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[Mosesmum]

Hi Ladies.

I do hope someone can help me with my issue which is the dreaded dryness  .

My brief history is a hysterectomy about 9 years ago. Up until recently I was on everol( 25 ) and vagifem ( 2x week ). But I decided to come off everol as my weight had been creeping up … so I came off very slowly and lost a stone ( calorie counting as well ). So all was good. Continued vagifem as normal but the vagina dryness has come back . So I saw the doctor and started using the cream Estriol 1mg to see if that helped.
The weird thing is my sex drive has increased (  ) but the soreness is quite bad to the point it’s painful 😣. I also use “yes “ lubricant .

Is there anything else I can try or other suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thank you ☺️

[CLKD]

  R U using every night, 'vagifem' internally and 'estriol' on the outer labia area.  There are lots of threads about vaginal atrophy which can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well!

If U find the YES helps then continue as necessary as well as a good lube, we rely on KY Jelly.

Browse round.  Make notes.

[Mosesmum]

Hi

Thank you for replying.

I’m on vagifem 2 x week but I’m guessing I could ask doctor for 1x day .

I will have a good look round the site and get some more info.

Before going on patches I regularly suffered UTI ‘s …. So much so that the doctor let me hold a supply of antibiotics 

[CLKD]

U don't need to ask your GP for permission to use Vagifem every night.  Although the leaflet in the box is incorrect and Dr Newson is trying to get manufacturers to update it, and many GPs don't know the impact of this condition , it is quite safe to use as often as required.

Usually GPs give antibiotics but they won't cure the loss of oestrogen although they did relieve my symptoms.

Use every night this week to find out how much benefit you get, when is your next prescription due?

[Mosesmum]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. 

From memory I think I get my prescription every 3 months and not due for 2 months so I could use 1xnight but would run out very quickly.

I am currently on the phone to doctors surgery to see if they will increase my prescription so I can try 1xnight. Fingers crossed !

I will update you 

[SundayGirl]

I agree with CLKD. If you increase your usage of local oestrogen the dryness and soreness issues should improve.

You will probably get some replies saying you need to go back to systemic HRT but that is not necessarily the case. If you have other symptoms, then it it a choice you could make but the first line treatment for dryness (GSM or VA) is always local oestrogen.

Good luck with your call to the GP 

[Mosesmum]

Hi

Thank you for your reply .

I definitely do not want to go back on patches as apart from the dryness I feel better off them and my weight is normal now where as before I was feeling heavy and bloated.

I have just spoken to the surgery and I have to wait 2 weeks for a call back  re the prescription ....... jeez its a sign of the times I guess !

[SundayGirl]

Two weeks seems an awfully long time to have to wait for a simple thing like this, not to mention the waste of time for both you and a GP.

Is there an email facility where you can put in a request? The last time I had an issue with a medication, I emailed my surgery and had it sorted in a couple of days without having to speak to anyone.

As a backup plan, there's always the option to buy a box of Gina from the pharmacy then you can let the GP know that an increase has made you more comfortable.

[Ayesha]

They are messing me about with my Vagifem, all lack of communication but I've just sent an email via patient access, are you able to do something like that.

I agree with everyone about increasing your dose, its topical and harmless and I would get ahead of the game and buy what I need until they get their arses in gear. Yes, Gina is cruelly expensive but you can buy Ovesse cream from Boots which is not too expensive.

Let us know how it goes, every day is a fight day when we women have to constantly battle something that is the easiest thing is the world to control once we are given the right tools.  Sorry for the rant, think its going to be one of those days!!

[CLKD]

    none of us should have to wait for a call back, mayB ask for an appt with the Nurse Practitioner Mosesmum ?  R U able to access the Surgery directly, when I have issues I fetch up at the desk with a frown 

There are restrictions on over the counter GINA so do read up on the 'rules' first. 

[Mosesmum]

Yes I agree it’s a poor system for sure  ….. I will try an e mail ✉️ if I can. Hoping my doctor will see request and realise it’s just a call so may happen within few days.

I didn’t realise you could buy this over the counter ?? Gina ? So I could pop into boots and get some ? If that’s the case I will definately do that !!

[Mosesmum]

I’ve just ordered some Gina online Boots …. So I will have enough now to use every night till hopefully doctor calls
 

Thank you ladies 

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on and well done on being proactive 

Do read Jane Lewis' book Me and My Menopausal Vagina ;-). 4warned is 4armed.

[Mosesmum]

 :)thank you i will xx

[LDH]

Hi Ladies.

I do hope someone can help me with my issue which is the dreaded dryness  .

My brief history is a hysterectomy about 9 years ago. Up until recently I was on everol( 25 ) and vagifem ( 2x week ). But I decided to come off everol as my weight had been creeping up … so I came off very slowly and lost a stone ( calorie counting as well ). So all was good. Continued vagifem as normal but the vagina dryness has come back . So I saw the doctor and started using the cream Estriol 1mg to see if that helped.
The weird thing is my sex drive has increased (  ) but the soreness is quite bad to the point it’s painful 😣. I also use “yes “ lubricant .

Is there anything else I can try or other suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thank you ☺️

Hi I was on Vagifem  x2 week for about 4 years and then just got horribly dry etc....
It took a while to sort it out but im finding Estriol 1mg and yes moisturiser works . Estriol x 3 or 4 times a week vaginally, Estriol tinty amount on vulva now and then and yes moisturiser at least twice a day.
Took a while for me to get used to the Estriol as it would make me red and sore, so I just used a little amount , stopping and starting also mixing a little with yes.

As all the other ladies have said its an ongoing process !