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[Pixielilac]

Me again, so I thought I was getting Estriol cream as it says on my online doctors notes, I have been given Ovestin by the chemist.
Are they the same or should I take it back to the chemist and ask for Estriol?

[CLKD]

'ovestin' is for treatment of vaginal atrophy.

Get using it ;-)

[Pixielilac]

Thankyou, off to the bathroom right now 

[CLKD]

Sleep well ............. 

[Pixielilac]

So after some great advice on here I asked to be put back on estriol which my half wit doctor took me off a few years ago after being diagnised with VA.
I have had recurring UTI’s, the latest has been going on for a month on and off. I say on and off as I get antibiotics, it eases, antibiotics finish, it comes back.
Just finished a 10 day course, a 7 day then a 3 day course. I always get thrush after antibiotics so treated that and I still have itchy sore area with white bits, it’s not the estriol cream, I had this before I started the estriol again Monday.
I know with VA it takes time for symptoms  to improve, but is there anything I can do to help myself, vitamins, natural treatments, anything?
I am having to take time off work, my sick record is not good due to all the UTU’s I get and having time off.
I spoke to docs today and queried how can previous wee test be ‘borderline’ so they want another wee test and a vaginal swab which I have done.

[CLKD]

Nope other than using appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment.

They probably haven't been urine infections and your GP has been remiss in prescribing so many ABs without referring you to a urology clinic   

Borderline - no such thing!!! as I stated previously.  Don't do another sample and what are they looking for on a swab 

Get the appropriate treatment up there, if necessary two doses tomorrow.  In the meant time, take pain relief: I use 'nurofen', 2 capsules 3 times a day until symptoms ease.  Nothing else will help, as it's a loss of oestrogen = dryness.  I could give your GP a  .

[MrsRoo]

Hi Pixielilac,

I just wanted to post and say that I’m going through this at the moment too. You’re not alone and we will get help and relief for this.

Stay strong,

Roo xx

[Pixielilac]

Thanks for your reply CLKD.
And MrsRoo, it’s a nightmare hope we both get sorted out asap x

[Marchlove]

Hi pixielilac
Horrid aren’t they, I really feel for you.
I had  this issue five years ago with constant infections and antibiotics.
All the advice given here is great but you asked about natural treatments.
I used to find D-Mannose a godsend. Some people take a low dose every day as a preventative but if you have obvious symptoms you have to really take a large dose spread through the day. The powder works better and some brands are better than others.
I found the best brand was PowerHouse,
My husband recently had to have a stent put in before an operation and he was warned that he would almost certainly end up with an infection and have to take AB’s. So like a good fellow he took the D-Mannose for the whole 3 months he had the stent and no infections! The doctors were amazed!
Another thing to try would be the probiotic which from memory is called Femex Forte. It’s especially aimed at providing the good bacteria that your vagina needs.
After all those antibiotics your gut could do with some probiotics too!
Hope this might help but prevention as the other ladies say is the way to go.

[CLKD]

    Marchlove - hopefully your husband continues to make good progress!

[Marchlove]

Thank you CLKD! He’s back to his normal self 

[Pixielilac]

Thankyou so much Marchlove, I am going to look right now for D Mannose.

[Gracie]

D-Mannose is in my store cupboard ready to use whenever another flare up of VA starts to occur. It helps to keep the bladder free of infections as I tackle the VA flareup.  During a recent flare up I took four tablets each day as recommended to treat an infection.
That recent flare up didn't last long, probably four days (should have made notes) and the D-Mannose is now back in the cupboard. It has a long expiry date which is another bonus with these tablets but I would highly recommend them.

When I was first diagnosed with VA it took four months before I had any relief from the symptoms, it requires a lot of patience waiting for Vagifem and Ovestin, including moisturiser, to do their work, but they do eventually!
Throw everything you’ve got at it, these treatments are your only defence against this nasty condition! 

[CLKD]

Agree Gracie!  1 uses VA treatment as necessary, each 1 of us is different.  Also the instruction leaflet in the boxes relate to other types of HRT, which treatment for atrophy isn't and GPs get scared that we 'might be using too much' 

[Gracie]

That leaflet is very misleading and as useless as a chocolate teapot. The leaflet was the reason I was so gobsmacked when my doctor told me I could use Vagifem every day.
Whenever I get a new box I screw the leaflet up and throw straight in the bin, it shouldn't be included in the box as it doesn't apply to vaginal atrophy.