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[Neerb74]

Looking for personal experiences please. After 6 weeks of having 3 lots of anti-biotics, an internal and using God knows how many creams the gp finally said it is due to lack of Estrogen. I have been prescribed Clobetasol and Vagifem. Initially the Clobetasol calmed things down but after almost a week I am still really burning, stinging and itchy. I'm not sure if the vagifem is making it worse?

[CLKD]

Did your GP not send urine samples 2B tested in a Lab. to see if there was growth which required anti-biotic treatments? 

If you are using 'vagifem' every night, initially it's for 3 weeks, some require longer until symptoms ease.  Because the tissues in that area are so dry and thin, there may be burning, so mayB don't push the capsule in too far for a few. nights?  Have U read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads on the Forum; make notes ;-)

Occasionally ladies will add 2 capsules at the same time.  When I get the feelings of nipping I swallow 2 nurofen capsules 3 times a day - it relaxes the spincter as the stream ends. 

I don't know what Clobetasol might be  .  Some find that applying 'yes' or 'sylc' products will help moisturise the whole area to stop the stinging.  Let us know how you get on.

[Dierdre]

It depends how depleted your oestrogen is. It took me about a year to feel 100% and after being on vagifem and ovestin for 6 years now im reasonbly comfy everyday. I was quite bad to start with and also the lack of oestrogen had caused a prolapse that didnt help.  Give it a few weeks and up the dose if its not enough,  I use a minimum of 5 per week and ovestin every night on the outside.

[Neerb74]

Thank you for your replies. 3 lots of urine went off as there was blood in the first one but the 2nd 2 were clear.
I've stooped the Clobetasol as I am not sure if it is that that is making it worse. It is a steroid and my gp said you can use it to calm down the irritation.
I feel awful as husband wants sex obviously but I always feel so much worse after I'm not even using any soap, even the feminine washes are too much .
Can you be referred if things don't improve and if so where to? Gp said I also have a stage 1 prolapse but that is very common.

[CLKD]

Prolapse can be caused by a drop in oestrogen.  It can impact on sexual activity, bowel movements - 'common' means what?  MayB ask for a referral to a specialist or a continence nurse for advice, B4 it becomes worse?

Sex can be done in many ways other than via penetration.    ;-).  Of course men want it but men have to be patient too!  Lots of lube, patience and if necessary no penetration.  Discussion is key.

If the 2nd/3rd samples were clear your GP was remiss in prescribing ABs.  He/she should have cottoned on  .

If your GP isn't helpful, he should be able to refer you to a menopause clinic for which there are waiting lists. 

Keep using the 'vagifem'.  A steroid can thin the skin so don't know what the GP was thinking of  . Stick with the 'vagifem', every night for at least 3 weeks: some ladies require 2 at the same time occasionally: I use 'ovestin', if necessary 1 in the afternoon and the next at night then back to when required 4 my symptoms. 

[CLKD]

Clobetasol  is not recommended on the NHS Advice for vaginal atrophy.  Certainly should not be used internally.

'sylc' or 'yes' may be more appropriate if you require a moisturiser.  Or ask for 'ovestin' for gentle application on the outer labis, which can be used with the 'vagifem' which is internally.  It shouldn't be such a battle but with GPs not knowing/caring about VA, sometimes it turns into a row 

[Dierdre]

Thank you for your replies. 3 lots of urine went off as there was blood in the first one but the 2nd 2 were clear.
I've stooped the Clobetasol as I am not sure if it is that that is making it worse. It is a steroid and my gp said you can use it to calm down the irritation.
I feel awful as husband wants sex obviously but I always feel so much worse after I'm not even using any soap, even the feminine washes are too much .
Can you be referred if things don't improve and if so where to? Gp said I also have a stage 1 prolapse but that is very common.

I'm prescibed Clobetasol by my consultant at the nhs vulva clinic. I find it very soothing whenever i have a flare up and initially used this when i had very sore raw labia and vagifem and ovestin both burned because i was so sore.  Using this up to a month at a time applied thinly does not cause the skin to thin and heals it very quickly, enabling  the use of local estrogens without the awful stinging and burning sometimes suffered because the skin is so raw.

