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[Orba]

Hi all ,
Just a thought post really, but bear with me !
Over the Christmas period I did a fair bit of reading (Me & my menopausal  vagina by jane Lewis )and watched menopause videos on you tube  in particular about VA and local oestrogen .
Last summer I was plagued with a recurring UTI which eventually went after various courses of Antibiotics.. I saw several GPs in that time , some female and one with an interest in women's health.( Who said take pro biotics )  I had scans, tests for an STI and a PID check - all negative.  Not at any time did any of them mention using vaginal oestrogen for bladder health .
I had been using Vagifem before this happened but I ll admit I had been lax with it and probably not using it regularly. No GP even asked if I was using it, but I did mention it to one.
After re- educating myself I realise how important this treatment is in the prevention of UTIs . No GP had ever mentioned this.
Dr Louise Newson and a couple of Urologists from the US explained on their Videos how the oestrogen gets thru to the bladder and it's benefits.
Does anyone else do most of their own research  to find answers or do you have an upto date GP on menopause matters ?
X

[Ayesha]

I struck lucky with my gynae GP and she knew exactly what was needed when I was suffering from this mystery condition I developed but it took a while to  eventually get to see her as in the meantime I was prescribed 3 courses of antibiotics and a cream for fungal infections.

I honestly believe its a total mystery to most medics across the board, you just have to read the comments on this forum relating to Vaginal Atrophy to understand that, how could I have got to over 70 and never heard of a condition that can completely disable you living a normal pain free life.

I think the consensus is that not enough women come forward, too embarrassed, it's private, are the usual excuses but how you lock the condition out of your mind is beyond me. I have also read a lot on Vaginal Atrophy and to this day I find it astonishing that not even the nurses at my practice could understand why the antibiotics were not working and to this day women when educated to the condition have to fight for the right dose of treatment for them.
I learned all about VA from reading on this forum and research papers from mainly American medical students.

[fiftyplus]

Yes, absolutely agree.  My gp gave me 1 tube of ovestin to last me 3 months!!! This was all new to me and away I went with the 1 tube and once I starting using it every night and doing the maths I thought this ain't going to last me 3 months so I asked the lovely ladies on here what their prescription was and then went back to gp and demanded 2 tubes every 6 weeks - honestly, if they could do their job properly this would not be taking over my life having to find and research what is best for me but this seems to be the case with any illness or problem you unfortunately get you have to do your own research then go back and tell the gp what is best for you and help yourself!

[CLKD]

When 'me and my menopausal vagina' was published I bought 10 copies and handed out to the GP and Vet Surgeries, was well as to the Manager at the home where Mum lives.

Obviously we need to buy copies to hand around!  Also, why didn't Pharmacists flag up the repeated prescriptions for ABs 

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

l had the same issue, several lots of antibiotics for what my GP (Gynae specialist) diagnosed as urine infections, with no mention of  the possibility of VA. Needless to say the A/Bs did nothing.) I was ( and  still am) on low dose hrt but  remembered the year previously  l'd seen a different GP (for something unrelated) but also mentioned l was getting little paper cut tears in my vulva. She gave me Ovestin and it cleared up the problem but she didn't mention VA or suggested l use Ovestin regularly.  Well I dug it out and on using it the so called urine infection cleared almost straight away. It's dreadful that we all have to play amateur detective to diagnose what is such a common problem for menopausal women !

[Orba]

Hopefully as the newer generation of GPs come through VA will be more acknowledged and more menopause training will be undertaken.
My mother is now in her 80s and has suffered for years from what I believe are VA symptoms
She s been treated with antibiotics for UTIs and given thrush treatment but from how she describes her symptoms I'm sure she needs  vaginal oestrogen. She's of that generation that doesn't speak up and still refers to her vagina as " down below"  it's so sad.I intend to use local oestrogen until I die !

[CLKD]

Orba - MayB buy some 'gina' over the counter and give to your Mum?  No one should suffer in silence!!! and her GP is negligent.  "The New Product that Every1 is Talking About"? approach. 

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Orba, CLKD's suggestion is a good one, if your mum is too embarrassed to speak to her GP and request Ovestin then buy some Gina over the counter and suggest she tries it. There was a great article in the Observer magazine recently talking about the hidden UTI scandal and use of antibiotics for UTI's when actually hormonal support was needed. In fact they pointed out that the many women in care homes who continually suffered from UTIs, incontinence etc almost certainly needed localised estrogen replacement rather than the A/B's they were prescribed on repeat.
Makes you think!
 

[CLKD]

However, it is difficult to administer VA treatment to a woman with dementia ......... so I worry that many in the care system are suffering 

[Ayesha]

I found this, a long read but so informative!

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/17/millions-of-women-are-suffering-who-dont-have-to-why-its-time-to-end-the-misery-of-utis

[Orba]

Orba - MayB buy some 'gina' over the counter and give to your Mum?  No one should suffer in silence!!! and her GP is negligent.  "The New Product that Every1 is Talking About"? approach.

Yes,  I am trying to organise this as unfortunately my mum lives overseas so I arranged for a lady carer to go with mum to a pharmacist, they did give her some topical cream - which I'm sure was a moisturizer!
She is currently having other health issues and seems to have an element of dementia so getting her to understand it all is difficult.
I will be seeing her soon so will take some Gina .

[Ayesha]

The link above is not very helpful as you have to register to read the full article, although I could read it all it doesn't allow for copying but really saying all what we knew anyway!

Orba, I am not sure Gina would be suitable for your mum as its not easy at first to insert the applicator and you say your mum is suffering other health issues. Perhaps an oestrogen cream would be better as she could apply with her finger, but as we know its all a minefield!

[Dierdre]

Orba - MayB buy some 'gina' over the counter and give to your Mum?  No one should suffer in silence!!! and her GP is negligent.  "The New Product that Every1 is Talking About"? approach.

Yes,  I am trying to organise this as unfortunately my mum lives overseas so I arranged for a lady carer to go with mum to a pharmacist, they did give her some topical cream - which I'm sure was a moisturizer!
She is currently having other health issues and seems to have an element of dementia so getting her to understand it all is difficult.
I will be seeing her soon so will take some Gina .

Depending where your Mum lives most places abroad sell HRT in pharmacies. Ovestin is easily bought this way and perhaps would be easier than Gina or Vagifem as it can be used internally and externally depending on where its needed most. Will be easier to apply too.

[Ayesha]

Its annoying that Ovestin is not available to buy here from pharmacies but I was able to buy from Superdrug online pharmacy when I wanted a back up supply.

[Orba]

Thanks for all suggestions for mum. Yes ovestin would be better.
I had looked online as was going to get some for myself to supplement vagifem and It's relatively easy to buy from online pharmacies  here. Not sure why it can't be bought over the counter tho like Gina - maybe in time