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[Eviepf]

Hoping for some virtual hand-holding!

I posted recently about my current issues with (probable) VA, which has manifested mainly as urethral burning and also intermittent increased urinary frequency. Hurdity and others have given me some v.useful advice (thank you again!).  Symptoms ongoing on since early 2011 but worsened in the last 18 months/2 years. I didn't put two and two together re possible link to perimenopause/menopause, but went to see a gynaecologist in February because I'd read accounts on MM from women suffering exactly the same symptoms as me. The gynae prescribed Vagifem, which I've been taking 7 days per week, with her blessing, since March.

Follow-up appointment today. Gynae was glad to hear that the excessive watery discharge which I'd been experiencing (another symptom of perimeno/meno which I had originally never thought could have a hormonal cause!) is now much better. No real change with the urethral burning, however, so she has prescribed me systemic HRT in the form of Estradot patches (37.5 mcg for 4 weeks, increasing to 50 mcg after that if all goes well). She says to try for 3 months - as well as the Vagifem - and, if it's going to have any beneficial effect, I would have noticed a difference by then. 

I had a hysterectomy at the end of 2011 (fibroids) retaining my ovaries - aged (just) 55. Had still been having very regular periods up till then. I'm now wondering if the worsening in symptoms in the last 2 years has been a sign that my ovaries were finally giving up the ghost and maybe that's the stage when I would have hit menopause naturally.  I have no contact with my birth mother so don't know what age she went through it (grandmother obviously ditto) so no help there.

So - I don't think I'm that long past the menopause, (is 57/58-ish quite late for menopause? I don't know) and, after all this time, I'm willing to give anything a go.  The thing is, I never thought I would be starting HRT at the age of 60 (and a half!). This wasn't something I'd expected to be doing as I had luckily had no other menopausal issues other than a few hot flushes.

Any helpful hints/tips which anyone could provide would be most welcome!

[CLKD]

 

What have you to lose?  Age is a number and if one requires medication then give it go?  Your Gynea is one of those who seems to go along with relieving symptoms rather than worrying about how old you are.

You may need to use more Vagifem occasionally to ease symptoms down there.  It used to be 25 delivered, now it's 10  . 

As oestrogen levels drop off the body may dry: nostrils, deep in the ears, vagina, skin as well as causing muscles to Become lax - aches and pains!

[Eviepf]

Thanks CLKD. You're quite right about the need to take medication if it's required - this is something that my husband has been saying all day, in response to me wittering on!

After having a wobble earlier, I have now stuck a patch on and am trying not to think about it, and just to wait and see what happens......