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[God0002]

Hi all,
I am a 30 y3qr old woman who has been told has vaginal atrophy 2 years post hysterectomy.
I am currently having blood tests for estrogen levels etc.
However, I have tried ovestin cream and in 6 week the itch and burn was worse than ever! I have just started on vegifem. Just wanting some advice on how long it'll take to see some improvement?
I've been. Like this for a year now and honestly don't know how much more I can take.
Thanks for any advice or reassurance

[CLKD]

Morning.  Do read the various threads on vaginal atrophy - doing a search wlll take you there.

Sometimes the skin may be sensitive to the fillers rather than the active ingredient.  R U using the 'vagifem' pessary internally and a moistoriser on the outer labia etc. every night?

Let us know the results of the blood tests.  U may also consider HRT to protect bones and heart which some find helps with VA symptoms. 

[God0002]

Hello! Thanks so much for reply.
Bloods came back as okay so looking like it's just localised and my one ovary is keeping up yay!
I am using the vagifem pessary and a little bit of the ovestin on the outside every night. Just so over the constant tingling and itch! I would just love to wear a pair of jeans!

[Pippa52]

I also had a hysterectomy at aged 30 and ovaries out at aged 42.  I find the YES OB very helpful I use it every day it helps keeps things a bit more moisturised.  Hope so much you feel better soon - the itch is a nightmare!

[God0002]

Thanks so much! I think I'm going to start using a internal moisturiser just to help things until the vegifem kicks in!! The itch and tingle and aierd bubble feeling is the pits. Just nice knowing I'm not going crazy lol

[Ayesha]

It took me four months to feel better but a year to be symptom free using Vagifem and Estriol.
Moisturisers are a very important part of the VA (GSM) regime, vital I would say!

[CLKD]

Not going crazy at all!  We do have a thread on 'doing stupid things' which should reassure you and look out for That Strange Women in my House ;-)

I find that a good smear of KY Jelly also helps in the outer labia area.

[God0002]

Thank you all so much.  Yep I'll internal and external moisturises in-between the estrogen!  For the last year this stupid thing has been treated as bacterial vaginosis. Thank God I know now

[CLKD]

Who diagnosed this?  It often has an odour - were samples sent for checking?

[God0002]

I was getting bv every month and it's only when I went to a women's health dr she explained that the atrophy Was making me more susceptible to bv and thrush and that constant antibiotics wasn't going to fix it. She examined me, looked at my history etc and we went from there.  Being 30, apparently it's not a thing that's explored under normal circumstance .
Swabs were taken and positive result a lot.

[CLKD]

So a +ve result for BV .......

She knows about VA, hold onto that one  and don't let on or we will be forming a queue ;-)

There is a good book: Me and My Menopause Vagina: which all medics should read ...... there may still be copies on Amazon.

VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well.  Appropriate treatment will ease it.

[God0002]

Yes positive for bv. Bit even after I'd finished the treatment the itvhing, soreness and tingling would remain and no one found understand why.
Thank you all for your help! I'll start with the moisturiser and persevere with it all! Hopefully in a few weeks things ease and I can wear my jeans again x

[sheila99]

Hello! Thanks so much for reply.
Bloods came back as okay so looking like it's just localised and my one ovary is keeping up yay!
I am using the vagifem pessary and a little bit of the ovestin on the outside every night. Just so over the constant tingling and itch! I would just love to wear a pair of jeans!

Would you mind telling me what your levels were and which day of your cycle they were taken? I'm curious to know what level you need to prevent va. Hoping my own increase in oestrogen will sort mine out but I haven't tested yet.

[God0002]

I was mid cycle and was at 140. Under 120 indicated menopausal. However doc did say blood work doesn't diagnose va. The blood level of estrogen doesn't impact the estrigen level in the vagina. So in my case with no uterus , I'm missing the key component that channels estrogen to the vagina and vulva tissues.

[sheila99]

Thanks. I really think you need to see someone with more knowledge of menopause. You levels at their highest are well below that required to protect you heart and bones long term. Some say 250 minimum, others 300, and it should be for at least until your early 50s. Osteoporosis isn't nice...