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[Mintea]

I'm 63 and have been putting off having a smear test due to a really bad experience a year ago when the doctor couldn't do it. However, I've just had one to day and although initially very painful when the speculum was inserted it then was ok when she tried a different angle. The doctor said I looked very sore and would prescribe  some pessaries. I told her I had been using  vagifem for a few years and she said vagifem doesn't contain estrogen!!!  I told her it did and she looked this up and realised it does but I lost faith in her after this as she is meant to be the womens health specialist at our health centre! I asked if I could try intrarosa but she said she couldn't prescribe this and only specialists could. I then suggested estriol weaker cream than ovestin but she told me that all creams were the same strength! I know she is incorrect about this but am so fed up of having to tell doctors what they should know. I use ovestin quite regularly but after inserting it every night for a week became very sore and so now tend to use it mixed with moisturiser on the vulva.
I asked her if she could prescribe something to wash with and she said I could use yes moisturiser to wash with and prescribed that!!  Does anyone know if this is true? I felt so disheartened after my appointment with my doctors lack of knowledge so am venting here!

[CLKD]

'yes' and 'sylc' products can be useful - have a lookC at the appropriate websites.  I think it's over the counter .......  I use KY Jelly or a smear of 'ovestin' on the outer labia, not required every night fortunately.

There are different methods of taking a sample these days, none of which I find comfy.  Did U have to request the appt.? 

Every day is a learning curve.  GPs don't know everything; at least she looked it up !  MayB point her in this direction ;-) .  As well as suggesting that there is a copy of "Me and My Menopausal Vagina" in the Staff room . 

Let us know how you get on. 

[Joaniepat]

Regarding your last question about washing with Yes moisturiser, er, no. However, Yes do a product to wash with. A better and cheaper product would be Cetraben cream, as recommended by both my GUM specialist and vulva dermatologist. You can by a little pump pack in Boots quite cheaply.

As to the rest of your post, nothing would surprise me these days. The women's health GP at my surgery tells me HRT is "very dangerous". 
JP x

[Mintea]

'yes' and 'sylc' products can be useful - have a lookC at the appropriate websites.  I think it's over the counter .......  I use KY Jelly or a smear of 'ovestin' on the outer labia, not required every night fortunately.

There are different methods of taking a sample these days, none of which I find comfy.  Did U have to request the appt.? 

Every day is a learning curve.  GPs don't know everything; at least she looked it up !  MayB point her in this direction ;-) .  As well as suggesting that there is a copy of "Me and My Menopausal Vagina" in the Staff room . 

It always feels like having to tell someone how to do their job. I don't mind if GPs admit they don't know and make an effort to find out but when they try to pretend they do it gets a bit much.
It was picked up at my diabetic review that I needed the appointment.

[CLKD]

It really is annoying.  I expect my GP to be aware or at least be prepared to listen, so far he has: he diagnosed my VA over the 'phone after repeated urine samples were not sent to a Lab.!  The 1 that was showed no growth at which point he rang to suggest VA treatment.  Worked thus far.

[Mintea]

It feels like such a battle all the time for me. I was under the menopause clinic but haven't heard anything from them for months about a review.Also, following on from my smear I've been diagnosed with 2 grade 1 prolapses - it's all quite depressing really.

[applejack]

Good grief, I'm not surprised you've lost faith in her.

I've used Yes and found it very good, but a bit expensive. It did help though. My meno specialist recommends it too.

[Taz2]

It feels like such a battle all the time for me. I was under the menopause clinic but haven't heard anything from them for months about a review.Also, following on from my smear I've been diagnosed with 2 grade 1 prolapses - it's all quite depressing really.

Depressing of course but a grade 1 is really small and you have a chance now to improve things before it's too late 

[Mintea]

It feels like such a battle all the time for me. I was under the menopause clinic but haven't heard anything from them for months about a review.Also, following on from my smear I've been diagnosed with 2 grade 1 prolapses - it's all quite depressing really.

Depressing of course but a grade 1 is really small and you have a chance now to improve things before it's too late 

It would have been nice if my GP had  mentioned the treatment options for me so I could try to prevent them getting worse but she seemed to think it was enough to say I had them. I wasn't really on the ball after my smear but did ask if I could be referred to a womens pelvic physio. This seems to be something else I need to chase up.
 

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.

[Cara999]

Oh my days if your GP doesn't know Vagifem has estrogen on we are all doomed!! Thats pretty appalling 🙃

I use dermol to wash recommended by my gynecologist xx

[Mintea]

Good grief, I'm not surprised you've lost faith in her.

I've used Yes and found it very good, but a bit expensive. It did help though. My meno specialist recommends it too.

I know, especially as shes the 'women's specialist'