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[daisydolly]

I am just over 53 and have been Peri-menopausal for past two years with erratic periods (longer gaps between) and increased period pain but no other symptoms. I had my last period beginning of June and it was barely anything and nothing at all since. I've had irregular mild hot flushes for several months but recently these have increased and been a bit more intense. I'm still having consistent low level period type pains and I don't know if this is normal as I have no one to talk to re menopause as my Mum died sometime ago and my two good friends have sailed through theirs.
I have never had any uti's or any bladder problems before but in May this year was given 3 days of antibiotics for a possible infection as it was hurting when I unrinated (at the end of the stream).
Then 2 weeks ago - I was just back from weeks holiday abroad and started with same symptoms and then blood in my pee too - bright red and pee very discoloured and pain was worse. I had returned from holiday with diarrhoea and wasn't sure if this was connected.
Saw locum GP who tested my pee & gave me 7 days antibiotics but didn't send a sample off for further testing. Said it maybe "honeymoon" cystitis from holiday. Bleeding stopped after 2 days of tablets and pain at end of weeing had gone when I had finished the tablets.
Saw my GP yesterday as I was concerned re feeling stinging sensation in vagina when I last had sex (sex had not been a problem on holiday but after the uti cleared up the first time we tried it had stung when I used KY jelly & then during sex too). I thought I may have thrush due to the antibiotics and I wanted to discuss the urine infections etc. 
GP took swabs & says that it maybe atrophy (she could see some nr my bottom) linked to menopause and gave me some Sylk and said I could have possibly have some HRT cream/tablets/patch but she wanted to put that off for now to follow up on the uti as she was concerned the wee sample with blood was not sent off.
I am now very, very worried - I am not sure if all these symptoms can be down to menopause and looking back everything has happened very quickly within a few months and am also unsure if that can be the case re menopause.
Have now got to have cystoscopy, CT scan and further urine tests and will be seen within two weeks. I suffer from anxiety and I am so worried it's something sinister. 
Has anyone had these tests that could offer me some advice? Any help/advice would be so welcome.
Can anyone offer me any advice re period pains and no period, stinging vaginas and other reasons for recurrent utis?

[Annie0710]

I use local oestrogen daily due to atrophy and repeated UTIs

Only a month ago I came down with a painful kidney infection, took my antibiotics and everything cleared, went to Spain 2 weeks ago for a fortnight and my bladder has been a nightmare, kept getting UTI symptoms, kept drinking, kept clearing then next day it'd all start again.  Come home yesterday after a really uncomfortable time at the airport and on the plane and the sample showed high white blood cells and keytones so dr called me in, they were considering sending me to A&e to have a catheter fitted, I told dr I think it's because we'd had quite a lot of sex on holiday, and although I empty bladder before and after it still happened.  I've more ABs but I think they'll start investigating if this carries on.  I can often feel my bladder getting knocked during sex.  My daughter text me last night saying she thinks I should have a cystoscopy but I won't mention it I'll wait to see how things go

I wish you luck, it's more than likely menopause but always best to get checked x

[daisydolly]

Thanks for the reply Annie x - I'm just finding it all a bit bewildering at the moment as I feel I'm rather ignorant re menopause and then worrisome re the further uti investigation but I know you are right about getting things checked.

[CLKD]

GPs don't get it.   They should be teaching their Staff to send ALL urine tests to a Lab. for testing.  Otherwise anti-biotics are given that may be un-necessary or the incorrect medication for the bug grown.

4 me atrophy was urine infection-type symptoms.   My GP recognised that it was vaginal atrophy and prescribed appropriately.  VA is very good a mimicking urine problems.   GPs often don't link symptoms with thinning of skin.  As oestrogen levels drop so the body may become dry, inside and out: nostrils, deep in the ears, vagina, skin as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Appropriate VA treatment can plump up the thinning vaginal skin which can stop that feeling of needing to pee.  I use Nurofen if my bladder begins to irritate as well as Ovestin localised HRT.

No one is ignorant.  We are in general aware of menopause but are still learning exactly what that might mean in the way of symptoms.

[Annie0710]

They test at the surgery for infection CLKD, every time I've suspected kidney/UTI the sample has shown it to be, and ABs have cleared it x

[Dierdre]

Sounds like you have  atrophy, mine came on very sudden, I'd never heard of it before and I had lots of the usual tests to rule out any nasties before starting hrt.

[Taz2]

Hi daisydolly. In my opinion your symptoms are typical of VA especially as your GP has spotted signs of it around your bottom. Lots of us have had UTI and/or blood in pee as our first sign that something's changing. The stinging during sex is very common too even though the vagina may feel lubricated. Although it is scary to be told you will be seen within two weeks this is because your doctor has to follow NHS guidelines due to your age and not because anything sinister is going on.

Your GP has acted in the right way  to ensure that you get the correct treatment.

My surgery also prescribes an antibiotic for UTI but on two occasions (before the VA was under control) they didn't work as the bugs weren't sensitive to the one prescribed and this can only be discovered in a lab. Most frustrating when we are aware of the dangers of antibiotic over-use.

Please let us know how you get on.

Taz x 

[daisydolly]

Thanks so much for all your replies. X
Like Annie my urine samples were dipped to test in the GPS surgery which did indicate infection - but am definitely feeling a bit wiser now having read some posts on here.
I will update this post later on and also come back for some advice re suitable moisturisers to use long term and advice on possible HRT too.