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[fiftyplus]

Hi suzysunday - may I ask what you use to control va, and roughly how long did it take to get it under control and enjoy sex again and feel comfortable? xx

[Bella247]

The gynaecologist told me it’s fine to use every other day on my vulva. She said there is no systemic absorption by applying it to the vulva (which is where I suffer the most).

When I first started using oestrogen cream the leaflet terrified the life out of me (I have health anxiety and it wasn’t what I wanted to read). Apparently the leaflet is based on out of date info (very annoying and no doubt this wouldn’t be the case if it were something men had to spread on their privates).

I don’t think I will ever get over the lack of education medical professionals undergo about the menopause when it’s something that potentially affects 50% of the population and can cause such absolute misery. I really hope this changes.

Did she say its fine to use every other day because that's all you need or was she stating a recommended dose?
I had no idea either about my condition either though I knew from other women that UTIs were common. The biggest shock was the vulval atrophy. I had no idea that change could happen. It was a GP who told me after an exam, she has subsequently phoned me to answer more questions. She told me I can use vagifem every night and ovestin sparsely but after hearing Ayesha,  I upped the ovestin to nightly and the amount I need. There are 3 GPs at my surgery who are great. One tells me her stuff too. Other than this forum, I've not googled because I always find the worse case scenario

I directly asked her whether it was ok to use it on the vulva on days that I wasn’t inserting it internally and she said that’s fine because when it’s applied to the vulva there is no systematic absorption.

I’ve also upped the frequency I’m applying non HRT products to my vagina which I think (hope and pray) is making a difference. Basically any time I do a wee I pay myself gently and apply either olive and bee or v magic and always after I shower and at night on days I’m not applying Ovestin.

[CLKD]

Kathryn 22 - what R U using to ease symptoms and how often?


No one 'has to live with' any complaint  .  All of the prescribed medications for vaginal atrophy can be used every night if necessary.   'sylc' and 'yes' moisorisors are useful too and I use KY Jelly on the out labia when it feels dry as well as 'ovestin' internally.


50+ do U not have any treatment for VA? 

[kathryn22]

Hi CLKD
I’m on Estriol which I now use every other night and YES moisturiser on the other days. I know that you don’t have to live with these things,but in a way you do if your medical support is not the best
What you have to do is learn to cope with the symptoms as best you can
You never know maybe someday a more long term solution will appear

[Jules]

I've been using vagifem alternate nights which has been fine but I've just noticed it feeling drier when inserting so maybe even that isn't enough or it's maybe because I'm not having sex at present. I have no discomfort though so I'm not too worried

[fiftyplus]

Hi CLKD

Only in the last couple of months have I started using ovestin nightly.  My main problem is painful sex and and although it is a little better, I am wondering how long? it will take of using ovestin before sex will not be painful again as it was before I got miserable VA

[Ayesha]

This my my story, and others of their experience suffering Vaginal Atrophy.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,64837.msg895647.html#msg895647

I don't know why some women don't just get on and use the treatment every day because replacing the lost oestrogen is the only remedy for this nasty condition, no natural product will help apart from keeping you well moisturised.
Even with prolapse the topical HRT will help, with other conditions I appreciate the road to recovery is more complex but can be worked on successfully.

My vagina had a no entry sign on it, impossible to gain entry. After a year of daily vaginal atrophy treatment I am back to normal.

[kathryn22]

Ayesha
No entry sign 🤣 love it
Not a problem in my life my partner had radical prostate surgery 5 yrs ago so that’s a memory ☹️ Mind you, apparently if your not active it’s a negative
So early hysterectomy , Long and difficult Menopause, No sex, and apparently my ovaries have turned to dust and are non existent according to the last scan. So all in all should have seen this coming .. had I known it existed

[Jules]

I think I was heading that way somewhere in the future Ayesha. Thankfully I read your experience.  I'm going to adjust my treatment as required.  A sex life is currently just a desire though but focused on sorting out my bits first. Things are improving very slowly.

[CLKD]

Well said Ayesha - it's all or nothing for many women etc.; nightly with moisturisers etc.. 

[suzysunday]

Hi kathryn22.  It took about a year all told.  I just use ovestin and used it alternate nights at first but still feeling those horrible wee feelings so gp advised using it every night for a month more, I think I did a couple of months, then back to alternate.  I still use it nightly sometimes. I didn't have sex for about a year, but gently used dilators that the hospital provided.  It was a miserable time but now sex is fine.  You learn how to control flare ups.  It's a rubbish condition!

[fiftyplus]

Thanks so much for sharing your very personal story Ayesha which must have been such a miserable and distressing time for you - you have given myself and others hope ... big thanks again to you and all the other lovely ladies here who have shared their experiences too which is very helpful and appreciated to a newbie when dealing with this depressing, debilitating condition.  I have learned and I am still learning so much from you all ...

Lots of Luv 50+

[Jules]

I've learned there's two things. Vaginal Atrophy which was my first problem,  and Vulval atrophy that came much later and what I didn't expect and wasnt aware of till a doctor described some fusing and the appearance i didn't notice enough till the stage when I wondered what the heck. Has everyone with VA got Vulval atrophy too? Apart from Ayesha,  has anybody managed to make some improvement with continued use of ovestin?  I don't have discomfort at present with my current treatment,  it's the physical appearance I find has affected me. I don't know how and when it happened but seemed quite suddenly.

[sfreesto]

Jules,

I think my problems seem to be more vulva/urethra related than vaginal, or at least that seems to be what causes me more symptoms. Ive been on systemic HRT for two years and Imvaggis for 9 months, and I’m only 49, so the only visible changes for are the sore vestibule at this stage - though that is bad enough!

Ladies, as you know I’ve been having a nasty flare up and have just changed to Intrarosa internally plus Ovestin externally. Has anyone else found the first morning pee (well after the one/two in the night of course), when probably the Intrarosa comes out, to be painful?

Incidentally, I was listening to a Louise Newson podcast yesterday and she said on there that she uses Intrarosa. Also a US-based specialist Ashley Winter said she sees better results with Intrarosa. So, I’ll stick with it for a while but did wonder about the exit burns.

[Jules]

Jules,

I think my problems seem to be more vulva/urethra related than vaginal, or at least that seems to be what causes me more symptoms. Ive been on systemic HRT for two years and Imvaggis for 9 months, and I’m only 49, so the only visible changes for are the sore vestibule at this stage - though that is bad enough!

Ladies, as you know I’ve been having a nasty flare up and have just changed to Intrarosa internally plus Ovestin externally. Has anyone else found the first morning pee (well after the one/two in the night of course), when probably the Intrarosa comes out, to be painful?

Incidentally, I was listening to a Louise Newson podcast yesterday and she said on there that she uses Intrarosa. Also a US-based specialist Ashley Winter said she sees better results with Intrarosa. So, I’ll stick with it for a while but did wonder about the exit burns.

What is interosa? My GP described some visible changes. I can now see too. I wish I'd started using ovestin earlier though I didn't know it was available.  It is making slight difference but very slow. Thankfully I don't get discomfort....yet. my problem was sex related. I had to use profalactics after to prevent uti and it had started being painful though the vagifem sorting that out. It's the external atrophy that is concerning and affects my confidence. So I was hoping to hear that some have had success with treatment