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[PeanutbutterCup]

Hello,

What do you ladies think is best to use for that uncomfortable pressure like feeling like you need to wee all the time - Ovestin or Vagifem?

At the beginning of the year a nurse practitioner prescribed Vagifem but I didn't use it as this was long before I figured out my symptoms were a result of being perimenopausal. I had to figure this stuff out for myself as my young female GP is useless (wish I'd listened to the nurse practitioner when she first suggested perimenopause - silly me - I thought my GP would know better - lesson learned!).

Anyhoo .... I've been using Ovestin for 4 weeks now - a 2 week load and then twice weekly for 2 weeks. I think it is making a slight difference but I am wondering if I should give the Vagifem a go and see how I get on with that?

What are your thoughts on this and can I just stop with the Ovestin and move onto Vagifem? Sorry, this is all new to me.

[CLKD]

Why did you go to the Practice Nurse?  Often they are more informed and more willing to prescribe HRT as appropriate.  As you say, lesson learned.

I was given Ovestin with success.  Some ladies prefer the other method of insertion.  Don't keep chopping and changing, rather go back to using Ovestin nightly for another 3-4 weeks and see if symptoms settle.  Also, try taking a pain relief medication to stop any slight irritation?  Works for me 

[CLKD]

I don't find ovestin messy at all but cleaning the applicators and remembering to put them back into the bedroom in case of visitors to the bathroom 

[PeanutbutterCup]

Having been back and forth to my GP with my symptoms and getting put down every time I mentioned the possibility that this was all hormone/perimenopause related, she latched onto the idea that I had thrush so sent me to the nurse practitioner to get some swabs.

It was at that point the nurse practitioner suggested and prescribed Vagifem. As my GP was adamant my symptoms weren't hormone related, at the time I thought "surely a GP knows more than a nurse practitioner" so didn't start with the Vagifem.

I mean surely it's normal to put your faith in a GP and trust they will do what's right for you?

Boy oh boy was I wrong! When the swab results showed no trace of thrush I began to wonder how clued up my GP actually was and began doing my own research.

That's what led me to this forum so I guess every cloud has a silver lining! I am just so amazed that a GP, particularly a female one, has no clue and isn't prepared to listen. From now on I will always try to see the nurse practitioner.

[Tinkerbell]

I started with Ovestin for my severe VA, I asked to switch to Vagifem as I felt the Ovestin wasn't working so well after several months and prefer the Vagifem so am sticking with that, I still use Ovestin on the outer bits if and when needed...which is now as I am having a bit of a blip

[Joaniepat]

If you do switch to Vagifem, you will need to do another 14 day initial load up. No harm in trying it. I was told by a consultant gynae that Vagifem is better for urinary symptoms than Ovestin, but I didn't ask why that was. It is a different oestrogen though, estradiol rather than estriol.
JP x

[CLKD]

Also: many years ago vagifem was a lot stronger, I think 25 rather than the current 10 which is why many ladies need to use it nightly.

[Joaniepat]

Very true CLKD, I forgot to mention that!
 
JP x

[CLKD]

I don't know what the 25 or 10 amounts are though 'cos that's sums   

[Dierdre]

Use both. I use Vagifem in the morning and Ovestin at night every day it's such a low dosage.