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[Jules]

My GP won't prescribe continuous vaginal estrogen. I've also read other medical sources that suggest a break is required. I've asked this question before.  What are any of you being told? If I stop the effects that have built up, they just reverse, however I do not want to risk more serious side effects. I think I've been using it for 6 months.

[Dierdre]

You don't need to have break. Local estrogen is for life and each time you stop taking it you will go back to square one. Your GP needs to keep up with current guidelines and is not correctly prescribing your treatment.  Local estrogen is safe, you can buy it OTC now.

[Flossieteacake]

I agree with Diedre. I use Ovestin daily and have done for two years. Sometimes I use it twice a day when my VA is bad. I think the idea of a break is outdated and ignore that.

I would talk to the practice manager and explain this is outdated advice and the practice needs to update their knowledge. VA is for life and stopping treatment is going to mean it flares again.

You can buy Gina over the counter which is like vagifem but your practice should really be giving you the amount you need.

[CLKD]

Gina is for ladies over 50 who haven't had a bleed for 12 months  .  U could of course tell fibs, however, the Pharmacist will take medical details B4 selling it.  [Boots]

Buy your Practice manager a copy of 'Me and My Menopausal Vagina' ;-) written by a forum Member.

[Ayesha]

I've never been told by my surgery to take a break and I've had my prescriptions reviewed recently with one medication (omeprazole) being reduced to half a dose.

No mention of reducing Vagifem because they know that it's counter productive to do so, the vagina will start to degenerate again meaning more loading doses.
They would have a fight on their hands if they told me to have a break. I do that myself anyway, and I find it impossible to reduce my daily treatment.

[Jules]

I've finally got another prescription but I've had 2 weeks without so do I need to do a reload? I might try to change my GP. I'm 65, I can buy over the counter stuff but why should I when I'm finally entitled to something free because of my age. The first time I ever used it I had bleeding and had to stop and have a scan, the second time I had breast pain but I've used it for 6 months with no ill effects. If course there's always the niggling worry about increased cancer risk. There's just not enough support for us older women. We struggle to even contact our GP surgery. They keep adding messages that you have to listen to repeatedly before you then have to wait in a phone queue and I'm sure it's to deter people from phoning. We are doing DIY at present.  It's a DIY NHS.

[CLKD]

I would re-load for 5 nights straight then see how you feel.  If necessary continue until the vaginal area feels easier.

Yep DIY NHS with no signs of any government realising how it should work!

It's such a small amount Jules that Quality of Life is far more important than cancer risks.  That bus might be along ..........
 
R surgery also has a long spiell for which the patient is paying!  Including that we must wear masks, however none of the staff do!!!

[Flossieteacake]

I would just use it daily. Once your symptoms are under control you can try and reduce it and see how you feel. Many of us have to use it daily or we get flares.

[Ayesha]

I've finally got another prescription but I've had 2 weeks without so do I need to do a reload?

Only do a reload if your VA symptoms have come back and you are suffering. No point in wasting the med if you don't need to.
As you say it's DIY, you will soon know how much you need to apply each week to remain comfortable

[Jules]

Okay thanks. No symptoms so far, though im not in a relationship currently so wouldn't know effects from that perspective but i can tell already things are not so moist down below, excuse the graphics, but I'll start off less and see how it goes. I've had a muscular problem this week, very painful and couldn't get the help I needed. Got the best advice off someone on Facebook.  That's what it's come to. We have to muddle through between us.