Millions of women in UK are affected by the health condition and Dr Amir Khan says a certain cream can help symptoms (Image: ITV)
ITV’s resident GP, Dr Amir Khan, is urging millions of women across the UK to give a specific type of cream a go, after consulting their GP, to boost their health and well-being as they reach a certain age. The NHS GP discussed this advice in the new episode of the podcast show No Appointment Necessary, which you can watch in full below.
In the episode, hosts Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey explore the subject of hormones. They discuss how oestrogen cream is ‘changing women’s lives’, the ‘truth’ about testosterone, stress, and why many couples ‘quietly lose their spark’.
He says he has met countless women who, after discovering and beginning to use the cream, return to tell him: “Why has nobody told me this before?”
Dr Amir Khan is known across the UK for offering advice and tips on programmes such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. He also has a substantial following on Instagram, with 755k followers.
When he’s not promoting health education online, Dr Khan works full-time as an NHS General Practitioner and is a partner at The Ridge Medical Practice in Bradford.
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In the recent episode, Dr Khan highlights the benefits of using oestrogen cream, which can be bought over-the-counter at places like Boots, and why millions of women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause should consider it. In the UK, approximately 13 million women are currently perimenopausal or menopausal, according to the NHS, which is a natural part of ageing for women, reports the Daily Record.
He stresses that anyone considering trying it should always consult their doctor first, as it may not be suitable for everyone. It’s always wise to speak with your own GP before attempting anything new or different to make sure it is suitable for you.
Dr Amir also pointed out that women should seek guidance from a gynaecology specialist if they’re considering HRT to receive the appropriate personalised information.
During the podcast segment entitled “The life-changing power of oestrogen cream”, Dr Khan explains why using oestrogen cream can genuinely help menopausal women.
He told viewers: “Honestly I would advise most women, if not all, to get some estrogen cream to put down in the area, because not only does it plump it up and improves the blood flow, reduce risk of urinary tract infections, but it can make sex more comfortable.”
Oestrogen cream can be most beneficial for women going through menopause as it specifically addresses vaginal, vulval, and urinary symptoms such as dryness, itching, and burning that arise from declining oestrogen levels.
This treatment offers a targeted, low-dose localised therapy that remains safe for extended use and creates minimal systemic effects, making it a suitable choice for these particular issues without the risks linked to systemic HRT.
The GP continued: “There’ll be just a small number of women who can’t have estrogen cream topically around the area. There’ll be more women who can’t have systemic HRT. So, patches, tablets, gels, all of that stuff for various reasons. But when you put it just down there, it stays down there. It doesn’t go anywhere else and doesn’t increase your risk of other things that perhaps systemic HRT does, which means you can’t have it.”
Cherry asked: “So, it’s not going to hurt you. It can help you. And it can do so many different things. Can you get it over the counter?” The GP said: “You can in some places. I don’t know if it’s UK-wide, but in England you can get it over the counter. And honestly, I have started so many women on estrogen cream and they come back and say, ‘why has nobody told me this before?'”
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Where can you buy oestrogen cream?
Throughout the UK, the primary oestrogen creams obtainable for vaginal dryness are Ovestin (recognised as 0.1% Estriol Cream) and Ovesse.
Ovestin requires a prescription, while Ovesse can be purchased over the counter following consultation with a pharmacist for suitable women. Additional options include Gynest and a generic version of 0.01% Estriol cream.
Boots is amongst the retailers selling oestrogen cream, including its Ovesse 1mg/g Vaginal Cream 15g Tube and Applicator . Costing £19.95, it has been “clinically proven to restore vaginal oestrogen to relieve dryness, soreness, burning, itching, painful intercourse”.
This is the only vaginal oestrogen cream available without a prescription, although it’s exclusively intended for eligible women aged 50 and over who haven’t had a period for at least 12 months.
Ovesse can be purchased over the counter following a consultation (Image: Ovesse)
A pharmacist will question you to confirm it’s suitable for your circumstances. Should you believe this cream could benefit you, consult your GP beforehand.
Determine whether you could obtain it on prescription or receive something similar. Verify your suitability as well, since Boots’ website features a comprehensive list of individuals who shouldn’t use it.
Boots also sells Menopause and Me Vaginal Moisturising Gel for £7.99. Only buy over-the-counter products from a reputable and verified supplier. If you’re unsure which product is most appropriate for you or have additional health concerns, consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist.
The NHS says: “Common early side effects include headache, abdominal or vaginal pain and bleeding but these normally improve in the first few months of treatment. It can take up to three months to work fully.”
Over half of women don’t realise this menopause symptom
How can the menopause cause intimate difficulties for women?
The average age for a woman to experience menopause is 51. Around 1 in 100 women goes through menopause before reaching 40. Many people experiencing menopause encounter numerous physical and emotional symptoms that can continue for several years.
You can read more on the NHS Inform website. Regarding intimate difficulties, these may include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain and irritation, especially during intercourse
- Light bleeding or spotting, particularly after intercourse
- Unusual or watery discharge can occur.
- Changes in appearance
- Increased frequency or urgency to urinate
- Painful urination
- An increased risk of recurring UTIs.
- Leaking urine, often when coughing or sneezing.
Physical changes related to ageing, such as weight gain or decreased skin elasticity, can impact a woman’s self-esteem and spark anxiety about intimacy. The emotional repercussions of these hormonal shifts can significantly affect a woman’s longing for closeness.
Sleep disturbances brought on by other menopausal symptoms like night sweats can result in fatigue, which may lessen the desire for sex. A healthcare professional can suggest treatments to alleviate these symptoms.
Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturisers can assist with vaginal dryness. Vaginal oestrogen or other types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be prescribed to ease symptoms and enhance libido. Therapy can also help in tackling emotional obstacles and positively influence relationships.
Vaginal oestrogen is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine that contains the hormone oestrogen (Image: Getty)
How can oestrogen cream benefit menopausal women?
It specifically targets vaginal dryness, irritation, and discomfort, making intercourse less painful. It can assist with urinary problems such as increased frequency, urgency, and recurring UTIs.
As a localised treatment with minimal oestrogen entering the bloodstream, it does not carry the same risks as systemic HRT, like a higher chance of breast cancer or blood clots.
This treatment can be used to specifically address vaginal and urinary symptoms, or in combination with other forms of HRT if systemic symptoms like hot flushes are also present. Over time, it aids in restoring the normal structure, elasticity, and lubrication of vaginal tissues.
However, it does not tackle systemic symptoms. Oestrogen cream is designed for local application and will not alleviate other common menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, or mood swings.
Key points to bear in mind:
Many typical menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, fatigue, joint pain, mood swings, and irregular bleeding, can also stem from different medical conditions. Disorders such as thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnoea, and various types of cancer can mimic menopausal symptoms.
Other potential causes include medications, diabetes, infections, and gynaecological concerns like fibroids or cysts. Consulting a doctor can help identify the root cause of these issues.