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[TJL]

Hello All,

I'm a newbie on here, I'm almost 60 and had a pretty straightforward menapause - I had fibroids before which caused me to have really bad periods, so I think I was just so relieved they had stopped - but a couple of months ago I thought I had a recurring UTI but after antibiotics and various visits to my gp and eventually a gynaecologist I was told I had VA and given Vagifem, initially using everyday for 2 weeks then every other day for 2 weeks but after a follow up appointment I'm now using daily for 2 months (currently half way through) and some days I feel completely fine and others the nagging ache in my tummy and discomfort down below as just as bad as when I started using them. ☹️

Having read a lot of your posts I know VA is quite common, so is it normal for the symptoms to come and go so much? And does stress make things worse? I've also had a urology check up so I know my problems are VA related but I was hoping after using the Vagifem for a while now things would have felt better. Also sometimes when I insert them it's fine then another time it's quite uncomfortable and doesn't seem to want to go on at all!

The joys of being an older woman!  xx

[CLKD]

Get that Vagifem up there every night - it can be used every night 4 ever if necessary.

  some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to remind us that we do have 'better' days. 

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, deep in the ears, vagina, eyes ........ have U thought to use pain relief when symptoms niggle, 4 me its' under the belly button so I swallow 2 Nurofen, add 'oestin/estriol' in the afternoon then begin every night for 5-7 .  It can be Trial and Error for a while.

[TJL]

Thank you. This forum is so helpful, reading other people's stories makes you realise that so many others are going through similar things. x

[CLKD]

Stress may make it worse.  Symptoms can be intermittent in that they become worse for a while, mayB because the bodies oestrogen levels continue to fall = dryness.

Some find that using a moisturiser i.e. yes or sylc, or applying ovestin/estriol to the out labia useful to keep that area moist too.  My symptoms are similar to those that you describe.

As for problems with insertion, mayB a little KY Jelly onto the pessary will ease it in more comfortably. 

[Ayesha]

It can take a while to get used to this new regime you suddenly find yourself in, I was very clumsy at first inserting the pessary but you will get used to it.
As CLKD mentioned you may need more than just the pessary, Estriol cream smeared on the outside is a great help too, my tube will last me three months alongside Vagifem and both used daily.
Stress or any other illness like a virus can make your VA symptoms worse.

This link will give you some reassurance:
https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf

[SundayGirl]

It sounds like you need to persevere a little longer to get the tissues plumped up properly.
It may be worth asking your GP for estriol cream to use externally alongside the pessaries.

I also get the low down aching and discomfort in the undercarriage (as my late mum used to call it) if I try to decrease usage too much.

[TJL]

Thank you all so much, it helps a great deal to hear other people are feeling the same and I will persevere and try using some of the creams you suggest as well.

The diary is a good idea too, to remind me that some days I do still feel like my old self!😊