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[simmyc]

Hi everyone, I’m in Perth Australia.
I’m 49 years old and having some early vaginal/urinary menopause symptoms. Each time I googled something, this very useful Forum came up so I joined up yesterday.
Back in 2018, I had a UTI, went on antibiotics but the symptoms didn’t clear. It took almost 18 months for me to find a dr who diagnosed thin vaginal skin and put me on Ovestin. That cream was like magic and within days I felt so much better. I was a bit nervous about using a form of HRT and managed to wean myself off it and be symptom free for 4 years. Fast forward to July 2023 (and a night of being intimate without using enough KY Jelly) and the symptoms came back. I still had some Ovestin so got back on it, plus went to the dr and bacteria showed up in my urine so she put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics. Over a month later, things are not much better. I’ve done 2 x 2 week reloads and have managed some ok days, but then I get a bad one with the burning and feeling of urgency to wee.  It is totally running and ruining my life at the moment.
Just wondered if anyone has found Ovestin taking longer and if more good days will come eventually? I seem to have a run of a few days where the pain doesn’t seem as bad and I can forget about it for a while at least, then I get a terribly painful day.
I realise I’m now 5 years older than before and I’m trying to be patient but it’s awful some days. Sitting, walking or bending down are not meant to feel difficult or uncomfortable 😞
Sorry for the long post, just feeling like I’ve forgotten what normal feels like or how to actually know when to go to the toilet (aside from giving myself “toilet times”.)
I have no other symptoms of menopause, love everyone and everything in my life right now but this is really taking its toll.

[Minusminnie]

Have you been retested to be sure that the uti has gone after 7 days of antibiotic ?

If you still have and are using Ovestin you have had after 4 years it will be out of date. Presumably you have been given a fresh prescription.

If you have been using the Ovestin for a month or so and doing 2 x 2 week reloads it sounds like you have been using the ovestin pretty much everyday ?

Might be an idea to do a 2 week load then twice a week as is usually advised and give that 3 months of so to see if it works. Maybe then gradually increase the weekly Ovestin dose if it is still not working and see what happens. You may now be looking at a longer ‘healing’ time than in 2018.

Hold on to your head and make a plan so that you feel better mentally.
You may find the Ovestin itself not suitable or strong enough now & have to ask to try something different like Vagifem.

Others will be along soon.

[Jules]

Hi. UTIs were my initial problem, particularly post sex. I seemed OK at other times. I saw a gyny urinary doctor and he prescribed vagifem.  But because I didn't know anything about it other than the cancer warnings on the leaflet,  I ignored his advice. I managed though with a prophylactic AB which stopped it, and replens and a lubricant for a while. I eventually had to use the vagifem and been on it a year. Nobody suggested ovestin externally though. I saw that on here so asked for it because the vagifem has made sex comfortable but I've now got atrophy externally.  I'm now using both twice a week but am going to increase it. Those UTIs are horrendous. I had my first crossing the Atlantic and ended up in a New York hospital so I have UTI anxiety and carry emergency ABs.  Mine have always responded to ABs though odd times it's lingered and I've found it wasn't a UTI it was the atrophy. I would suggest you might need more than ovestin. I did think if I became celibate,  my troubles would disappear but I was wrong. I didn't act quick enough, probably did what you've done, best to get some treatment. I still use my prophylactic after sex but I don't live with him so it's not frequent otherwise the doctor wouldn't prescribe them. I really feel for you. It's a horrible feeling. Make sure you drink frequently too.

[CLKD]

Morning, welcome aboard!   Sometimes 'vagifem' suits the vagina better, with 'ovestin' on the outer labia.  Same idea, insert into the vagina for 2-3 weeks every night then as necessary: every night if required, or every 3 and 5/6th nights.  Sometimes a moisturiser is required, I use KY Jelly in the labia to stop dryness.

When I get the need2P feelings I take 'nurofen' pain relief, which eases the ouch as the spincter shuts off urine flow. 

The advice in the UK leaflets is out of date and not appropriate for VA treatments.  Dr Newson is trying to get the manufacturers to alter the wording as it's the same as for other HRTs. 

[simmyc]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

[CLKD]

Change your Doctor!!!!  There is no need to have a break, what ever do these medics think will help the condition . Buy and read a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina' and hand to that person.    No wonder you are struggling. 

Bacteria is part of our bodies defence mechanism, both good and 'bad' which might cause problems. 

[Minusminnie]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial
dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

After that has your doctor said to carry on with 2 doses a week and to give it more time ?

I keep Ovestin in the fridge door in the egg section with the egg trays removed ! until i come to use it.  If it starts to get hot here (UK) getting into the 30s the tube that i am currently using goes in the fridge. Ovestin should be stored under 25. Just to avoid any possible deterioration that may then be a reason for it not working. I imagine it can get hot in Perth at times.

[simmyc]

Change your Doctor!!!!  There is no need to have a break, what ever do these medics think will help the condition . Buy and read a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina' and hand to that person.    No wonder you are struggling. 

Bacteria is part of our bodies defence mechanism, both good and 'bad' which might cause problems.

Hi, it was my choice to stop for a while, maybe I didn’t word it properly. My mum had breast cancer 2 years ago from HRT so it’s a massive thing for me to go on anything, even if the risk from Ovestin is low.
I’m more so asking and wondering if others have taken longer to get good results from Ovestin after a break as such,

[simmyc]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial
dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

After that has your doctor said to carry on with 2 doses a week and to give it more time ?

I keep Ovestin in the fridge door in the egg section with the egg trays removed ! until i come to use it.  If it starts to get hot here (UK) getting into the 30s the tube that i am currently using goes in the fridge. Ovestin should be stored under 25. Just to avoid any possible deterioration that may then be a reason for it not working. I imagine it can get hot in Perth at times.

