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[vintagefiend]

Hi there,
Just that really!
I'm going to ask for HRT as very knackered and low mood- oestradiol undetectable/fsh v high.
Initially I had sought to rectify my VA using vagifem, but is it worth seeing if the HRT will do that first?
I'm really sensitive to hormonal input but I desperately need it!! So will prob only start with 1 pump per day oestrogel (if that) and vaginal utro (maybe 3 times per week).
I'm 47
Thanks for help

[CLKD]

VA requires treatment for Life.  I don't require HRT as such but do use Ovestin regularly, otherwise: it's like razor blades up there 

Some require both.  As well as 'yes' and 'sylc' products. 

Why did you stop VA treatment?  If you have stopped for more than 3 weeks you need to do a complete reload!

[vintagefiend]

Hello ladies and thanks v much for your info.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear: I went to docs last week to ask for treatment for VA- she wanted to make sure that I'm menopausal before prescribing vagifem or similar so ordered blood test.
Blood test shows I'm menopausal so I return today ostensibly for vagifem.

But, in the meantime, I've decided I'd like to try HRT (for the hundreth time!!!) cos I'm absolutely shattered, mood crap etc
And I wondered if I could still have the vagifem
 It's not very advanced- it's not often painful (and no razor blades!!), but it troubles me in terms of peeing a lot at night!!

It's good to know that I can have both hrt and vagifem if necessary and that there are other localised treatments too.
Thanks again 

[Tinkerbell]

These GP's    You can get severe VA in the peri stage, i did, you dont need to be post menopause.

Using Vagifem will sort your nightime trips to the toilet out, start it now, VA is harder to treat as it progresses and yes you can use systemic HRT and Vagifem, i need both.

[vintagefiend]

Thanks Tinkerbell and Birdy-
Oh god it doesn't surprise me in the least that the gp didn't know she could prescribe vagifem straight away!
And when I went back i saw a male GP who said I'd miss this stage of life- I mean, I can't even digest that little nugget!!
Had to battle to get what I wanted in terms of hrt and I'm just going to do my own regime; I couldn't face asking for vagifem or a referral to specialist gp in leeds- both of which i'd intended to do- just felt silly and anxious.
GPs are just a means to an end at present.
When I told him I'd been offered a hysterectomy he asked why on earth I'd put myself through that!
10 effing years of hormonal misery is why I'd consider it!
menopause needs to be dealt with by specialists in most cases- rare is the GP that's clued up!
Thanks again, ladies- solidarity sisters!!

[CLKD]

Even 'specialists' can be clueless 

Give the surgery a ring and ask for a prescription 4 Vagifem to be left - explain that 1 does not need blood tests etc., that as oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry including the vagina ;-) and ask if they have read the book written by Jane, a very much loved Member of the Forum ;-)

Which reminds me, need to order more of her book .......

Let us know how you get on!

[Tracey E]

Hi you can use Natural and take HRT at the same time. I found Vagifem alone wasn't enough for my VA. I'm now on Estrogel 1.25 pumps per day and Utrogestan twice weekly, I don't need the Vagifem anymore but I do use Sylk during intercourse.

[CLKD]

Tracey E - beware that atrophy may well come back and bite  ..... treatment is usually for Life.

[vintagefiend]

Thanks CLKD and Tracey E,

Right, will strongly request vagifem!
And yes, I've seen "specialists" that didn't appear to have a huge idea as to what I was going through; the go-to meno specialist in Leeds has an appalling manner!!
And v interested in your regime, Tracey, as it's what I'm going to do (or thereabouts).
I'm off to get my oestrogel now- and this time i will try to stick with it!!
Thanks again, ladies 

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.  Read our threads on vaginal atrophy so that you know more than your GP 

[Tracey E]

Thanks CLKD and Tracey E,

Right, will strongly request vagifem!
And yes, I've seen "specialists" that didn't appear to have a huge idea as to what I was going through; the go-to meno specialist in Leeds has an appalling manner!!
And v interested in your regime, Tracey, as it's what I'm going to do (or thereabouts).
I'm off to get my oestrogel now- and this time i will try to stick with it!!
Thanks again, ladies 

Good luck Vintage, hope it all works well for you. I feel absolutely brilliant now I've reduced the Utrogestan. xx

[vintagefiend]

Thanks again, ladies.
Will gen up on VA on here.
And will cross my fingers that this regime works- glad it works for you, Tracey- I seem to be ridiculously sensitive to it- not feeling great after 1 pump yesterday so will do half today!!
maybe it's a good thing if i find minuscule amounts work for me!

[Tracey E]

Thanks again, ladies.
Will gen up on VA on here.
And will cross my fingers that this regime works- glad it works for you, Tracey- I seem to be ridiculously sensitive to it- not feeling great after 1 pump yesterday so will do half today!!
maybe it's a good thing if i find minuscule amounts work for me!

What seem to work for me was lowering the E as well as the P. When I was on a daily P I was having to up the E to keep the hot flushes at bay. Now I've lowered both I no longer have any hot flushes. I don't believe that keep upping the E is the answer to all our HRT woes. Balance is the key. Keep us all posted. X

[vintagefiend]

Thanks again, Tracey- will do!

[CLKD]

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