New member grateful to have found this site.
I had urinary urgency and frequency for a few years but didn’t think much of it until started with VA (self-diagnosed). I had it prior to then but didn’t realise till I had an awful flare up of vulval burning and soreness which initially included clitoral throbbing and went to GP. I got swabbed, given antibiotics and sent on my way. I couldn’t walk or sleep. This was 3 years ago.
After tearful lockdown telephone conversations to the surgery and told to use emolient and use Steroid cream I finally got a referral to a dermatologist who prescribed Amitriptyline and Dermol 500 to wash. I still use the Dermol 500 to wipe and wash but gave up the Amitriptyline after 2 years or so – no use. After googling, I asked for, and used, Ovestin internally - didn’t know it could be used externally. Last year I asked for HRT, Estraderm 50 and Progesterone 100. I had asked for it 2/3 years prior due to muscle aches/spasms and having had an early menopause 15 years ago and diagnosed with Osteopenia at that time (fell and broke wrist) but they said they didn’t prescribe HRT for those reasons. Even though it was still up to me, as they didn’t seem supportive, I came away to think about it. Last year I also asked to see a Womens Health Physio after reading Me & My Meno Vagina. It came through as a Gynae appointment. He prescribed steroid cream as thin skin was exposing the nerves and the aim was to thicken the skin. I was sore and burning throughout . On follow up I saw a locum who I told I was stopping using the cream, after 3 months it didn’t work and when I asked why I was using it he said lichen sclerosus. He didn’t examine me and the previous gynae never said that. I told my new GP (I changed surgeries to see if they were better informed!) I don’t believe I have that and she said there is no sign of it.
After 9 months I was bleeding and told to stop systemic and local. I had a polyp removed, hysteroscopy. I re-started HRT and Ovestin. I found this site and armed with knowledge, asked for Vagifem. I was using Vagirux internally x 2 p/w, after the load, but increased to x 5 p/w (against GP advice of x2) and Ovestin daily + systemic HRT. The GP doesn’t seem to have knowledge of VA – she says I have no sign (externally) and other ladies are better straight away on vagirux and until my mood improves I aren’t going to get better. The gynae said I don’t need vagirux if I’m on systemic. I quoted NICE guidelines and when he wrote to GP he had acknowledged that he agreed with me using Vagirux. Then the GP said I didn’t need Ovestin externally if I was using Vagirux but fortunately she has prescribed them. The gynae did refer me to a Meno Specialist (previously a gynae who occupies a new post of Meno Specialist and set up private clinic in the area) and I have had one telephone call from her and get a follow up in a year. She also said only use Vagirux twice a week. I didn’t argue – I despair! I don’t know where I’d be without this site. Thank you all. Sorry for the ‘essay’, I know it’s a familiar story to you all. I wanted to provide a background as this is the only place I trust the advice and need to post a question in the Post Menopause section as I have now been told to stop everything again, systemic and local whilst I wait for results of an Ultrasound after spotting then light bleed after 6 months back on HRT.
