My vagina health deteriorated rather dramatically after my doctors would no longer prescribe estrogen based on my age. I can't toleralte any of the vaginal creams, they cause burning and itching. I have severe Allergic Contact Dermatitis, a form of eczema resulting from contact with many everyday contacts most don't react to. I have learned it's not the estrogen itself, it is the inactive ingredients used in the inserted creams.
Surprisingly I do tolerate Estring, which is a silicone ring infused with time released estrogen, you personally insert this into your vagina, it stays in for 3 months, yet once a week or so you must insert a finger to make sure it has not drifted toward the opening. Ocassionaly, after a bowel movenment in which your bore down, you will feel pressure toward the vaginal opening and that means it is too low, when inserted properly you feel nothing. I have used this for over a year, it has never fallen out. It is not noticeable when having intercourse. It has restored my vaginal health and I no longer have to deal with vaginal pain during intercourse and a benefit also is that I no longer have any odor from the vagina because by restoring normal secretions the vagina washes itself.
Yet, I do believe that although this time released estrogen is localized in the vagina, there is a possiblity some could migrate into your blood and to other parts of the body, so do ask your doctor about this expensive prescription. My medicare pharmacy supplement helps, but it still costs about $300 for a 3 month ring, however the benefit to my marriage and my own pleasure is worth the expense. To save money I have tried making it last past the 3 month window and to my surprise, within a few days before the end of the 3 month window slight burning and a beginning odor reoccur.
I'm allergic to a lot of inactive ingredients in creams and lotions too. Anything botannical, fragrance, and a preservative called phenoxyethanol all cause irritation. I look for products with the fewest ingredients. The Estring is great because it's just estrogen in silicone, which feels like plastic but is actually an inert mineral. I like Monistat Chafing Relief Comfort Gel and KY Liquibeads for the same reasons. And so far HyaloGyn moisture gel works for me. It burns at first, then ferls good after a few minutes. I think the burn is because it's acidic and my vulvular skin was dry and irritated. It seems like it burns less after 2 weeks of use, and my skin feels healthier.