Dr Amir reveals the “life-changing” women’s secret he says “nobody is talking about”
ITV’s resident doctor, Amir Khan, is urging millions of women across the country to consider using one particular type of cream after speaking to their doctor to help with their health and well-being as they reach a certain age. The NHS GP issued the message in the latest episode of the new podcast show No Appointment Necessary, which you can watch below.
During the episode, hosts Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey talk a lot about hormones. They discuss the oestrogen cream ‘changing women’s lives’, the ‘truth’ about testosterone, stress, and why so many couples ‘quietly lose their spark’.
Dr Amir Khan is known across the UK for sharing advice and tips on the likes of Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. He also has a huge following on Instagram, with 755k followers. When he’s not promoting health education online, he is Dr Khan works as a full-time NHS General Practitioner and is a partner at The Ridge Medical Practice in Bradford.
In the latest 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 who are going through perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause should get it. In the UK, approximately 13 million women in the UK are currently perimenopausal or menopausal, according to the NHS. Menopause is a natural part of ageing for women.
He stresses that people keen to try it should always speak to their doctor first, as some may not be suitable to use it. It is always best to consult your own GP before trying anything new or different. Dr Amir also stressed that women should seek advice from a gynaecologist specialist if they are considering HRT to receive the right personal information.
However, he claims he has come across many women who, once they have discovered and started using it, come back to tell him: “Why has nobody told me this before?” During the segment of the podcast titled “The life-changing power of oestrogen cream”, Dr Khan explains why using oestrogen cream can really help menopausal women.
He said: “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 is beneficial for women going through menopause as it specifically addresses vaginal, vulval, and urinary symptoms like dryness, itching, and burning that result from decreased oestrogen levels. This therapy is a focused, low-dose local treatment that is safe for extended use and has minimal systemic effects, making it an appropriate choice for these particular concerns without the dangers linked to systemic HRT.
The GP added: “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. No, 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?'”
Where can you buy oestrogen cream?
In the UK, the primary oestrogen creams used for vaginal dryness include Ovestin (also known as 0.1% Estriol Cream) and Ovesse. Ovestin requires a prescription, whereas Ovesse can be purchased over the counter following a consultation with a pharmacist for qualifying women. There are also other options like Gynest and a generic version of 0.01% Estriol cream.
Boots is one retailer selling oestrogen cream, for instance, with its Ovesse 1mg/g Vaginal Cream 15g Tube and Applicator. It costs £19.95 and 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, but it is only suitable for eligible women aged 50 and over who have not had a period for at least a year. A pharmacist will ask you questions to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Speak to your GP first before trying this cream if you feel it would benefit you. Check if you could be prescribed it or something similar. Also, check if you would be eligible for it, as Boots’ website has a long list of people 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 legitimate and verified retailer. If you are unsure which product is right for you or have any other health concerns, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
How can the menopause cause intimate issues for women?
- 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.
Lower levels of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone can diminish sex drive. This may result in irritability, anxiety, and depression, which can influence intimacy and relationships. Insufficient oestrogen can lead to thinner, drier, and less elastic vaginal tissues, a condition referred to as vaginal atrophy. This dryness and thinning can render sexual intercourse uncomfortable or painful, known as dyspareunia. You can read more on the NHS Inform website.
Other symptoms may include itching, burning, and a tightening sensation of the vaginal opening. Hormonal fluctuations can heighten the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other urinary symptoms, leading to discomfort and pain.
Physical changes related to ageing, such as weight gain or decreased skin elasticity, can lower a woman’s confidence and create anxiety about intimacy. These emotional repercussions of hormonal changes can greatly affect a woman’s desire for intimacy. Sleep disturbances caused by other menopausal symptoms like night sweats can result in fatigue, which may reduce the desire for sex.
A healthcare provider 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 alleviate symptoms and enhance libido. Therapy can also help tackle emotional challenges and positively influence relationships.
How can oestrogen help menopausal women?
It specifically targets vaginal dryness, irritation, and discomfort, making intercourse less painful. It can assist with urinary issues such as increased frequency, urgency, and recurring UTIs.
As a localised treatment with minimal estrogen entering the bloodstream, it does not pose the same risks as systemic HRT, like a higher chance of breast cancer or blood clots. It can be employed to address just the vaginal and urinary symptoms or in conjunction with other HRT forms if systemic symptoms like hot flashes are also experienced.
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 intended for local application and will not alleviate other common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or mood swings.
Important considerations:
Numerous typical menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, tiredness, joint discomfort, mood swings, and irregular bleeding, may also stem from different medical issues. Disorders such as thyroid problems, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnea, and various types of cancer can imitate menopausal symptoms. Other possible causes include medications, diabetes, infections, and gynaecological concerns like fibroids or cysts. Speaking to a doctor can help narrow down the root cause of these issues.