Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Midnight Shadow]

Had 3 better days from using the Estriol cream on the outer skin.. Went on a busy journey sitting for 3 hours. Could the sitting have aggravated that area. Urethral area burning and stinging all day today.  Dread going to work, because that means more sitting. The Estriol cream does seem to soothe that area sometimes. I wonder why I can have 3 better days and then wham it's back again. Now using Vagifem again twice a week. Maybe I'll try 3 a week. Does vagifem help the outer tissues or just inner?  I notice when I get more hot sweats I burn in the other are. Anyway hope we all get relief soon. Replies appreciated.

[Dancinggirl]

Sitting for any length of time certainly aggravates VA and urethra burning. If that whole area becomes hot then I think this makes things worse. My other theory is that the whole area becomes more squashed when we sit - everything drops with age as well.
I found that the oestrogen creams actually made me burn more - Vagifem was better but even that has fillers that tend to make me burn a bit so that's is why I use vaginal moisturisers like Multi Gyn Actigel (although this can burn a bit when first applied).  I do sympathise - that burning is horrid - do try Vagifem 3 times a week - it does help the external area as well.  DG x

[Midnight Shadow]

Thanks I will try Vagifem 3 times a week. The actigel really burned me when I tried that. My sister says I mustn't keep trying different things in that area and just use was has been prescribed. I know it took about 3 months last time. Patient I will have to be, which I am not.  Seriously thinking about retiring as I have severe balance issues also. Happy days.

[Sweetscarlett]

Hi Ms , I empathise with you , I know too well that terrible burn upon sitting, I found that sitting more towards your bottom rather than directly on yourself ( if you see what I mean) helped , I also found it very irritating to wear underwear too . I am currently on Vagifem, and Hrt and have at last found relief .
I was also using E45 to smooth the outer lips which helped slightly with the burning .
I do hope you find relief , this is a really awful condition
Good luck xxx

[ancient runner]

Hello Midnight Shadow - I've got a neck pillow (horseshoe shaped thing) which I sit on if me undercarriage isn't quite all it should be - it reduces the heat and the squishing which I think can make you really sore. Also, I'm wondering from what you say if you did an initial 2 weeks daily on the cream before dropping down to the twice weekly dose?
Finally - I think the estriol cream is a much lower dose than you'll get via Vagifem - you might be fine on 2x a week of those.
Good luck. It's a pain in the... undercarriage.

[CLKD]

I was going to suggest a rubber ring like the kids use when learning to swim?

Also, have 5-6 nights of using the preparation internally.  For the outer areas I apply Savlon or Vaseline.

[vickypk]

Hello.
Sorry to hear you are suffering so badly with VA and the burning pain.  I suffered from this for years and used estrogen creams all the time, but they never helped me.  The feeling of burning and cystitis every day used to get me down.  I also had blood in the urine all the time and had to see a urologist and had lots of tests.  In the end I was told it was due to the menopause and to use the estrogen cream.  The only thing that has helped me and taken away all these symptoms is Everol Conti patch.  I have only been using this for about 5 months but all good and feel so much better.
Hope this helps.

[CLKD]

  Vickypk!

[lancashirelass]

Estring might be an option for you

[Bluebell1]

Hi All. I am at my wits end as still having regular periods but know im perimenopausal.
I am experiencing horrible depressive mood swings, PMS syptoms last forever , aggression, weepy, irrational, palpitations, panic attacks, foggy brain & dry vagina. I nearly took extra antihistamines as these make me drowsy as cant sleep either. I finally plucked up the courage to see my GP( a female in her 50s) who made me feel like i was wasting her time & if I couldnt cope .. Then i should try anidepressents & HRT.
I researched bioidentical hormones & use progesterone only creme & within a month was feeling much better. My GP said this wasxa coincidence & it was all in my mind.  She only was half interested because My hormone levels..were abnormal ( FSH high & Oestrogen low). She completely dismissed natural hormone cremes & reluctantly tried to discuss HRT..!! I am great on Progesterone but worry that im not monitored or supported. I have gained weight too with it..,im not sure what to do as I dont want HRT ( but may have to ) & fear not having anything at al as was suicidal almost. Can anybody advisec.. Still having periods & slowly going mad..!!! Thank you

[Dancinggirl]