[CLKD]

Interesting Diedre.  MayB it's 'off licence' recommendation ?  That stinging can impact on a lot of issues, even sitting down  .

[Neerb74]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I feel so down about it 😪
Interesting about the Clobetasol as it was the senior partner that prescribed it and the vagifem and he explained that the vulva area is surprisingly very tough so you can use it there and for longer periods. How long did it take to work for you Deirdre? I have found it makes me burn more They have given me fucidic and canestan hydrocortisone too - all burnt 
I think the realisation that this is not going to be a quick fix is really making me miserable. I don't want my husband to even touch me as it is so sore and irritated. I am only using water to wash as anything else hurts but feel unclean as well as everything else!
Thanks again for all of your replies, it really means a lot and is so helpful

[Postmeno3]

It's a miserable thing, but WILL improve with time and patience. I'd suggest not piling on too many different things as it could make things even more reactive and also not help you see what's working.

[Whatsupwiththis]

Neerb74...Your nerves are waking up after years of lost estrogen.  The stinging and burning is more than likely just that.  Hang in there.  Like the other ladies mentioned, it takes a very long time to work but it will.  I would see if you could also get estrogen cream (ovestin) for vulva.  Makes a huge difference.  It took me over a year to feel comfortable most days but even now, after 2 years of vagifem 5x a week and estrogen cream 5x a week, sitting is still an issue though not nearly as bad as before.

Good luck and you will get there.  Patience is a must when dealing with VA.

[CLKD]

Get rid of 'caneston'.  Unless thrush is problematic, it should not be put anywhere near a vagina.  When I used it.  Once.  I spent hours in a cool bath to ease the stinging  . If U use too many products, how will U know which works/not?

'vagifem' is dedicated for atrophy and can take weeks to ease symptoms even when used as recommended.  The idea is for the tissues to absorb the medication = less soreness.  Don't give up.  U may find that once the initial nipping and soreness is eased, that 'vagifem' is enough.  Others find that 'ovestin', 'sylc' or 'yes' products on the labia can help too.  Not all of them .......

[Dierdre]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I feel so down about it 😪
Interesting about the Clobetasol as it was the senior partner that prescribed it and the vagifem and he explained that the vulva area is surprisingly very tough so you can use it there and for longer periods. How long did it take to work for you Deirdre? I have found it makes me burn more They have given me fucidic and canestan hydrocortisone too - all burnt 
I think the realisation that this is not going to be a quick fix is really making me miserable. I don't want my husband to even touch me as it is so sore and irritated. I am only using water to wash as anything else hurts but feel unclean as well as everything else!
Thanks again for all of your replies, it really means a lot and is so helpful

It took a couple of weeks using the Clobetasol twice a day, plus vagifem and ovestin on the outside for the soreness to settle first time i had to use it.. Definitely ask for Ovestin for the outside that was the turning point for me when i started using that as well as Vagifem. Vagifem works fine for me inside but never quite reached the outer bits. I use Cetraben cream for washing instead of soap, on prescription or OTC.

Might be right and off licence CLKD,  but Clobetasol"s a lifesaver with flareups, nips it in the bud in a couple of days now and I know about sitting down, desk job sat 8 hours a day does not help at all.

[Neerb74]

Thanks again for all of your advice you have been so supportive. I've had to send an econsult today as have woken up and my whole vulva is bright red and so sore. I've also come on my period, no way can I use a tampon so have to use towels.
I only used lots of products as I'm 46 they didn't think it was menopausal, so we're thinking it was something else. I will ask for Ovestin when they call. Fingers crossed they can help me xx

[suzysunday]

I feel really sorry for you, it's a horrible feeling and really takes over your life.  I am older than you and we are all different, but it took ages for me to get my VA under control.  I use ovestin and it took about a year to settle, not really bad ALL that time, but to feel normal there was a long term challenge.  After a few months on ovestin alternate nights I did a month using every night, then back to alternate.  I can use less now. I don't use systemic hrt.