Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[CLKD]

Morning.  sfreesto - the day after I begin a reload of 'ovestin' when I've had a break, I often get more reaction for 24 hours which settles.  I would stick to the 'ovestin' myself, nightly for at least 2-3 weeks.

[Ayesha]

You have only just started using Ovestin externally and I would definitely use every day until you feel that its working for you.
The problem with these treatments is they can take weeks/months to start working and the key word is patience. If you think you are not improving you can always review the situation at a later date, but its never a quick fix with any issues regarding that part of our anatomy.

Jules, to answer your not so easy question as we are all made differently, it took a year for me to look normal again but I am at the stage that I don't notice I have a vagina anymore because of the vaginal atrophy treatment.

[Patchsmama]

Hello. Thank you so much for posting this. I can on here this morning to have a moan and ask for similar advice and I’ve now found lots of info.

I’ve been using Vagifem twice weekly for around 4 years, increasing to 3 times per week if I can feel a flare up.

On Christmas Eve I felt I was in the edge, so increased to three per week a week ago. It feels worse this week, burning in the vulval area (particularly after going for a wee) and similar symptoms as four years ago.  So disappointing as I really felt it was under control. The weird thing is that, to touch, I don’t feel dry at all, never have.

I tried Olive and B and Yes prior to the Vagifem without much success, I just felt more burning.  I’m wondering what V Magic is.

I fear I might have to go back to the GP but mine has left and the rest are hopeless. Everything by the book and I feel like I tell them what to do.

Not good for a start of a new year.

[Jules]

You have only just started using Ovestin externally and I would definitely use every day until you feel that its working for you.
The problem with these treatments is they can take weeks/months to start working and the key word is patience. If you think you are not improving you can always review the situation at a later date, but its never a quick fix with any issues regarding that part of our anatomy.

Jules, to answer your not so easy question as we are all made differently, it took a year for me to look normal again but I am at the stage that I don't notice I have a vagina anymore because of the vaginal atrophy treatment.

I suppose because I've no discomfort,  I'm not aware as much in that respect but I obviously look different. I've been using ovestin nightly for 4 months and I do use a large pea size, I use what I need to cover the area. Yes, there's slight visible improvement so I'm just ploughing on. I've no idea how I would manage sex, last time was 4 months ago and it was fine but may not be so now. I need to find a test pilot!

[CLKD]

Patchsmama - use every night for at least 2-3 weeks.  The area may be sore initially as the skin could be thin, itchy and distressed.  The idea is to plump up the internal skin so that it recovers from the dryness, usually caused by depleted oestrogen.  Some find that 'yes' or 'sylc' - I use KY Jelly on the out vulval areas - B4 or after inserting the VA treatment can ease any soreness.

When I feel the need2P symptoms I swallow 2 Nurofen 3 times a day so ease the nip as the urine flow shuts off. 

[Jules]

Doesn't nurofen contain ibuprofen? Would plain old paracetamol work?

[Patchsmama]

Thank you CLKD. Always so helpful.  If I increase further, I’ll need to convince the hopeless GPs to prescribe more. Unfortunately I can’t take ibuprofen however, it’s less like a uti this time, more like burning afterwards and for some time.  Xx

[Minusminnie]

Hello. Thank you so much for posting this. I can on here this morning to have a moan and ask for similar advice and I’ve now found lots of info.

I’ve been using Vagifem twice weekly for around 4 years, increasing to 3 times per week if I can feel a flare up.

On Christmas Eve I felt I was in the edge, so increased to three per week a week ago. It feels worse this week, burning in the vulval area (particularly after going for a wee) and similar symptoms as four years ago.  So disappointing as I really felt it was under control. The weird thing is that, to touch, I don’t feel dry at all, never have.

I tried Olive and B and Yes prior to the Vagifem without much success, I just felt more burning.  I’m wondering what V Magic is.

I fear I might have to go back to the GP but mine has left and the rest are hopeless. Everything by the book and I feel like I tell them what to do.

Not good for a start of a new year.

If you have burning in the vulva area after a wee you may now need estriol cream or Ovestin cream to rub on the vulva area.

Just my experience but I used vagifem for a long time tinkering with levels & it never reached the vulva.

You may find that a GP is reluctant to give both vagifem & an estriol cream but don’t give up if that happens.

I’m currently using Aproderm barrier cream on the vulva to keep the wee off.  I put a small amount on each morning after a shower. I got this after another member mentioned it.

I’d make a note of food & drink you are consuming as I’ve been advised not to have things like coffee tea spicy food & acid tomatoes.

[CLKD]

Patchsmama - ring your GP Surgery and ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic if U think that the GP won't prescribe 'enough'.  So many still believe that there is a risk of 'overdosing'  .  Is there a Nurse Practitioner with more knowledge perhaps? 

[Ayesha]

I also would say you need to increase your dose of Vagifem and ask for Ovestin to apply topically on the outside, the regime you are using now is obviously not enough for you as you age.
Fight for what you are entitled to, I am on 7 days a week Vagifem and Ovestin along with a lot of other women on this forum, explain that to your GP if necessary. For something that is as simple as straight forward Vaginal Atrophy there should be no need for you to attend a menopause clinic, its just not necessary.

Its a well known fact some GP's know very little about VA and its usually the patient once educated to it, that tells the GP what's needed.

[Jules]

Vaginal and Vulval atrophy are my main problems.  Thanks to the experience of some people on this forum I've worked out what I need to do, I have yet to start moisturising daily but I'm not having any urinary issues or discomfort. I'm still unsure about the amount I'm using,  I'm applying ovestin as I need to, I may increase the vagifem to nightly.   I'm going to leave the forum. Wishing you all well and healthy women bits

[CLKD]

It shouldn't be necessary to go to a menopause clinic, however with the waiting lists both NHS and Private, it is often worth getting onto a list : the appt can be cancelled nearer the time should symptoms improve.

Some GPs simply have no idea and many do not want to be educated.  Also prescriptions come out of the budget.

[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.

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

Hi Jules,

Intrarosa is a vaginal pessarie like Vagifem but instead of Estradiol it is DHEA. Your body converts the DHEA into both oestrogens and testosterone, so in theory should be a bit more of a holistic treatment. It also melts and runs out a bit so will treat the vestibule. I’ll report back on how well it works.

[fiftyplus]

Hi sfreesto

So ... Intrarosa is both estrogen & testosterone, how interesting - would 1 have to take progesterone also if they still had a womb, do you know?  Also please keep us updated - I for 1 would be very interested in your experience with this thanks x

[fiftyplus]

If Louise Newson uses Intrarosa then it must be good, eh?