Bluebell1 - Welcome to MM
You need to start your own thread so more ladies can offer support. 
I assume you are using a progesterone cream like Serenity and I believe this is very low dose so is unlikely to bring real relief - the dosage of these creams is unlikely to give any health problems so monitoring is not necessary.  I think there is some anecdotal evidence that these creams can help a little with the peri menopause stage and you are clearly still in the peri stage but our own hormones fluctuate quite a bit in the peri stage so it's difficult to tell whether this cream is actually helping or not. It is usually oestrogen that offers the relief of flushes etc.
Most HRTs have bio identical oestrogen and there are less harsh progesterones available. Perhaps try a low dose of Femoston.
Do read up all the info on this site to get clued up. DG x

[Bluebell1]

Hi DG.
Thank you & for your useful reply. The thing is. I do feel brighter since using the creme. I sleep
For one thing & just do not feel as foggy minded, forgetful & more scary for me was the aggression
& depression symtoms. Serenity helped a great deal. Im weaning myself off and must be a sensitive soul to it as already im having the sleepless night, palpitations & nightmares. It is just weird . Its not helped the vag dryness.
I just find it frustrating that my GP almost dismissed me. I have only being to see my practice on
2 serious occassions & im 47 years old. I appreciate they are under a lot of pressure. So make sure
I keep to the point but just total lack of individualised care or concern. Thank you again & i will try my own thread... Somehow..!

[Dancinggirl]

Bleubell1 - If you feel the Serenity is helping your mood then do continue with it - it is such a low dose it is highly unlikely that there would bring any health problems - it is expensive though and systemic HRT would bring greater relief.  You could ask your GP for a local oestrogen like Vagifem for the vaginal dryness - again this is very low dose and quite safe but can be very good for maintaining a healthy environment around the vaginal area and can also reduce bladder issues that are common with the menopause. As you are peri meno this is a very tricky time - as I mentioned the problem tends to be the fluctuation in hormones but as you get deeper into meno and your oestrogen levels drop you could then seriously consider HRT should symptoms become more problematic. You are only 47 so low oestrogen at this age could give long term health problems like osteoporosis, however, provided you are not overweight or have other health issues that prevent you taking HRT, then really systemic HRT would be your best option.  Natural menopause is usually between 53-64 so you are still young!
It could be well worth trying some systemic HRT like Femoston 1/10 even at this stage as this may well solve many of your problems. If you go into your GP with a clear idea of what you want you will often get a better outcome from the visit - GPs are under pressure and the appointments tend to be rather too short so being prepared is good.  I always write everything down - clearly outline what your problems are and then ask if you could try either the Femoston or at least the Vagifem and see how you feel after 3months. Treating the menopause is difficult and it is really a specialist area that GPs rarely have good knowledge about. Do read the NHS Choices Website as it now clearly outlines treatment these days since the new guidelines came out last November - if need be print out all the info from this site and the NHS site to show the GP and simply say you want to try these things.  Quality of life is important and if the meno is impairing your ability to function well then the treatment is there. DG x

[Bluebell1]

DG. Once again thank you for your time & advice. Your a life saver- literally..! I feel much better
As not feeling like a lost cause & confused .
My GP mentioned that HRT would not help my moods... & that anti- depressents would be more
Beneficial. The antidepressents I refused...
Your choice makes much more sense. I understand the prog amount is minimal in Serenity. Does that mean I would suffer terrible side effects on traditional progesterone..? I have put weight on with this creme too & exercise 3 times per week & eat minimal during the week . With my vaginal dryness. The company who produce Serenity recommend Oestrogen & prog creme but im a bit frightened to attempt. My GP did not seem bothered when I questioned the date my oestrogen level was taken ( this was day 2) and subsequently my oestrogeon was low.. But ive not asked for check later in my cycle. Im not sure if this is significant . My FSH was high as to be expected. Im still having regular periods, no hot flushes or night sweats . My Main problem is the horrible moods, aggression, bloated body & vaginal dryness/ atrophy. I also feel numb vaginally too. I am normally a calm, happy , positive person & the mood swings & darkness are causing problems in my relationship & social/ work life. So your advice is very much appreciated. Thank you .

[Dancinggirl]

Bluebell1 - It's best not to expect the worst if you do try HRT - not every one gets bad reactions.  It does sound as though you are in peri meno so may not be ready for HRT yet - though some find a low dose of HRT very helpful in peri. In the mean time I would ask for some local oestrogen treatment for the vaginal problems - Vagifem is the easiest to use and also get some vaginal moisturiser and use it regularly - there are a variety to try.  Info on vaginal atrophy is on this site so do have a browse. DG x