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[kp64]

Hi Ladies,
Posted last week about sore vulva area.
Long story, I’ve for many years suffered with health anxiety due to a misdiagnosis of cancer my mum had so everything that happens to me I get frantic.

I had a post meno bleed last year had a scan, doctor looked and prescribed Estirol. I’m not on anything at the moment I’ve been using vitamin E and the usual moisturisers.  To be honest I’m a bit scared about using it.  I’ve had a watery discharge and I thought it was that, that was making me sore, that’s let up a bit but the outside area feels like it’s burning and sore but not really sore to touch.  Today just inside vagina feels sore too. I’ve got the heavy feeling inside too and it it sort of feels like everything is stretched tight, and the wanting to pee feeling. I’ve no one really to discuss this with and someone I did talk too who has VA frightened the hell out of me and now I’m thinking I’ve got something like C.  I had a scan last year nothing horrible found, a fibroid which has been there a while, just given the Estirol which was to be used twice a week the dr said. I’m at a new Surgery now but my health anxiety is so bad I can’t even call the surgery at the moment. Nurse won’t deal you have to speak to doctor. As I’m sitting, it’s burning just inside and on the outside.
Any friendly help I would so much appreciate. Sorry for the long post. Thanks ladies x

[Joaniepat]

Why are you scared of the estriol? It will be a minuscule dose, but targeted to the right area. Have I already mentioned Jane Lewis's Vaginal Atrophy Facebook support group, her book Me and My Menopausal Vagina (Amazon), and about following Jane on Instagram? Loads and loads of support there from ladies in the same position (and many with HA, too!). Have a look if you haven't already.

JP x

[kp64]

Thanks Joaniepat,

I’m just worried in case it could cause C?
I don’t know maybe it’s everything at the moment. I’m just fed up with worrying all the time and sometimes it’s so bad I can’t even eat. I’m just a panicker. X

[Whatsupwiththis]

Hi kp64....you need appropriate VA treatment FOR LIFE.  As joaniepat mentioned, there is nominal estrogen and even women dx'ed with bc can use local treatment.  Check out vagifem.  Easy to insert and not messy.  For the bad news, VA takes a very long time to get under control.  What *might* be happening is that your estroil cream is waking up your nerve endings and tissues in vulva area.   Keep up with treatment.  You may need to go through hell before you reach the other side but YOU WILL.  Check out the variety of different treatments for VA.  I'm on vagifem 5 days a week to keep symptoms at bay.  It took a good 8 months before the vulva finally felt much better.  Some of the ladies get relief in 8 weeks...some less.  You need to get it sorted ASAP.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[CLKD]

Don't talk to others unless it's on here or with a Menopause Specialist ;-)

Why would you have Cancer?  Do you have regular smear tests?  Vaginal atrophy is due to a loss of oestrogen which may make the body dry: inside and out.  Including the vaginal area.

Have a read of the threads here then get some appropriate treatment, you do not need blood tests or examination.  Ring your surgery and ask for 'vagifem'.  The idea is to insert every night for 2-3 weeks.  In the meantime use a good moisturiser several times a day, but one that is designed for the delicate vaginal area: I find KYJelly or Savlon absolutely fine.  It may sting but that shows that the nerve endings are reacting ;-).

[kp64]

Thank you CLKD,

It’s just my HA every time I am a over worrier. Yes smear tests all up to date and had a transvaginal scan last year for post memo bleeding which was put down to the dryness. I will call the doctors I’m just so over anxious all the time. Thanks for replying to me I need to try and calm down x

[CLKD]

...... and breath ;-).

What's the worst that could happen?    My biggest worry is that there won't be pain relief when I require it at the end of Life ! but most conditions are treatable.

The Change.  Does what it says on the tin  and the changes are unexpected which makes HA kick in!

