When it comes to treating the physical changes and symptoms that develop from a lack of estrogen, there are a lot of choices- both hormonal and non-hormonal. But while all prescription products claim to treat vaginal dryness and painful sex, there are differences in what these products can do. The specific symptom of genitourinary syndrome of menopause determines which product you should choose, and how to use it best.

In this episode, I discuss which of the following *products to use, and how to get the most out of the following products depending on your symptoms: 

Vaginal estrogen cream (Estrace™, Premarin™)
Vaginal estrogen ring (Estring™)
Vaginal estrogen tablets (Vagifem™ and generics)
Vaginal estrogen suppositories (Imvexxy™)
Vaginal DHEA (Intrarosa™)

Ospemifene (Osphena™)
Systemic estrogen therapy


*I have no financial relationships with any of these companies 

Non-sexual symptoms discussed


Vulvar itching, burning, general discomfort
Urinary urgency
Recurrent urinary tract infections

Sexual symptoms discussed

Vaginal dryness during intercourse
Painful or impossible penetration
Difficulty with orgasm



Other episodes on this topic:
Episode 3: What's Up Down There? Genital Dryness & Misbehaving Bladders 
Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina?
Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things 
Episode 11: Vaginal Estrogen is Not Poison
Episode 15: Post Menopause Orgasm- Everybody Come!
Episode 27:  Using Vaginal Estrogen but Sex Still Hurts Like Hell 
Episode 39 A Personal Trainer for Your Pelvic Floor with Dr. Janelle Howell
Episode 44 A Deep Dive into RECURRENT UTI
Episode 74 Ospemifene- A Pill a Day to Keep Dryness Away 


For more information on this topic: 

Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. She is a certified menopause practitioner of the North American Menopause Society. 

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Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. 

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Books by Lauren Streicher, MD

 Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain

Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat

Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever

The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy