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[Maryan1285]

Have so far been really successful using Vagifem... no UTI for nearly 9 months. However things changed last week after a very stressful 2 months with my daughter very ill in hospital. I found myself going off track a bit with diet, alcohol too much sugar, lack of sleep etc.  Also I was only using Vagifem twice a week. About 10 days ago I developed another what I thought was a UTI not many symptoms other than frequency , a little burning and some blood in urine. Seems to have settled down after a few days on antibiotics and the GP said I should step up the Vagifem everyday for 2 weeks. However I have now had a message from a different GP  requesting that I see a Urologist for further tests. If the doctor doesnt think this was a UTI but responded well to Antibiotics what else could it be. ? My anxiety is going through the roof!!

Naturally I find this very worrying so hopefully someone here has had a similar experience and  can put my mind at rest.

[bombsh3ll]

Obviously I don't have access to all the information your GP has but nothing you have said warrants a urology referral.

Recurrent UTIs in an untreated/suboptimally treated menopausal woman are due to genitourinary syndrome of menopause in close to 100% of cases.

Urology referral should only be considered if the problem continues despite adequate estrogenisation, which is unlikely to be the case with just twice weekly vagifem.

Why not ask your GP what specifically they would be asking of the urologist and why they think that is necessary. You can always decline a referral if you don't feel it is warranted, however your GP might be acting on information not shared here so it is worth knowing their thoughts before declining.

And finally what about the rest of your body - just treating the vagina rather than the whole person seldom results in the best outcomes for most women and genital atrophy can also really improve when estrogen is delivered via the bloodstream, which is nature's preferred way of getting it to those tissues.

Anxiety also can be a consequence of low ovarian hormones.

[Ayesha]

The only thing you did wrong was to only use Vagifem twice a week, a totally useless dosage for most.
Go back to using daily and not just for two weeks, if your symptoms stop then no need to be referred, you can cancel this appointment, you have choices.

No need for all the anxiety, you are going through enough!

 

[Ayesha]

And finally what about the rest of your body - just treating the vagina rather than the whole person seldom results in the best outcomes for most women and genital atrophy can also really improve when estrogen is delivered via the bloodstream, which is nature's preferred way of getting it to those tissues.

Anxiety also can be a consequence of low ovarian hormones.

I believe there are women here on systemic HRT but still need to use topical oestrogen to relieve GSM. One step at a time is best I think and systemic HRT can always be thought about further down the line, but I am sure the women posting here are mature enough to realise this for themselves.

[Northerngirl]

Hi Maryan1285, I think it is standard to be referred to urology when there is blood present in your urine.....this happened to me 16 months ago. I was sent for a cytoscopy and ct scan as standard on the 2 week referral. Please don't worry....I know this is easier said than done.
Like others have said it is probably VA .

[Maryan1285]

Thanks All for your really helpful advice. Interestingly enough the doctor I saw first who suggested to step up the Vagifem was a woman but the doctor who emailed me the next day to request I see a Urologist was a man !

However I think for the moment I will finish the course of antibiotics, use Vagifem daily, wait 2 weeks and then do another urine test.  At the moment I am back to my old self , clear urine no urgency and even managed to get through the night with only one visit to the bathroom. Can't ask for more than that at my age!!!

[Maryan1285]

Had another urine test the other day  ( 2 weeks after antibiotics ) and the result came back as no UTI but still raised leukocytes and micro hematuria. Less than before but still there. Have upped Vagifem to nightly for 2 weeks and feel so much better. Even slept through the night ..no trips to the bathroom ...amazing !! However the doctor still wants me to see a urologist so I think I need to agree even though I went through the same problems in 2019 and 2023 (pre Vagifem)

Of course his insistence has pushed my anxiety up several notches as I am sure he thinks it is something more serious. Do hope I don’t have to wait too long for an appointment as my negative thinking has gone into overdrive. Anyone else dealing with the same concerns.?

[Northerngirl]

Hi, please don't worry too much....believe me I know it's easier than done.
Like I said previously I went through similar 16 months ago....before then I had never had any issues with utis. I had a ct scan to check kidneys and a cytoscopy to look inside my bladder....I believe this is is standard and many ladies have gone through the same.
I don't know if you've had these tests before but they really weren't anything to worry about ( I  was so worried beforehand but if I had to have them again I'd be fine) I was referred on the 2ww and was seen within about 3 weeks
Please ask me anything....if I can give you any more advice I will.
But please don't overthink things as all these tests are standard and eliminate things, GP just doing what they have to do.
Let us know x

[CLKD]

Blood in urine is often present due to tearing of the very thin vaginal walls or it mayB due to infection.

In the mean time, do use the VA treatment every night for as long as necessary.  VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well.

[Lime]

Hi Maryan,

Hope you have gotten some relief.  Did upping the Vagifem to every night improve things for you?   I used Vagifem 2 days in a row recently but have terrible burning/stinging after doing that. 

x

[CLKD]

Lime - if vaginal tissues are thin then initially VA treatment may cause stinging. Some find that they react to the fillers/packaging rather than the active ingredient.  U could try estriol instead?

Maryan1285 - what did U decide?

[Lime]

CLKD  Think I am just sensitive to everything.  Wish I could use Estriol but it burns like crazy.

[CLKD]

Lime - have U tried KY Jelly?  It's water based and should sting less. 

[Lime]

CLKD,  No to KY.  Trying different topical estrogens.

[Ayesha]

You might find using a moisturiser mixed with topical oestrogens will help if you suffer stinging from the ingredients. Yes moisturisers are very popular, I wouldn't be without.