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[Berto77]

Thanks all for the updates especially to Seahorse and SamEdin for posting all that information on the FOI and response. Very interesting reading and infuriating that in scotland so many women are being refused the bog standard treatment, safest treatment!

I've been given evoral sequi (which seems to be the go to at my GP's practice). I've only just started it in the past week (estrogen only patch) so its too early to say how effective its been. I've perhaps had a bit more energy and less breathlessness but not sure if that is related. I've also had a bit of nausea and headaches although I'm still on my period so headaches / migraines are the norm for me! I am worried about the switch to the combined patch as I head many women struggle with the synthetic progesterones like norethisterone acetate. I'd feel so much better about using a body identical progesterone and I will push for the chance to use it. I've been refered to the menopause clinic but I don't know how long I'll need to wait for that. My GP refused the local treatment for my vaginal and urinary symptoms and my poor vulva was in agony a week or so ago made worse by the fact that I'd had to see a gynocolagist to have my coil removed and a biopsy taken he tried to use a speculum the size of a jumbo jet I think and it was so painful I nearly passed out! He did then switch to a much smaller one but it was brutal and I ended up in tears which was embaressing. Things are feeling a bit better now but I am thinking of getting the Estriol Cream off the superdrug site (£55 though!) to see if it helps and then that might sway the doctor to give me a prescription for it. It shouldn't be this hard to access the treatment we need. I defintely think I will do a letter to my MSP to highlight the issue.

[sheila99]

You could try an email to Dr currie who runs this site, I believe it's £30. Perhaps your gp could be persuaded to prescribe va treatment for you if it's on her advice.
You may find you are fine on evorel, it seems to be the 'go to' hrt in many English surgeries too. Most women are absolutely fine on the first one they're prescribed so the chances are you will be too (I got on well with evorel until I developed an allergic reaction to it some months in). I hope it goes well for you.

[Berto77]

Thank you Sheila I might do that email as you suggest.

I'm prepared to give the evoral a fair trial as I know it might take a bit of getting used to and a while of the estrogen to build up to high enough levels to make a difference, so I think i need to give it at least 3 months. My GP has only given my a months supply so I'll need to check in with her and give blood pressure readings to get the prescription renewed so I'll ask her again about the cream if I'm still having problems then. Was it the patch or the hormones you developed an allergy to? I've heard that some people struggle with the patches but so far so good but I've only used two!

[sheila99]

I believe it's the glue in it. I switched to gel and have no problems with it. Also now on utro which gives me fatigue, I had no side effects from the prog in evorel so although utro is body identical and supposed to be the best it doesn't always turn out that way 

[Berto77]

Ah I see well I think that you can develop allergies to that sort of thing through exposure. I am imagining utrogesten will be"holy grail" but I suppose it may not work out like that!

[Seahorse]

Hi Berto77
What reason did your GP give for refusing vaginal oestrogen? It carries no risks and apparently can make a huge difference to vaginal atrophy and UTIs. Surely much better than repeated GP appointments, antibiotics and referrals to Specialists. Your experience with the gynecologist sounds horrific! Is there another GP in the practice you could see that might have more specific knowledge. I contacted my practice and told them about the free training that Louise Newson's Menocharity is providing and apparently one of the GPs is doing it. The HRT can help with UTIs and VA but some women do need additional localised oestrogen too. It really shouldn't be such a slog. I hope you see some improvements soon.

[SamEdin]

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19541646.utrogestan-petition-women-cant-get-safest-hrt/

[Opal]

Berto77 I am in Glasgow and my doctor prescribed Utrogestin, however your doctor sounds like my doctor I eventually got ovestin but she would not prescribe vagifem as her words it was to much  estrogen, re weight loss i am following a lady on facebook PhalaB she is very good and there are exercise videos for menopausal woman that she does on youtube if you are interested give me a shout and i will send you the facebook address

[VictoryV]

Hi, I’m in Inverness and I was offered Utrogestan and Lenzetto from my GP. I wasn’t aware about the SMC.
The info on this thread is great ladies.
I don’t expect GP’s to know everything but I’m surprised that a female GP admits to knowing very little if anything about the menopause.

[SamEdin]

I attended a private clinic in the Lothian region today.
I now have an Utrogestan prescription.
The doctor was very sympathetic and aware of the current postcode lottery with this drug, esp nhs Lothian.
She did say the Edinburgh NHS menopause clinic have submitted information with SMC and nhs Lothian pharmacy board to try and change the situation.
Fingers crossed.