Estrace Post-Partum?

CarrieB.

So I had my 6 week post partum appointment today and the NP told me that I was "dry" and prescribed me Estrace. She had a coupon for it, so it was free and I picked it up.

Now, I'm feeling weird about it, like she's just pushing unnecessary drugs since the prescription company was handing out free samples or something. I was on hormonal BC for 10 years, then dealing with IF, IVF and FET, should I really be taking MORE hormones? I told her that the oral Estrace I took for FET gave me hot flashes, but she said that this shouldn't be a problem with the topical version. Thoughts?

kaf7

I would use it if you're ready for exercising. Otherwise I'd just wait and see what happens over time. I seem to recall it taking a looonggg time for my hormones to get settled down pp.

kaf7

Also I don't think the topical version should give you hot flashes. I know some kids get it for labial adhesions so I can't imagine it's absorbed much.

Ruthie04

A friend took it to help with dryness, but she took it as a vaginal suppository (our RE had us both do it that way for IUIs). I'm not sure how long she stayed on it, but I'd assume things improved for her when she stopped nursing (they did for me, anyway!).

Saraevh

I used it after I had Jack!  I think I started using it when he was 4 months old.  Between the damage from my 4th degree tear on top of breastfeeding, sex was beyond torturous for me due to dryness so I gave it a shot. I never had any side effects from it.  

I don't know if you experienced this while nursing A, but for me things really didn't get better until I weaned completely.  The estrace helped a little, but I didn't notice a major improvement until I packed up the pump and stopped putting the kid on my boob.  

Saraevh

I do know what you mean though about the hormone thing ... I didn't really want to use it at first either, but my husband was nagging and I figured if I have to give it up every now and then to keep him off of my back I might as well try something to make it a bit more tolerable.    

CarrieB.

Saraevh said:

I used it after I had Jack!  I think I started using it when he was 4 months old.  Between the damage from my 4th degree tear on top of breastfeeding, sex was beyond torturous for me due to dryness so I gave it a shot. I never had any side effects from it.  

I don't know if you experienced this while nursing A, but for me things really didn't get better until I weaned completely.  The estrace helped a little, but I didn't notice a major improvement until I packed up the pump and stopped putting the kid on my boob.  

Yes, this was how it was w A too. I just figured that it's just not comfortable while breast feeding. I didn't know there was meds for it.

TJ1979

My doc told me that since it's topical it doesn't really go into the blood stream and circulate. It gets right to the point and does it's job. I was still too worried about it affecting my already low bf supply so I didn't use it. But I did put it on E for adhesion.

luvboston

I use this almost everyday of my life except whole pg because I have ls and it thins my skin. After LO was born it got me right back to having a good enough vagina for sex. I had major dryness. I never have any side effects as pp said it doesn't go in the blood stream.