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[CLKD]

Rules may be different Down Under ?

[Gnatty]

It's called prasterone. Tbh it's probably the same as Intrarosa x

[MrsMitch]

Thank you so much, Gnatty, I'm going to do some reading and ask my GP about it on Monday.

[MrsMitch]

It is the same BTW. I've just had a quick read on Louise Newsoms website and the thing that stood out to me is that it also balances the vaginas ph which is a big problem for me as I have to use bv treatment at least once a month.
I imagine my GP will want to refer me back to the meno specialist at the hospital if she agrees my current regime isn't effective enough, but I'll let you know how I get on in case it benefits any one else.

[kiwiperi25]

Gnatty: sadly Prasterone or Intrarosa are not available here in New Zealand. There is a testosterone gel so I may ask about that.

MrsMitch: that comment about your mum actually does help, I keep feeling like the wait for the specialist is going to make everything so much worse but maybe it will stay at this level (which is awful but better than being worse!)

CLKD: yep, I'm from down under,  having issues with my down under!  Apologies for crashing the UK site, but there aren't a lot of forums here in NZ so I am reaching out where I can. I will let you know how I go!

joziel: Wow those estrogen amounts are high, sorry you are having to dose at such levels, that must be stressful. I've asked my doctor for a hormone test to see what my levels are and we'll go from there.

[joziel]

Well, I feel the best I've felt since this started. The only stressful bit is the constant worry about whether my NHS GP will continue to prescribe this dose. (Because I don't think I can afford to pay for it privately.)

[chopsuey]

It is the same BTW. I've just had a quick read on Louise Newsoms website and the thing that stood out to me is that it also balances the vaginas ph which is a big problem for me as I have to use bv treatment at least once a month.
I imagine my GP will want to refer me back to the meno specialist at the hospital if she agrees my current regime isn't effective enough, but I'll let you know how I get on in case it benefits any one else.

MrsMitch - have you tried using vaginal probiotics like Optibac for Women, which helps restore the normal acidity of the vagina and therefore preventing BV?

[MrsMitch]

No, I havent, Chopsuey. Do you need to take them permanently or periodically? Currently I use Active balance but this time,  it doesn't seem to have been effective.

[chopsuey]

The Optibac one is designed for vaginal bacteria only. I have seen reviews on their website in the past from women who say it has helped with BV (also UTIs, thrush).

As with most probiotics, the good bacteria don't seem to become resident, so it does need to be taken regularly to keep the pH at that level. Vaginal HRT is supposed to help with pH as well but is maybe not enough for some women.

I have been buying mine from Boots recently, as they have been doing a 3 for 2 offer, but like most good quality supplements, they are not a cheap option.   

[MrsMitch]

Thank you Chopsuey.  I'll try some because the main problem for me, and I apologise in advance this is tmi, is odour. That's how I know I've got an imbalance. I'm fed up with smelling like the quayside on a hit day after the catch has been landed 🤣. Sorry, i really am.

[Jenna]

Have a look at YES water-based lubricant, MrsMitch. It is pH balanced to help prevent thrush and bacterial infections. It can just be used as a vaginal moisturiser as well and I find it very effective.

I hope this helps! 

[MrsMitch]

I tried that, Jenny, but unfortunately it stings really badly when I apply it so not a good one for me. Ive tried it on a few occasions and had to wash it off.But thank you for suggesting it.

[Dierdre]

I've been diagnosed by my GP as having a bladder prolapse. I'm not sure on the grade. I'm waiting on an appointment with a urogynaecologist but it could take a couple of months to get in depending on their cancellation list). I'm in a lot of pain. Pulling pain in the pelvis when I lie down, nerve pain, tingling, numbness around urethra and general vaginal area. I can't sleep. I now notice I'm leaking urine as well. This has only come on since early December and is due to perimenopause (I'm 49).

I've got appointments with a pelvic floor physio but those aren't for a few weeks.

I'm on HRT (Estradot patch 75mcg) and Ovestin cream for VA. I've been using the vaginal cream since 7th Dec 24.

I'm terrified how quickly this seems to be progressing and I'm worried I will have permanent nerve damage due to the long wait times to be seen. Has anyone else had pain and pulling in the bladder and pelvis that they were able to resolve, what worked, how long did it take? Was surgery required? I'm open to anything to get some semblance of my life and sleep back.

My prolapse (post menopause) was reversed with lots of local estrogen, vagifem and estriol (ovestin). It's caused by lack of estrogen and systemic HRT doesn't always sort the genital area out so you will need alot more local estrogen as well. I had a physiotherapist for a few months who showed me how to do the exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. These have to be done correctly or it can make things worse. The physio will examine you internally while standing and instruct you to pull in the correct muscles to make this work. The exercises have to be done combined with local estrogen treatment if you stop the treatment the prolapse will return.  Don't lift anything heavy and try to avoid constipation and straining. I didn't need surgery but this depends on the grade, mine was Grade 1. The physio said she'd had up to grade 3 and been succesful.
It was also lack of estrogen that caused a slight prolapse when my 3rd child was 6 months old, I was 29 years old. The gynae told me it was nothing to do with the birth but lack of estrogen. I'd had 3 children in 4 years and breast fed all of them so I was either pregnant or/and breastfeeding in all that time and not regularly ovalating causing a lack of estrogen. Once I reduced the breast feeds and started ovalating again the prolaspe resolved on it's own so it's definately a main factor.
I had a medical doughnut to sit on at work to make things more comfortable. Yoga helped, the cat cow position pulls in the pelvic floor and helped.
I did try a pessary but it was too hard and more uncomfortable than the prolapse, although some poeple have alot of success with them.
Don't know what dosage you're on with the Ovestin but I'd ask for vagifem aswell and ask to use daily.

[chopsuey]

Thank you Chopsuey.  I'll try some because the main problem for me, and I apologise in advance this is tmi, is odour. That's how I know I've got an imbalance. I'm fed up with smelling like the quayside on a hit day after the catch has been landed 🤣. Sorry, i really am.

Not TMI - if we can't be upfront and honest on here, where can we be?  Well, I hope you find it helps. I certainly notice the difference with odour if I stop taking it - I do smell 'fresher' down there when I take it regularly

[KaraShannon]

What I can offer is while you are waiting, maybe try some pumpkin seed oil.  It is supposed to raise testosterone in the tissues of the pelvic area.  I need to try this again but I'm worried if it has tyramine in it (no idea really, but I already get migraine with vaginal oestrogen so can't use that, and trying with estriol as it's milder and then once I know what I can tolerate I'm going to try with pumpkin seed oil, but my issues are different, good luck getting seen and I'm sure at this stage things have every change of improving and reversing as it's not been long)