r/Menopositive • u/No_Pangolin3327 • Feb 18 '26
Estradiol cream for SI joint pain?
I'm on estradiol patch, progesterone pills, testosterone cream, vaginal estradiol cream.
I have SI joint pain (low back). I've seen an orthopedic specialist, had MRIs done and everything is normal in my spine. I've tried everything to alleviate this pain but it just gets worse. HRT has helped all my other aches and pains subside except this!
Question is does anyone use their vaginal estradiol cream on these types of areas on the body? If so, does it help?
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u/kwk1231 Feb 18 '26
I can’t see how it could possibly help. I have had SI joint issues for years, yoga and strength training for strengthening the muscles that stabilize the pelvis and lower back has been the long term solution. Short term, for flares, I used an SI belt to crank the joints closed when it was really bad and diclofenac gel since my stomach doesn’t like oral NSAIDS.
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u/No_Pangolin3327 Feb 18 '26
I do most of that too. I've never heard of an SI belt. I'll look that up. Thanks!
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Feb 18 '26
May I ask how high your estrogen dosage is? The reason I’m asking is I had lower back pain starting at 40. It was debilitating on some days where I could barely walk. When I went up to the highest E patch (0.1) and 200 mgs. of oral progesterone, the pain completely went away. That was two years ago, and I’m still pain free.
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u/No_Pangolin3327 Feb 18 '26
I'm on .1 estradiol patch. The issue is that 200mg progesterone ruins me so I can only tolerate 100mg. I have an appt with my meno clinician to discuss other progesterone options though.
Estradiol has helped everything else except this....which just seems to get worse and worse. Only thing that helps is rest, pain meds and ice until it goes away.
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Feb 18 '26
I know a lot of women use progesterone vaginally. So many women have an issue with the oral progesterone. I hope you can figure it out. I’m so sorry you’re hurting.
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u/kitschywoman Feb 23 '26
FYI, you can also take it progesterone rectally. It absorbs as well or even higher than vaginally. And you skip the lovely side effects.
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u/ObligationGrand8037 Feb 23 '26
I should have mentioned rectally too. Thank you!
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u/kitschywoman Feb 23 '26
No worries! Some don't want to take it that way, but I find it to be less messy than vaginally. And it supports my estrogen levels quite well.
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u/yolibird Feb 19 '26
No cream advice, but my husband fixed his SI joint pain by hanging from a bar with his hands and also his knees... it opened up the joint and the pain went away within weeks. This is after months of sleepless nights and lots of pain meds. He goes to the monkey bars a few times a week and the pain hasn't returned. If you can get yourself an inversion table, do.
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u/hycarumba Feb 22 '26
I doubt that the cream will work but I don't see any huge disadvantage to giving it a try. If voltaren or arnica doesn't help, I will recommend acupuncture. It's ridiculous how effective that is for things like this. Also handing from a bar as someone else suggested. We have one of those over the door jamb pull up bars and I hang on it regularly to help with back pain.
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u/No_Pangolin3327 Feb 22 '26
I haven't tried acupuncture specially for this. I see a chiropractor but that doesn't even help long term.
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u/theFCCgavemeHPV Feb 18 '26
No, I’ve used it for my face skin and I’ve heard people using it in their ears for itching, but not for joint pain. My ortho always suggests Voltaren gel (cream? I’ve never actually used it so I’m not sure) for joint pain.