estradiol cream to prevent urinary tract infections

Posted by luhealth @luhealth, Apr 19 11:03am

I am in my 70s and have lupus. My gynecologist prescribed estradiol vaginal cream as a way to prevent urinary tract infections. It's estrogen based and I'm worried it may contribute to flares. When I discussed it with the dr. she said it should be harmless, but I don't know how much experience she's had with lupus patients. Would like to know if other women have had experiece using this.

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I'm glad for those that don't have allergic reactions (fierce burning and redness) to the inactive ingredients like I do. I tried it 15 years ago and within days my allergic symptoms developed. Recently the gyno recommended I try it again and within 2 days mild irritation and within 3 the area blew up. I discontinued and now about 2 weeks later I'm almost healed.

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Profile picture for gardeningjunkie @gardeningjunkie

I'm glad for those that don't have allergic reactions (fierce burning and redness) to the inactive ingredients like I do. I tried it 15 years ago and within days my allergic symptoms developed. Recently the gyno recommended I try it again and within 2 days mild irritation and within 3 the area blew up. I discontinued and now about 2 weeks later I'm almost healed.

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@gardeningjunkie You know I'm having the same problem and just wander what is about this I'm Allergic to. Thanks for your post.

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I believe I react to the methylparaben, a preservative, it is one of the inactive ingredients on their ingredient list. I have had the 5 Day Extended Patch test for Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD, several times and over a dozen allergens were identified. Four of my positive results were for other common preservatives used in cosmetics and other topicals. Since patch testing I have completely changed my wardrobe and topicals. Yet I was never tested for methylparaben considered one of the safer preservatives, yet if you Google methylparaben and parabens, reactions like we had using this product occur.
Once allergic, always allergic. I am diligent about reading all product labels and have been free of my eczema symptoms for over a decade now. I did read the Estradiol label for this recent prescription and none of my identified allergens were listed. I stupidly did not test the product on the inside of my elbow for 5 days to check for a reaction before using it even though I reacted to it before my allergy testing. I should have know better. Avoidance of allergens is the only way to treat a contact allergen.

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Profile picture for llmartin @llmartin

Great topic and shares. I had to get pelvic floor physical therapy because I was having trouble peeing-crazy but I learned a lot. They told me to put a little dab of estrogen cream in 2-3 times a week. I had a hysterectomy many years ago and this really helped the fragile tissue (I'm 75). And, maybe I'm just imagining this but it seems to help other things too.

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@llmartin i, too, have urinary retention issues. I have been in pelvic floor PT for some time. I was Catherine’s for 8 weeks following surgery and have gone to a number of urinary specialists. The estrogen cream is helping me urinate. It’s a horrible issue to go through in your 70’s.

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