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[Jules]

So now I have blood trace on the applicator after inserting the pessary. Given the discomfort I've had, should I be worried?

This is probably because the vaginal lining has become fragile. You can coat the applicator with a vaginal moisturiser such as Yes or Sylk, or insert with a finger.
JP x

It shouldn't be after 10 months of estrogen, it should be better.

The doctor wants to see me this morning so I'm guessing I'll have to stop the estrogen and wait for ultrasound as happened last time

[Penguin]

Could you have caught the skin with the applicator? GP warned me against using the applicator for that reason so I am just using my finger.

[Jules]

Could you have caught the skin with the applicator? GP warned me against using the applicator for that reason so I am just using my finger.

It didn't feel like I had. I've had bleeding before. I was told it can be a side effect of HRT. It put me off using it last time. I stopped for 9 months. I had to have an ultrasound. I suppose with the abdominal discomfort I have, it needs checking. The bladder urgency has improved since using ABs so either I had a UTI brewing or its coincidence

[Jules]

I've had an exam. Everything looks OK. Been referred for ultrasound. Ive to go back if anymore bleeding. She was quite up to date about use of vaginal estrogen, told me to carry on. She described the changes she could see, nobody tells you about this. She said women will go about hot flushes etc but not about VA or their bits below.😊

[CLKD]

  tnx for the update. 

[Flossieteacake]

I am so pleased the examination went well. You sound more reassured which is wonderful.

[Ayesha]

She said women will go about hot flushes etc but not about VA or their bits below.😊

This comment backs up research I was reading and probably explains why so many GP’s don’t understand, some never even hearing of the condition, Vaginal Atrophy and it’s symptoms.
Too many women are putting up with this chronic condition because they say, I have to put up with it, I am too embarrassed, It’s down there, it’s my business.

I don’t know how women can in this day and age still have these thoughts and how do they cope with the symptoms. 
When I first went to the GP and after having a good chat with him, he asked if I was a nurse because he thought me very knowledgeable about my body, I said no, just a long time experience of having a dodgy, annoying vagina, he smiled and told me to make an appointment to see the female gynae in the surgery, I did that and the rest is history, no more annoying, dodgy vagina problems anymore.

I honestly hope in the future some women will grow some balls and get help. This survey was worldwide, women being our own worst enemy here.

[Jules]

I still have the dull aching either side low down, bit of back ache, the examination made it worse. She thinks its likely a UTI.
 My insides are thinned even with vagifem. I'll feel better after the scan. I feel old and redundant after that description she gave of me.

[CLKD]

This too will pass and once treatment is underway which relieves your symptoms, U will being to feel better.

Time that every GP Surgery was issued with at least 1 copy of 'Me and My Menopausal Vagina' ??

Also Ayesha: I dread to think how many women may suffer in the ethnic communities  . 

[Minusminnie]

She said women will go about hot flushes etc but not about VA or their bits below.😊

This comment backs up research I was reading and probably explains why so many GP’s don’t understand, some never even hearing of the condition, Vaginal Atrophy and it’s symptoms.
Too many women are putting up with this chronic condition because they say, I have to put up with it, I am too embarrassed, It’s down there, it’s my business.

I don’t know how women can in this day and age still have these thoughts and how do they cope with the symptoms. 
When I first went to the GP and after having a good chat with him, he asked if I was a nurse because he thought me very knowledgeable about my body, I said no, just a long time experience of having a dodgy, annoying vagina, he smiled and told me to make an appointment to see the female gynae in the surgery, I did that and the rest is history, no more annoying, dodgy vagina problems anymore.

I honestly hope in the future some women will grow some balls and get help. This survey was worldwide, women being our own worst enemy here.

I think it needs more early education for women & more gp training. Things do seem to be heading that way though as more is talked or written about.
A consultant said to me that “maybe things are going that way” re va and at the time I had no idea what he was going on about.
It did make me angry that I had no prior idea that my vagina could potentially become vulnerable. It does need emphasising more.

[Ayesha]

I wouldn't have had a clue either, into my 70's with no idea what the hell was going on down there and neither did anyone else in the surgery apart from the Gynae GP I eventually saw, she knew because she was suffering the same, and she was so much younger than me!

[Jules]

Has anybody else had this type of pain? Tis a bit concerning not to mention unpleasant.  I do feel now I'm going to cause more problems having any sort of sex life after hearing her talking about me.  Why do men not get changes like this as they get older? It's bad enough addressing wrinkles on your face but I didn't know I'd need to sort the other end out.

[Jules]

On the topic of women talking about it, I was having lunch last year with a multinational European group of friends.  An Italian lady openly started talking about how much her vaginal estrogen had cost in the US. Her hubby is French. Nobody batted an eyelid.

[Flossieteacake]

I think using Ovestin daily for a few months will make such a difference to your pain. VA is painful and to have sex before symptoms improve will make you feel sore.

Give yourself some time and I am sure you will see an improvement.

[Ayesha]

On the topic of women talking about it, I was having lunch last year with a multinational European group of friends.  An Italian lady openly started talking about how much her vaginal estrogen had cost in the US. Her hubby is French. Nobody batted an eyelid.

And yet I have read articles that in France the menopause doesn't exist, women get on with it!
I recall a member posting here who worked in France and when she mentioned symptoms to her work colleagues, they didn't know what she meant, hence the reason she looked for help here, If I have got this wrong I am happy to be corrected!
From what she said and after reading the articles, the journalist mentioned she had difficulty in finding women to talk about menopause in France.

It's certainly an interesting subject to learn about on how women around the world deal with the menopause and how much it's talked about.