I have posted before that I am unable to use estrogen in any form and even estriol cream in tiny amounts makes me tearful so I hardly ever use it.
I was trying to get by on vitamin E oil for dryness but after a few days I became sore and itchy so I had to stop. In desperation I gave in and used a little estriol expecting that the next day I would be weeping and depressed. However to my surprise it did not happen. I felt a little hyped but nothing more.
I have been using it every other day for the past week and I find I am tolerating it well now. I am also finding that it is improving my libido!
I can't understand why I am now able to use it, where before I couldn't use it at all.
Anyone know why? Could it be something to do with thyroid function? I don't know much about that but it seems to be mentioned here a lot lately.

janet c

The effects of oestrogens are mediated through oestrogen receptors. When oestrogen declines the receptors down regulate so maybe the receptors are coming back on line as you slowly introduce the estriol again. I can't think of any other explanation at the moment.

The effects of oestrogens are mediated through oestrogen receptors. When oestrogen declines the receptors down regulate so maybe the receptors are coming back on line as you slowly introduce the estriol again. I can't think of any other explanation at the moment.

I wonder if it could be anything to do with my trying the estrogen patch a few weeks ago then? It made me very ill and I had to stop it after a week but maybe it reawakened some oestrogen receptors? That makes sense-thanks!

janet c

My 65yo neighbor said that even when she became fully menopausal (was at age 42) hrt still occaisionally needed to be adjusted. She would go along fine for a few years and then the doc needed to readjust dosage. The body is constantly, througout life, trying to maintain a state of homeostasis. So, imo that might be why you are experiencing a difference. Good luck and I hope you feel better, JZZ

yep, this is what happened, when you out of estrogen for a while, your receptors are "dormant", and in some cases, they been removed, so adding estrogen at once, can you make sick.
They suggest if one to use HRT, do it early before your body is used to low level of hormones. Probably, case for older women starting on HRT experience heart attacks and strokes, IMO.

So if I keep going it should get easier? I didn't use any estrogen after my surgical menopause for three years so my body had got used to nil.
I did try with the estriol back around Christmas but after almost three months I felt terrible and had to give up. It didn't seem to get any better at that time.
When I tried the patch I thought I was going to die-I felt so ill! But as we know estriol is many times weaker than estradiol so maybe it did me a favour? Its a mystery!

janet c

Can estrogen receptors reactivate then? I didn't know that, but it's quite encouraging if so.