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[Ms_london76]

Hi Everyone

I just needed to rant a little bit. I saw my Gyneo three times.

The first time she put me on vaginal Antibotics and Imvexxy. She was not clear on how this would work so I waited for the course of antibiotics to be done. Where later she said I was supposed to use both at the same time.

Her original prescription said Imvexxy once a week, however at the second appointment she said start with twice a week. The last appointment I asked her to confirm the dose once or twice a week, she said to stay on twice a week and to add a cream once a week.

Due to her writing the script wrong I waited 2.5 weeks for the right cream name.


Fast forward to now, my pharmacy is confused as to why I am going thru so much Imvexxy. I said what the doctor told me and they said she had to change the script.


The Gyneo office called me to say the dr reviewed her notes and confirmed it was once a week.

Why would I take it twice a week unless I was told to do that? She sees like 50+ women a day how would she remember that conversation we had.

I have been doing okay with twice a week plus the cream. The concern is lack of actual medication as the script is for once a week not twice but I go thru the meds a lot faster at twice a week.

Further, I had asked about seeing her again to which the dr said it could take 6 months to see a difference and there is no need to see me now.

This is the issues with our health care system in Canada. I only have two refills left which in a pack of 12 will
Not get me very far.

So now I am confused with once a week or twice a week do I pull back or keep going the way I have been.

So frustrating. My concerns are valid and I do deserve to be seen if I choose to be seen. Not being told that I have to wait 6 months.

[bombsh3ll]

That is rubbish, and you have every right to be angry about your time and money being wasted, your intelligence being insulted and your condition not being treated adequately.

I'm frustrated with your gynaecologist too just reading that!

I wouldn't bother waiting 6 months for a follow up there, you need to see an actual menopause specialist.

Does Canada have a menopause society or equivalent that can provide a list of recommended doctors?

This is something that is worth paying out of pocket for, just like many women sadly have to do in the UK too.

Also imvexxy is just estradiol - can't you get a generic? There is one in the UK called Gina that you can buy over the counter.

I would also seriously consider systemic estrogen, you can always use topical as well but then you wouldn't be depending solely on something that you can only get a pitiful supply of and someone quibbling over whether you can use it once or twice a WEEK!

[Ms_london76]

I did locate a clinic that advertises menopause clinic with gyneos. So I will see them at the end of the month.

I also will be seeing my naturopath on Tuesday whoShe does prescribe Bhrt so we will chat about systematic options with her with a bunch of questions etc.

Gina is not available otc here or at all actually.

Just got me so upset to hear that today. I followed everything she told me to do. It’s not my fault she forgot to write down in her notes what she said to me🤦‍♀️

[Ayesha]

There are many international names referenced in the Position Statement below including from North America, print it off and give copies to your Gynae and Pharmacist and I am sure your Naturopath would love a copy for her own reference.

https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf

This document gave me the ammunition when confronted by a Pharmacist recently and questioned as to why I was using more pessaries than the recommended dose of two a week. Sparks flew that day and it’s one of the ways to get the message across, I will add that my GSM treatment and dosage is approved by my surgery, no problem with them but it seems to me that there is always someone who wants to stick their nose in and question why.
Women should not have to beg for the correct dose they need to relieve what can be debilitating, chronic symptoms of the menopause, a condition that affects all women differently.

[Ms_london76]

Thank you.

 At this point the naturopath and gp do believe in hormone therapy,
the pharmacist is bound by what the dr sends them. But even she questioned what the gyneo said about once a week when it should be twice a week.

The Gyneo is the one who is resistant in which i wont be able to see until 6 months from now. I believe in a 3 month review so 6 months seems really excessive. And i should not have to fight so hard with her.

I am going to a specialist in menopause (gyneo) on Jan 24th and i believe they will have more knowledge. And a review cuz i will be close to a 3 month mark by than.

[Ayesha]

At this point the naturopath and gp do believe in hormone therapy,

But do they know the dosage one can have regarding topical oestrogen, that seems to be a problem with them, they don't seem to know and are not up to date on the latest guidance. The reason why I posted the link, someone needs educating here.

[Ms_london76]

I agree.

So frustrating in general. I thought she knew better because she is Middle Aged and prob also going thru menopause herself.

Specialists like a Gyneo here in Canada are hard to find and get an appointment with. She sees prob 50-60 ppl a day.

Left me feeling confused and frustrated that I am arguing with the receptionist at what was told to me. And nor was it my fault that the dr did not write it down on her handy iPad.

The GP does understand a review after 3 months and has no issues prescribing hrt (which form of hrt she may need more education on), the naturopath had been saying I should be in estrogen for awhile now and is part of the North American menopause society.

Anyways it just left me feeling really alone in this battle

[Ms_london76]

If anyone knows Dr Kellycasperson, a urologist who is a huge advocate of vaginal estrogen from the states.

She did this live videos on instragram today and one of the points she made 10min with a dr is not adequate medical care especially when it comes to menopause.

Which landed with me today when dealing with my Gyneo or GP for that matter.

[bombsh3ll]

I love Kelly Casperson's videos, and agree 10 mins is not adequate for most conditions actually, unless it's something really trivial.

Certainly not something as complex as menopause management.

Healthcare really is messed up.