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[Jasmine20]

It boggles the mind that a GP could tell a woman they can't get VA in perimenopause.

I developed VA aged 50 with UTI symptoms. I'm nearly 53, I still get monthly periods and I will be using VA treatment for life. I have three sisters and none of them have had this issue but are all menopausal. I must have pulled the short straw!

[Peripurple]

I had exactly the same experience as tinkerbell, I had just turned 40, and was told for over a year it was thrush/bacterial vaginosis etc.  Then a lovely practice nurse told me I should speak to my GP about trying vagifem, I had itching and burning all the way back to my bottom, burning urethra and urgency.  It took a year of daily vagifem and now it is mostly under control, although still have bad days.  This is something I feel very strongly about and feel doctors need to be educated that this is so much more than “vaginal dryness” I have never actually experienced dryness just everything else, and it is not a problem just associated with Post menopause.  After my experience I actually asked on here who else had experienced this is perimenopause, and for a lot of people including myself it is their first symptom.

[VictoryV]

Apart from the anxiety returning VA is my most feared symptom; I hope I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t get it. My Mum won’t tell me if she has it or not. I’ve got Ovestin and Vagifem ready just in case I get it and I put Ovestin on twice a week to hopefully prevent it.
Bungo, I hope you don’t have it but if you do then at least you know early on.

Good luck with your GP.

Victoria☀️

[CLKD]

Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads on the Forum. Make notes ;-)

Get a copy of "Me and My Menopausal Vagina" written by a Forum Member.  Read then pass to your Practice Nurse.

[Bungo]

Thanks everyone. I don't know if I have it or not, but sickening that GP ruled out immediately.
I forgot to ask, do dryness symptoms come and go? I have times where pretty bad and then eases again.

 Curiously I had very bad  for a few days after my covid vaccine and also the day after my flu vaccine(which had last week). Coincidence I'm guessing or maybe because immune system was on overdrive?

[Lyncola]

Bungo when I first had VA it was on and off for the first three months, then it was permanently on

[Dierdre]

Same here, didn't have a clue. By the time i finally went to the doctors i was a right mess, the lack of estrogen had also caused a grade 1 bladder prolapse It took about a year to get right again.

[CLKD]

Hormones fluctuate.  Get some appropriate treatment to C how better U will feel ;-)

[Whatsupwiththis]

Ditto.  I wasn't dx'ed until 68.  I was constantly experiencing  bladder problems (went thru menopause without too many issues) but at 68, all hell broke loose.  Never heard of VA (GSM is actually the recent terminology) and was shocked to finally find out what was causing all the bladder issues.  Since being on Vagifem (2 years now), things have mostly settled.  Age and everything that goes with it is better than the alternative.

[Bungo]

Used the steroid cream the  past few days and it is helping , something in the cream to also reduce inflammation. I'll be starting hrt in a month's time so be interesting to see if that sorts it . I've been so concerned about having thrush that my partner and I haven't tried having sex since start September , so don't know if have any issues with actual vagina. Although did have smear 6 weeks ago and that was no problem at all. Thanks everyone for the advice

[CLKD]

I wouldn't put steroid cream below my knees  unless under weekly supervision  when there is appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment available.  U may find that HRT will sort it but it's not a cure all.  it can take a while to find an HRT which suits too depending on how hormone levels are.

[Bungo]

I wouldn't put steroid cream below my knees  unless under weekly supervision  when there is appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment available.  U may find that HRT will sort it but it's not a cure all.  it can take a while to find an HRT which suits too depending on how hormone levels are.

I'm only using for 7 days, although you've scared me now so may only use for 5. Canestan also has steroids . Is there any test for VA or is is based on symptoms? Thrush can have so many similar symptoms it seems so maybe if I just get a test to rule that out, then would indicate its dryness due to low oestrogen. I forgot to mention , I have had piles for years,. (never really bothered me previously) so maybe the anal itch(the worst part) is due to them? I'm vegan so have at least 4 bowel movements a day which doesn't help irritation

[CLKD]

There is no test for VA.  It's a loss of oestrogen.  Appropriate VA treatment is less likely to cause problems later on.  Some GPs like to do an internal exam but it really isn't necessary - VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well which is why too many antibiotics are prescribed  when VA treatment would ease symptoms.

Steroids are for short term use.

Piles can certainly be aggravated by atrophy as dryness can affect the whole body: inside and out.

[monicap]

Sound like VA. Unbelievable ignorance from your GP. For many women it does hit in the years after the menopause but for some of us it's the first symptom. Looking back I can see I had the very earliest signs of it from my mid-thirties. Way before my periods became irregular and the hot flushes started. The sooner you start on local oestrogen the better! My GP was very dismissive when I asked for my hormone levels to be checked at the age of 44 and only started taking me semi-seriously when I explained my mother can gone through the menopause at the same age.

[Bungo]

Update. Went to a male GP who was fantastic and said nothing to lose by giving it a try for a month to see if helps.if doesn't he said I need to go for a swab. Was prescribed vagifem and will use but tbh when I see the amount of plastic in the one use applicators, I can't justify using it. Does ovestin come without applicators?