[kp64]

Thank you so much, I’m just a mess at the moment, it helps to talk to those who are going through the same thing. I over think absolutely everything I’m my own worst enemy honestly people must think I’m crazy. I will ring the surgery as only phone appointments at the moment and ask for the Vagifem. It’s nice to have someone to talk too. Thanks again really appreciate it x

[CLKD]

It's not something that we talk about publicly do we?  So being in a safe group who have had similar symptoms which ease with treatment is the way to go.  This is from someone who didn't think we 'needed internet' 

Let us know how you get on!

[kp64]

Thanks ladies for all your helpful advice I’m going to ring the Dr for a appointment and will report back when I’ve spoken to them. Thank god for this group. Xxx

[CLKD]

Make a note of symptoms so that you don't forget anything ;-)

[kp64]

I will do thank you x

[Mulberry]

Hi KP64.. I know first hand that it’s difficult to manage a health anxiety even with reassurance.

Back at the beginning of the year I had a tumour removed from my kidney that was cancer. I had to push so hard to get anyone to do anything about it as everything seems to get blamed on middle age and gender when you are female. Unfortunately since that experience I have absolutely no trust in the medics and do worry. I have convinced myself that if I don’t police my own health that no one else will with disastrous consequences. I also have severe VVA and I’m 51 and post menopausal.

I have the genitals of an average 80 year old and I know how miserable it can be. The information the other ladies have given you is good. I bought the olive and bee cream after reading Jane Lewis book and it’s really nice to use. It won’t cure the VVA but can help you be more comfortable. I find my clothes feel way better after a decent application of it.

I also use the vagifem and a combined continuous patch. I tried to avoid the HRT until I started to pee my pants all the time. I didnt know it was the VVA that was the cause of it I must admit. I thought a previous repair I had done had failed after the kidney thing.

We are all different and have differing priorities. Although I am anxious about my health due to my experiences I also don’t want to pee my Pants for the next 30 years for a start... and that’s just one of my hideous symptoms. I think I am trying to say... probably badly so I apologise...that the health anxiety is a bit like your mind playing horrible games with you.... but you know the VVA is real in the moment.

I think all we can do is go with what we know. For me the vagifem is still early days to have any real effect as yet but it’s easy to use and not messy at all like I expected.

I hope being here helps at least a little bit. For me it’s my lifeline somedays.

[kp64]

Hi Mulberry,

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience, and I really do understand your anxiety. I hope your feeling a bit better now.  I have just tried to get on with it really as I am a little worried about using the HRT cream.  I know I need something to help as I’m just so uncomfortable, I have had to take medication for the anxiety but It didn’t help much and caused some side effects so I came off it.  I found myself googling, I know you shouldn’t do that and I certainly shouldn’t as it always comes up with worst case scenario and I find myself in full panic mode, so much so I dread the thought of talking to the doctor on the phone.

I can be fine for a while then something will trigger me off again. 

Thank you for taking the time to reply and I hope you find the Vagifem helps you and you continue to keep well.

I have read up about the cream and it seems a very low chance of causing anything nasty that is what was worrying me really.  I will contact the doctor and update you. Thanks so much. xx

[Mulberry]

Yea do keep us updated chick. Hopefully you have a decent and approachable GP.

Doctor google is your enemy lol. I know this to be true even though I still do it myself. There is nothing that he doesn’t think I might die from  This week he thinks I have Addison’s disease! I dont think it hurts to have information to allow you to make informed choices. I didn’t want HRT in any form but the reality is for me that I am more prepared to accept any slight increase in risk to have an improved life.

I have never been an anxious person in my life at all. It got to the point where I had literally lost the will to live. The rage I can deal with but the other anxieties less so. I do think that the anxiety has stemmed from my menopause. I have only been on the patches and vagifem for 2 weeks so although I’m still peeing my pants my brain is clearer and I’m a little more settled in my mind.

I’m trying to avoid the triggers and that is easier than it was before. I used to be able to spend 4 or 5 hours a day in total with Doctor google! Big mistake.

From what I understand the creams and other topical vaginal preparations have a very very small risk of anything at all. There is a bigger risk of you remaining uncomfortable. That’s just what I think.

Try to have a good day chick.