Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Old Frumpy]

So after too much googling I found myself here!  Some what releaved it is also a UK site - like me
Anyway I really feel I am too old in the tooth to be joining and posting on here as in late sixties, but have been struggling with what have presented as UTI's but after 3 negative tests and grumbling about burning and constant trips to the loo for very little !! GP has asked do I want to go to a Menopause Clinic.  After picking myself up from the chair and saying my age - she felt it was an option to think about.

Some 15 to 20 years back I went to a urogynaecology after presenting with almost the same syptoms and ending up on Vagifem - which I stayed on for 5-6 years.  I was also told to take cimetidine later rantidine to stop acid in bladder, sadly neither available now.

Despite explaining this I think my GP is really being careful because I recently had cancer and although clear I feel my age and history is making her want another opinion, so now waiting.

Thank you for reading and hope to seek so advice.

[sheila99]

 
Sadly if you have va (or GSM as it's now called) you have it for life and will need ongoing treatment to be comfortable. Your gp shouldn't need a second opinion though, so little local oestrogen is absorbed into the blood it's considered safe even for those with oestrogen receptive cancer. I waited 2 years for an appointment in an NHS meno clinic, if the wait is as long in your area you may want to chase your gp. Worth asking if the surgery has a hrt specialist as they should prescribe without waiting for the meno clinic.

[Minusminnie]

Hi Old Frumpy

Are you able to come at this from another way and seek advice about this from the cancer specialists you saw who can then advise/reassure your GP.

For your information, as you are familiar with it, you can now buy Vagifem over the counter in Boots pharmacy under the name of Gina.

[Old Frumpy]

Thank you both.....firstly I had not heard it called and yes it most certainly is a better name as it most certainly is a collection of the three.

Also Minusminnie I do have a specialist nurse (5 years post cancer) and I have spoken to her and she has said that even women with breast cancer can later down the line have it, as like you say it is such a small and localized dose.  I wonder if my nurse can approach my consultant or his team and ask for letter saying OK - she is in same office as his secretary.

You mentioned Boots - I looked on line and they ask questions which if answered I felt might throw up queries also I feel uneasy speaking to someone.  TBH I have a full strip Vagifem which use by date was Feb 23 or I would have used them.

Thank you.

[Borchesterlass]

I’m 69 and have been using vagifem for years .really helps with gsm /va. When I’ve bought vagifem or Gina I’ve bought it online ftom boots or Superdrug . Much easier to get round the difficult questions . When I tried to buy it face to  face it felt like the Spanish Inquisition!!

[Ayesha]

Please read this document it will help you loads. You never needed to stop taking Vagifem, once you develop GSM symptoms you are on it for life.
Ask your GP for a repeat prescription, it can be as simple as that.
https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf