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[patches1972]

Hi lovely ladies,
Hope I'm posting on the right forum!
Just wondering if any of you can help with advice. I am 65 and well through the menopause, never took HRT.I have posted about this before a while ago but here goes (sorry if it's a long thread)
So, about 3 years ago I saw my GP as I had a sore spot on my labia. She examined me and said it wasn't anything serious and gave me some cream (which cleared said spot up - looking back I think this was caused by friction on my underwear). Anyway, as she was examining me I said that I was concerned as my inner labia seemed to be disappearing but she just said all women are different and some have bigger labia than others - completely ignoring the fact that I said they were disappearing. She also said the entrance to my vagina was very red and sore looking. She gave me one course of vagifem which did help. I went back and asked for more vagifem as I had read it could be used all the time, she seemed cross and said that no, I couldn't have any more and when I said I had read it could be used all the time she said " would you rather I prescribed this and end up me visiting you in pain on a cancer ward" So that was that.
Now my symptoms are hardly any  inner labia or clitoral hood
Very pale vagina
No pubic hair to speak of
Burning
Itching
Soreness
Feeling I have little cuts
These symptoms are worse at some times than others
Not had sex in about 4 years as I have no libido and my lovely husband (70) has erection problems

I have been trying to manage symptoms myself with over the counter creams etc which help to some degree. I am positive I have vaginal atrophy. I am not great at seeking medical advice but now have started (last few days)with low pelvic pain (similar to period pains) which I think may be bladder pain. No discharge, weeing a lot, but always have done.

my question is could the pelvic aching (just above the bony part of the vagina) be due to VA, are my symptoms typical of VA and should I go back and see a different GP and demand vagifem?

 I asked if I could have my hormone levels checked (about 12 mths ago)and was told there was no point as I was through the menopause.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Cara999]

Your GP sounds delightful!! I certainly wouldn't see her again, how rude. I'm so sorry your being treated that way. Vagifem is very safe to use as it's only a tiny amount.  Your symptoms do sound like VA so I would go back to yoir GP, a different one perhaps and ask for vaginal estrogen, you may benefit from the cream as this can be used externally as well as inside. Hope you soon find some relief of this dreadful condition xxx

[patches1972]

Thank you Cara999, she's been my GP since 1981 and she's now due to retire so hopefully will be able to see someone different. This aching is getting me down I think it s bladder related? I have some PH strips (bought to check our Dalmatians wee!) so will use one.

[Flossieteacake]

Patches, I am so so sorry you have had such a terrible experience with an uneducated and rude GP. To dismiss you and then say you could get cancer from using vagifem is just awful. I know you said she is retiring but if she was not then a complaint should be made.

All the symptoms you list, including sparse public hair are symptoms of VA. It is most unfortunate that many GPs are clueless about VA. VA needs localised oestrogen for life. If a person stops using it then the VA returns. It was so pointless of the GP to give you a short course. I would ask to see another GP and insist on using it daily and not the silly daily for two weeks then dropping to twice a week that many GPs say.

VA is so painful and can really ruin a persons life and you should not have to put up with this.

It is also understandable to want your hormone levels checked and I have seen many posts on here were postmeno women have had hormone tests.

[CLKD]

She's got no bedside manner  .  I would speak to the Practice Manager and explain how VA treatments work.

Let us know how you get on!  Read the 'bladder issues' thread and those related to VA will help.

[Tinkerbell]

What an ignorant GP, far worse than some of the ones I have encountered!

It is quite safe to use topical estrogen long term. I suffered for a year struggling to get treatment for VA, absolutely awful condition.Not sure how you have coped with it for so long.

Most practices are happy for you to see whoever you want. I now have a go to list!

[Mouse60]

Why is this so misunderstood by the medical profession?
And why is there no national awareness campaign? Thank goodness for this forum.

[Ayesha]

Someone out there in the big wide world is well informed about Vaginal Atrophy because treatment is now available to buy over the counter, someone somewhere would have been having lengthy discussions before it reached the shelves.

There is absolutely no excuse for any doctor not to understand the crippling effects this condition has on the body, they must look every day at the disappearing genitals of mature women, beauticians do, and do they not think that this doesn't come without pain.

It can't be down to luck as I found when I went to the GP for help with my then chronic Vaginal Atrophy, my own doctor on daily treatment of Vagifem herself, how lucky was that!  But it should not be like this, it should not be a fight with some doctors to get the treatment we deserve.

Rant over 

[Dierdre]

Why aren't doctors made to go on regular training every year to update them on new guidelines, procedures and medication like all other professions? Or do they but only on the subjects they choose. It seems like a lot of our NHS GP's are in a time warp and it's very scary!
Also why is menopause not part of the training?

[flossie fiddler]

Hearing these kind of responses from a GP, makes me so cross! I’ve been on Vagifem now since Feb 2020, which was 3 months after I stopped other HRT after 6 years. Whilst it helped a bit, I still found  sex very painful, noticed the pubic hair disappearing, and had constant itching and irritation.

Because I had other issues - all my other meno symptoms had returned with a vengeance - I asked to be put on patches again aged 57. Boy, did I have a fight on my hands. When I was refused by a doctor (a locum), who reduced me to tears, I made a formal complaint to the practice manager about the way I had been spoken to, and how I had been refused HRT. I’m now with a lovely nurse who knows her stuff regarding HRT. She told me that if any doctor tells me I can’t have HRT if I want it, that I had to fight.

I’m now on HRT patches and pills with Vagifem twice a week and never felt so good in a long time.

It’s a travesty that we have to fight for this, but sadly we still do. Stay strong, and don’t take no for an answer. Also, I would advise a formal complaint, to prevent that doctor speaking to anyone else in that way. How dare she!  If someone was less than strong, especially with hormonal imbalances affecting the brain in the way they do, something like that could tip someone over the edge.

[CLKD]

GPs don't have time to read all the bumph that appears in the In-box. 

I feel that the British menopause Society are failing women across the UK , they should be arranging meetings with all staff in all Health Authorities. To discuss Menopause i.e. no one is too young; as well as there are other symptoms other than loss of periods and hot flushes!  Add to that VA education .........

GP Surgeries: Hospital Meetings across all Specialities: leafletting all Council Offices, all Libraries, School Staff Rooms from Primary age upwards.  Samaritans and other support groups.  On a regular basis, to make sure that information remains in the 4front of these organisations. 

[flossie fiddler]

GPs don't have time to read all the bumph that appears in the In-box. 

I feel that the British menopause Society are failing women across the UK , they should be arranging meetings with all staff in all Health Authorities. To discuss Menopause i.e. no one is too young; as well as there are other symptoms other than loss of periods and hot flushes!  Add to that VA education .........

GP Surgeries: Hospital Meetings across all Specialities: leafletting all Council Offices, all Libraries, School Staff Rooms from Primary age upwards.  Samaritans and other support groups.  On a regular basis, to make sure that information remains in the 4front of these organisations.

Oh, the hot flushes thing! Whenever I hear menopause and HRT discussed on news and media, it’s always about the hot flushes. Really annoys me. It seems to trivialise what we go through. The last time I looked, I believe there were over 40 symptoms associated with the menopause. Still a long way to go with the education…

[patches1972]

What an ignorant GP, far worse than some of the ones I have encountered!

It is quite safe to use topical estrogen long term. I suffered for a year struggling to get treatment for VA, absolutely awful condition.Not sure how you have coped with it for so long.

Most practices are happy for you to see whoever you want. I now have a go to list!

I have been using over the counter things. I found B5 Panthenol helps with the soreness. If you are in the UK you can buy it in Home Bargains really cheaply, it's a nappy cream. When my mum was bed fast and had a catheter the district nurses used it on her as she was always sore. My GP has now retired so I hope to get some better help

[CLKD]

Morning Patches.  Ring your GP surgery to speak to a Nurse Practitioner and ask for vaginal atrophy treatment.  In the meantime, read the 'bladder issues' and VA threads, so the tyou have ammunition should you require it.  If you meet resistance then ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, not a Gynae.  Let us know how you go?

[Ayesha]

The only over the counter med that would help you with Vaginal Atrophy is Gina but you can get treatment easily from your GP if there are no other health reasons why you can't have it.

Vaginal Atrophy will only get worse if not treated, and it's extremely uncomfortable when it gets to the chronic stage.
Demand the treatment you are entitled to.