Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Ljb12]

I had surgical menopause in 2015 when I had my ovaries removed to treat PMDD. I've been on estrogen patches (100mcg), Mirena coil and testosterone since then. I've had no menopause symptoms that I know of and all seems fine.

My Mirena tends to run out after 3 years, and I'm autistic with exceptional interoception to hormonal changes so I can literally tell. This time it lasted 3 years 7 months and I knew it had ran out as I started bleeding - and then felt terrible, so low, autistic traits off the scale.

Had it replaced today and was trying to ask GP about having utrogestan as well for it's other benefits like sleep and calming. She said I could try Utrogestan if I didn't have the Mirena but I KNOW the Mirena keeps me stable, and I cannot risk hormonal fluctuations since they are so, so horrible for me. The Mirena DOES have systemic effects for me, it must do or I wouldn't feel so terrible when it runs out, but how do I know if my progesterone and estrogen are balanced, or if I could be feeling EVEN better?

I've also got lichen sclerosis I found out today which can be a sign of hormonal imbalance.

I was wondering about the Dr Louise Newson private clinic but I'm tired of paying privately for things!

Any ideas?

[CLKD]

If the Mirena has served U well then stick with that.  If U feel generally well then don't over think, it may be that U are the status quo on the current regime.  If it ain't broke etc..

How was lichen sclerosis diagnosed and by whom?  There are several threads on the Forum about this condition.  Make notes ;-)

[Ljb12]

Yes, very fair point. Interestingly it was only as it was starting to run out, and then when it definitely did that I started wondering about other options - another sign of the overthinking caused by the fluctuation!

The GP said that looks like lichen sclerosis when she fitted my coil today, but it has gone on my records as candidal intertrigo.

[CLKD]

GPs need, if lichen sclerosis is suspected to refer.  I believe that the way to diagnosis is via a biopsy, some1 will be along to correct me I'm sure ;-)

I'll have to look up candidal intergtrigo .......... was there any difficulty with fitting the coil?

[CLKD]

Your Nurse needs educating!


Candidal intertrigo is a fungal skin infection caused by the yeast Candida, that thrives in warm, moist skin folds.

It's a common type of intertrigo, which is an inflammatory skin condition of opposing skin surfaces due to friction, moisture, and lack of ventilation.

Symptoms include redness, soreness, itching, and a white-yellow, curd-like substance in the affected areas.


Lichen sclerosis diagnosis is typically made through a physical examination of the affected skin, and sometimes a skin biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment, as misdiagnosis can occur, particularly with conditions like thrush or menopause symptoms.

[sheila99]

Insomnia and anxiety are both symptoms of low oestrogen. You could test your oestrogen levels (randox do a home testing kit, as do others) and decide from the results if you need to see someone else. You're unlikely to get more than 100mcg on the NHS so if your levels are low a private appointment might be worth it.

[Ljb12]

GPs need, if lichen sclerosis is suspected to refer.  I believe that the way to diagnosis is via a biopsy, some1 will be along to correct me I'm sure ;-)

I'll have to look up candidal intergtrigo .......... was there any difficulty with fitting the coil?

Interestingly, the coil fitting was horrible. She did a smear first and it was really really uncomfortable, said she needed a bigger something as she couldn't see my cervix. The coil wasn't too bad but did need dilators. I was prescribed vagifem/vagirux by my original gynae (Nick Panay) 15 years ago but I haven't used it in ages as just didn't feel a need. I hadn't realised but sex has been painful and I've had skin rubbing off with a funny smell for a while. I am overweight so I thought it was just where my skin folds are in the groin area. The painful coil fitting did make me think maybe I needed to restart the Vagirux. I'm wondering if some estrogen cream might also help.

[CLKD]

Well any VA treatments won't do any harm!  None of us should suffer with personal care etc..

Get a prescription for 'vagifem' and 'estriol' - insert the 1st and use the latter on the outer labia etc..  U don't need an examination, your surgery should prescribe on symptoms.

There may be a specific powder to use in the 'folds' i.e. something that prevents a possible build up of for example, yeast ['Mycil' springs to mind].  Have a chat with a pharmacist or look on line for ideas to keep those areas freshened up.  That will help overall. 

VA treatment usually requires regular use.  I am aware when my symptoms begin to niggle ;-). 

[bombsh3ll]

If you had your ovaries removed due to PMDD then in my opinion it was negligent to leave the uterus, condemning you to progestogen treatment for as long as you take estrogen.

However if you want to take micronised progesterone there is no harm in adding this to a mirena - millions of fertile women have a mirena for contraception and produce endogenous progesterone at the same time - however this NHS will usually only fund one or the other.

You could buy a short supply of micronised progesterone for much less than the cost of a private consultation and try it to see if it benefits you.

That way, you either know it is worth seeing someone privately to get an ongoing prescription, or it doesn't suit you and you haven't wasted a large amount of money.

[Ljb12]

I've found it impossible to access a short course of utrogestan in the UK unfortunately.

[Dandelion]

I had surgical menopause in 2015 when I had my ovaries removed to treat PMDD. I've been on estrogen patches (100mcg), Mirena coil and testosterone since then. I've had no menopause symptoms that I know of and all seems fine.

My Mirena tends to run out after 3 years, and I'm autistic with exceptional interoception to hormonal changes so I can literally tell. This time it lasted 3 years 7 months and I knew it had ran out as I started bleeding - and then felt terrible, so low, autistic traits off the scale.

Had it replaced today and was trying to ask GP about having utrogestan as well for it's other benefits like sleep and calming. She said I could try Utrogestan if I didn't have the Mirena but I KNOW the Mirena keeps me stable, and I cannot risk hormonal fluctuations since they are so, so horrible for me. The Mirena DOES have systemic effects for me, it must do or I wouldn't feel so terrible when it runs out, but how do I know if my progesterone and estrogen are balanced, or if I could be feeling EVEN better?

I've also got lichen sclerosis I found out today which can be a sign of hormonal imbalance.

I was wondering about the Dr Louise Newson private clinic but I'm tired of paying privately for things!

Any ideas?

Hello
Being symptom free is the ultimate indicator of being balanced.
Dr Louise Newson has loads of free education on all sorts of things, before spending money in a private clinic.
She talks about Mirena, and progesterone, PMDD, balancing.
She's a walking book lol 😀
She has loads of YouTube videos, hangs out on instagram mainly, and her website is drlouissenewson.co.uk, it's got its own search engine.
I'm currently adjusting my HRT with my Drs.
The GP has given me more progesterone as her and the specialist said I need more
The other Dr has increased my testosterone and oestrogen so I am just now trialing the new doses.