Hi there MinusMinnie
Great idea to keep it in the fridge.
My dr has said do a week of 2 x per week then a reload for 1 x week if necessary. She then wants to see me if things are not great.
I’ve booked an appt in 2 weeks to see her anyway as she’s keen to investigate further if still no relief.
I’m also wondering if I’m being too hard on myself, and if my mind is making me think more about the discomfort than the actual area is, if that makes sense?? I’m just terrified I’ve got this again for years with no relief like last time. 😢
Should I be totally symptom free by now? 🤷‍♀️ Or just an improvement …

[Ayesha]

Hi simmyc. Your Vaginal Atrophy is starting to get the upper hand as you age and without constant use of Ovestin or Vagifem, or both, your symptoms will never improve, the degeneration of the vaginal tissues will continue without the help of oestrogen.
There is no such thing as having a break from treatment and I know your situation is a double edge sword but it will be down to quality of life but its not easy living with this horrid condition without treatment.

[Minusminnie]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial
dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

After that has your doctor said to carry on with 2 doses a week and to give it more time ?

I keep Ovestin in the fridge door in the egg section with the egg trays removed ! until i come to use it.  If it starts to get hot here (UK) getting into the 30s the tube that i am currently using goes in the fridge. Ovestin should be stored under 25. Just to avoid any possible deterioration that may then be a reason for it not working. I imagine it can get hot in Perth at times.

Hi there MinusMinnie
Great idea to keep it in the fridge.
My dr has said do a week of 2 x per week then a reload for 1 x week if necessary. She then wants to see me if things are not great.
I’ve booked an appt in 2 weeks to see her anyway as she’s keen to investigate further if still no relief.
I’m also wondering if I’m being too hard on myself, and if my mind is making me think more about the discomfort than the actual area is, if that makes sense?? I’m just terrified I’ve got this again for years with no relief like last time. 😢
Should I be totally symptom free by now? 🤷‍♀️ Or just an improvement …

Might be an idea to just keep a note of how you are each day during a 2 per week and then for each day during a 1 week load so you have it written down for the doctor to discuss.

Your mind is probably focusing on the pain/discomfort and the fear doesn't help.  If you can distract yourself you may find that the discomfort is less eg being absorbed in a programme. 

This may take long term management but don't give up hope of finding some relief it is a question of what is best to use and time and your doctor seems to be aiming for that.

I wouldn't compare to last time as you are where you are now.  Take Care.

[CLKD]

With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.


There is very little risk of cancer.  I was treated in the 1990s and never considered that VA treatment would trigger recurrence, I could not have continued with the symptoms without 'ovestin'.  Quality of Life. 

How certain is it that your Mum's breast disease was triggered by HRT?  Did she undergo treatment after surgical intervention.  A worry for you all, it took a couple of years to get over the 'can't be happening to me', worse at each check up.  Now I don't think about it unless the breasts are sore.

I was advised by the Oncologist not to consider HRT but had I suffered debilitating symptoms, something would need to have been prescribed.  There is also a more recent chain of thought that women should be prescribed replacement therapy - after all, if it's that dangerous then we should be advised to have mastectomy if we require treatment.

Let us know how you get on.  U may find that once symptoms are under control: which might take a few months: U can manage symptoms appropriately.

[Jules]

With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.


There is very little risk of cancer.  I was treated in the 1990s and never considered that VA treatment would trigger recurrence, I could not have continued with the symptoms without 'ovestin'.  Quality of Life. 

How certain is it that your Mum's breast disease was triggered by HRT?  Did she undergo treatment after surgical intervention.  A worry for you all, it took a couple of years to get over the 'can't be happening to me', worse at each check up.  Now I don't think about it unless the breasts are sore.

I was advised by the Oncologist not to consider HRT but had I suffered debilitating symptoms, something would need to have been prescribed.  There is also a more recent chain of thought that women should be prescribed replacement therapy - after all, if it's that dangerous then we should be advised to have mastectomy if we require treatment.

Let us know how you get on.  U may find that once symptoms are under control: which might take a few months: U can manage symptoms appropriately.

When I didn't want to use vagifem , the consultant became irritated with me, he said he even prescribes it for women who've had breast cancer.  His manner didn't reassure me. I wished I'd taken him seriously though. I've not had cancer, I've had some breast scares. Are there any issues with using it every day with ovestin cream?

[Jules]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

Would you feel less anxious if you always had antibiotics at end just in case? It helps me just knowing I don't have to suffer while I get hold of a doctor though I've rarely used them but take them everywhere

[simmyc]

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
Yes I used a new prescription as I’d always kept up with having a tube in my drawer “just in case” but rarely used it.
With my load dosing, I did have a 1 x week break between the 2 loads as advised by my doctor.
I’d say the bacteria has gone as it was a  really minute amount to begin with and no white blood cells showed up on the initial dip test, it was only bacteria after the sample was cultured.

Would you feel less anxious if you always had antibiotics at end just in case? It helps me just knowing I don't have to suffer while I get hold of a doctor though I've rarely used them but take them everywhere

Thanks, that’s a good thought but I’ve rarely had to use antibiotics as my tests pretty much always came back showing no bacteria.
One doctor I saw put me on 3 x courses of antibiotics and of course, the symptoms didn’t go.
When I see my new doctor next week I’ll be sure to get a urine test done just to double check but it’s more a constant feeling of needing to wee even after I’ve finished. My current doctor said it’s like the skin around my urethra has lots of microscopic scratches and they just need time to heal. Feel like I’d get better quicker if I could have a break from weeing for a week!!!