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[Nas]

Hi ladles,
Well I’ve stopped the femeston Conti now as it just wasn’t doing me any good. I’ve reverted back to my 75 patch, but the period pains are awful. This is the strength that I was on for 16 months previously and things did settle, (other than the bleeding. )

Common sense tells me that I probably need to build up again slowly? But my bladder is so dreadful ( waiting for appointment in vulva clinic) that I can’t bare to have to wait to see if bladder improves, as it’s so irritated now, I’m also worried that the damage is irreversible how.

Essentially I feel such a mess 

[sheila99]

Did they say anything useful at your appointment?

[Hurdity]

What progesterone are you using alongside the patch? Essentially Femoston conti is low dose hRT and 75 mcg patch is considered high dose - on average. So yes the increase will be quite dramatic!

Oestrtogen alone should not give you period pains but if you hsve gone from the conti tasbelt to oestrogen slone, then you haave withdrawn progesterone and this means that any lining that has built up will come away as a bleed. Hence the period pains. Even if you are taking progesterone, the change could also  cause a bleed if they are absorbed differently.

Sorry to hear about your bladder - what is the problem?

Hurdity x

[Nas]

I missed the call from Chelsea and Westminster and they didn’t call back.

I am now with Liverpool women's hospital as it’s closer.  The private specialist I  saw last year ( because Chelsea wouldn't alter my progesterone) has expedited my NHS appointment and I’m waiting to be seen.

So essentially I’m waiting for a Mirena to be fitted and for my insides to examined.

Just wondering how to cope in the interim.

[Nas]

Thanks Hurdity,

You are quite right, the switch from femeston to the 75 is a huge jump I agree.

The progesterone which i take is utrogestan nightly. Unfortunately this doesn't control the bleeding on the patch ( which other wise suits me well and is the only reason I switched to femeston) So, I’m waiting to have a Mirena fitted for the progesterone element, in the hope that I can continue with my patch.

In the last 6 weeks of taking femeston, the urgency to wee has become greater and I’m going all day and night. I’m dry as a desert and my bits have shriveled. I use daily vagifem, yes and ovestin. I did not have either of these issues on the 75 patch and didn’t even need to use vagifem that often.

X

[Gnatty]

Since you know the 75 patch suited you before I would make my decision whether to stick with it or reduce then build up based on how it's making you feel. You know you are getting the mirena, so that side of things will be sorted. You are desperate to relieve your VA so you want your oestrogen levels up asap. It's just a question of whether you can tolerate the sudden rise and probably those few days of feeling a bit jittery etc x

[VictoryV]

Hi Nas,
Glad you’re getting help.
Since the doctor has said all these issues are due to low estrogen and you’ve got experience with the 75mcg patch I would put the 75mcg on asap. I’m assuming you’re off work for bank holiday so you have a couple of days to deal with the possible jittery effect.
When my HRT was changed due to shortages I got similar symptoms which have gone now I’m settled on new stuff.
Good luck. :)x

[Nas]

This is it Gnatty.
I’m probably going to bleed any day because the utrogestan doesn’t work properly, but I guess I have to keep taking whilst I wait for the Mirena (or not if utrogestan is  ineffective?)

It’s just the complete switch of regime which has thrown the body isn’t it?

X

[Nas]

You are right Victoria
The name of the game now is, to get a reasonable about of Oestrogen back into the body. I can’t believe what’s happened to me in 12 weeks. Can’t even bend my hands properly as so dry and cracked.

How are you doing now? Feeling any better? Xx

[Nas]

P.s Hurdity ( or anyone) please tell me that the bladder and VA issues aren’t permanent now?? They are making me feel very depressed at the moment.

With sufficient systemic  Oestrogen, could they improve?

[Joaniepat]

P.s Hurdity ( or anyone) please tell me that the bladder and VA issues aren’t permanent now?? They are making me feel very depressed at the moment.

With sufficient systemic  Oestrogen, could they improve?

VA symptoms need ongoing maintenance treatment with local oestrogen. Systemic oestrogen doesn't necessarily treat VA. You can join the private Vaginal Atrophy FB support group where there is plenty of information and support.
No need to be depressed, it will get better with the right treatment and it is very common, loads on here dealing with it successfully 
JP x

[VictoryV]

Covid really knocked me but peri stuff has been great. I like the new HRT!
I had frequent need for bathroom and the disappearing sore bits! All gone, the disappearing bits came back with Ovestin and I used twice the amount recommended for a week, GP told me to. The soreness went very quickly and wearing no clothes helped, appreciate you can’t go to work half dressed though!
As soon as I tested positive for Covid I upped the HRT as so many women have reported it interfering with their usual routine, I think doing that helped me.
I haven’t used Ovestin for weeks now so I think the systemic has helped.
Post crossed with Joaniepat’s, I don’t think I’ve had full blown VA, I’ve had borderline occasional symtoms and think I’ll use Vagifem once a week in the hope it keeps it at bay.

Hope you get relief soon, the disappearing bits do come back! X

[VictoryV]

Nas,
Dry cracking hands, do you have a good, thick night cream to put on? Or olive oil or melted coconut oil?  I had dry chapped lips and my gp told me to use Ovestin, it worked well!
Vaseline, aqueous cream is also good for hands, lashings of it! If you have time to apply loads and then put surgical gloves on for 20 mins that will help moisturise them too.

[Gnatty]

Just to add, testosterone really plays a part too with VA. X

[VictoryV]

Totally agree Gnatty, I upped recently and I’m sure it helped with bladder. It stopped my nocturia back in September within 3 days. I think we need to be prepared to tweak HRT through our journey.