, improved sleep, mitigation of palpitations and better regulation of my irregular periods.

As for estradiol, I would recommend it if you want to further reduce your hot flashes, and also if you find that your mood has deteriorated and you feel overwhelmingly anxious or depressed or otherwise disturbed since your ovaries were removed. You could just try it and see if you benefit from it, it's definitely not something you have to keep doing once you've started.

The best effects I've had from estradiol have been major reduction in number and intensity of hot flashes and major improvement in mood.

Hi Sandra. I'm not really a candidate for estradiol. As I said I am getting quite good resuts from estriol-I am sure estradiol would be too strong for me and in any case as I had uterine cancer its not really for me. Yes you described accurately how I have been feeling since my ovaries were removed, but its amazing how much better I am, now my body is settling with just a small amount of estriol. I have to be careful though as if I use too much I feel a bit strange. It does seem to give me headaches too. No I have not had a double mastectomy. My cancer was hormone based but it was not the type that is linked to breast cancer. I am not worried about that -its more about balancing my hormones.I just wondered whether estrogen on its own would start causing PMT symptoms but I think I have concluded that I am not using enough for it to do that. I am finding I feel much calmer and my sleep and mood have improved-all the things you say you get from progesterone. I cannot believe how much better I am now and in such a short time. It has improved my libido too! I think I am going the leave the progesterone in the drawer-I am not going to rock the boat now! Thanks for your great reply anyway.
janet c