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[CharlotteInBlue]

I joined a year ago because of VA and burning urethra, read every post.  I have to say that I have read the most unbelievable advice on here, it puts my female GP and gynaecologist to shame!   I went to see her armed with information from here  and got Vagifem and Ovestin cream and after a few weeks it went away only to recur this July.  So I read everything through again on here, rebooted Vagifem for 2,weeks and all well until yesterday.  Every time it recurs I forget what I did, how I felt like at the time, timescale etc 

  Now I would personally really appreciate your advice as it seems to start off with a pain/burning in the urethra and I find this confusing as it feels a bit like I am getting a urinary tract infection but I know I am not as no frequency plus urine doesn't look cloudy.  So, when you get a "relapse" like this, what do you do, would really appreciate your advice!  Many thanks

[CLKD]

At least you know that the treatment works.  When I get irritation I do a 're-load', i.e. 2 weeks use every night .  I also take Nurofen to ease any bladder irritation.

[CharlotteInBlue]

Thanks for replying CLKD.  So I should do the 2 week Vagifem reload, even though I did this at the beginning of July?  I decided in July to use Vagifem every 3 nights rather than twice a week as somebody on here did it.  Two weeks ago I thought that my VA was so well controlled that I would try the same two days every week and then the burning came back, perhaps that little adjustment did make a difference!

[CharlotteInBlue]

Thanks Stellajane, my post crossed with yours.  Perhaps I will up the dose a bit

[Dancinggirl]

In my experience, the burning often occurs when the flora balance in my vagina if ‘off'.  I will have some general itching and burning and this will be an indication that bacteria may have taken hold and I'm more likely to get this irritation and burning in the urethra.  I also find if I've been sitting for long periods, so get hot around the ‘lady bits', then this will trigger the urethral burning.
I use Vagifem 2-3 times a week and sometimes more if I get a flare up. I use Sylk (vaginal moisturiser) every day after showering and more often if I feel things are not right around the area.  I also use Multi Gyn Actigel if I know the flora balance isn't quite right (so a general burning and itching around that area) and this will rebalance the flora to be slightly acidic as it should be - this ensures bacteria and thrush can't take hold.  Also, as soon as I feel any burning in the urethra I drink a glass of water with half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to help neutralise the urine and relieve the burning - do avoid caffein and fruit juices when you have the burning urethra.
As the others have said - I'd use Vagifem more often in the short term to help but I'm afraid managing the horrid burning takes a range of tactics to keep it under control.  Dg x

[Maryjane]

I use vagifem every other night , and the other nights I use ovestin in the vestibule on my episiotomy scars.

So 7 days a week there is a form of local oestrogen going onto or into my bits , I also use Gyn-actigel every am/ PM.

I am also on systemic HRT all for the VA , my vulva area is unrecognisable from what it looked like two years ago , episiotomys almost tearing , swollen urethra , labia minors like tissue paper so so thin , clitoral hood right back exposing the gland 😳.

Even my anal fissure has as good as healed , my itchy scaly legs / body are as soft as babies skin again , the list goes on mouth / nose and ears all the mucosal membranes.

I have given up worrying about the amount of HRT required for my nether regions , and live in the now as no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

My GP is absolutely fine with this and said VA is hers and the other lady GPs " bread and butter" .

[CLKD]

July has been and gone, deal with the 'now' symptoms.  Start tonight.

[CharlotteInBlue]

Thanks everyone, such great advice, I will start a 2 week reboot tonight and rebalance the flora as DancingGirl suggests.  I bought Multi Gyn in July(as advised on here) but have hardly used it for the last few weeks so that and the lower dose of  Vagifem might be why I have issues again.  I also read somewhere that taking probiotics of Lactobacillus helps, not sure if anybody else does this.

[CLKD]

I drink Actimel often to keep the bowels regular 

[Tinkerbell]

Many doctors are happy for you to use 5 x Vagifem a week as that is equivalent to the old dose of 2x25mg a week.
In fact I use Vagifem every night, plus Ovestin and systemic HRT too.
I am the same as Maryjane, I don't worry what I use to keep my bits comfortable....and even with that lot I do get blips...today

[Katejo]

Many doctors are happy for you to use 5 x Vagifem a week as that is equivalent to the old dose of 2x25mg a week.
In fact I use Vagifem every night, plus Ovestin and systemic HRT too.
I am the same as Maryjane, I don't worry what I use to keep my bits comfortable....and even with that lot I do get blips...today

So why is it that doctors are so different? Some do as you say above while others mention cancer risks if you request anything more than a local application of a non hormone jelly (even though that might be favourable to taking too many courses of AB)? Is it that the less supportive doctors are either men or women under about 35-40? I would guess that my latest GP is about that age. She certainly isn't over 45.

[Maryjane]

Not keeping up with the latest knowledge , and watching the £££££ not your well fair.

My GP said it is no different than any other deficiency and requires supplementation for LIFE.

They can't possibly be reading the latest guidelines , makes you wonder where else they are missing the knowledge with other conditions.

I no of o saw the male GPs it would be a totally different story.

[CLKD]

Because GPs are cutting costs.  GPs don't keep up to date.  GPs 'won't be told'. GPs have no idea how chronic conditions affect their patients.  I could go on and on and  …………..

We sometimes have to take charge of our treatment regimes.  I self medicate my ADs as necessary and let my GP know every 4-6 months.

[Midnight Shadow]

Could have written this post myself, only just posted a few days ago, saying how great my VA has been. Well today I have been burning all day and going to the toilet spending pennies a lot.  Hope this is short lived. Can you do a re load without asking the doctor? Don't want this wretched burning to take hold again for another 8 weeks or so. Have done a re load before. Am hoping the burning subsides by morning. Thank you for your responses.

[CLKD]

Yep.  Re-load as and when necessary.  Finding a regime which helps and alter as required.