Print

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

[Northerngirl]

Hi ladies, just wanted to say that you're not alone with this issue I've only started on vagifem in March and it's not really producing miracles for me so far either  but it's early days.... I've had the generic estradiol pessaries prescribed yesterday  so we'll see what happens.
I've not got symptoms as bad as you ladies that's for sure so I really feel for you as mine are bad enough. It gets you down doesn't it, the constant pain/discomfort, constant bladder pressure or constantly weeing etc etc ....whatever individual issues we have we get a lot of help/advice on this forum. It's good to know that we are not the only one suffering.
Good luck ladies and let's keep updating and helping each other x

[MrsMitch]

I know Snowcat & I are trying to find out exactly what causes our flare ups, Northerngirl, too. She's been struggling since yesterday & I've in so much pain since last night. Mine has spread to the outer area where my public hair is - the outer area near my vagina & bottom. I have no idea, nor has she, what's suddenly done it. So it seems what ever we're using, this wretched condition just likes to break through.

[Lime]

Northerngirl,   
Thank you very much for giving your moral support.   I have used both Vagifem and the generic Estradiol pessaries.   I can’t say that either one is much better or worse.   That doesn’t help much I know.

Lesred,  thank you for the laugh about “off to wee”.

MrsMitch,  this is certainly a rollercoaster ride.   Last night I too was in terrible pain.   Today not as terrible.  It’s strange the way the pain can affect one area one day and a different area the next day and come and go.   If you and Snowcat can figure it out, we’ll all be grateful!

I also don’t understand how some women
do not have this problem at all.   Aren’t we lucky.

xx

[Lesred]

Oh goodness that is me at the moment too MrsMitch, mine is also spreading to outside, and like you I just don’t know what to do, the whole area is very unhappy, it’s like trying to put out a bush fire! I’m never sure what’s going to set fire next…

Northern girl thank you for solidarity it really does help as I’m sure we all know, and please please MrsMitch I would be so enormously delighted if there was suddenly something that actually worked, imagine how exciting! The problem is I know when all is fine and I even think to myself wow it’s all been good down in my nethers for ages, and then it’s suddenly not! And Lime you are so right, none of my friends have this issue, or they choose to keep quiet perhaps, which doesn’t help anyone.

I promise to say if I work out what helps, but I’m never sure why it’s ok when it is ok. Lots of good wishes for happy nethers to you all and good luck in all your efforts!

Lesred x x

[MrsMitch]

I have huge difficulty with lots of ladies I know who sailed through the menopause. We had a couple round a few weeks ago & they are relatively new friends. She mentioned her health as she's having joint pain & I asked how old she was when she went through the menopause. Her husband said ' oh she didn't go through the menopause ' (she's 64) my husband & I looked at each other & really struggled not to laugh. She was early 50's when she did but symptom free. He didn't know what to say when he was told every woman goes through menopause!
Then there are the friends who are keen to dismiss your struggles because they didn't have any problems, they are the worst. They've seen me in sleeveless tops in winter with the back of my hair wet & just said aren't you cold.
If there is ever a press article about menopause online & you go to the comments section, it usual has lots of people, many women too, criticising those who have an awful menopause as exaggerating or being pathetic because their mothers, wives, sisters & aunts never used to complain like we apparently do.
But when you meet a woman who hasn't had a good time it's like you've met a kindred spirit. Suddenly you've got so much in common.
I always say that if you had been diagnosed with any debilitating illness, no one would question the difficulties you go through. But with this, it's totally different. It's very much them & us as I've yet to meet a woman who had an easy menopause that has even an ounce of understanding or compassion. My husband will tell friends off if they start with the 'well I can't understand it, I sailed through it' & he will happily educate ignorant husbands, too!

[Jules]

I'm envious of women who moved through the menopause with little fuss or change. I know some. I've not told anyone fully  about my issues, only my GP and a younger friend who has started with VA. I have ME. I get the same reaction to telling people about that. ME and VA, people don't want to know or think it's all in my head. But I have a friend whose menopause symptoms were so severe, very low mood, repeated hot flushes, anxiety,  she one day wanted to fling herself down the stairs. So it should be taken seriously. She has never had any problems down below. We don't all get the same symptoms. Nobody tells you do they, it's all about puberty and pregnancy but nothing beyond.  My symptoms were minimal and manageable (the VA had started but I didn't know) till I reached 60 and its been downhill since then. If I hadn't happened to find this site and read experiences, particularly Ayesha, I dread to think the state I'd be in. As it is, my vagifem and estriol cream are holding the ship steady for now

[MrsMitch]

I'm envious of women who moved through the menopause with little fuss or change. I know some.

I'm not convinced they do, though. Of the ones I know they all have serious health problems that IIRC from reading here, may not have happened if they had been given HRT in spite of not having any menopause symptoms. 3 have debilitating osteoarthritis & 2 heart problems. A further one has such brittle bones she's terrified of just a small knock breaking yet another bone.
Am I remembering correctly that I read a low therapeutic dose could have changed their future health? I does make me wonder.
I have another friend who didn't notice the menopause but she's getting awful problems with fatigue & aching joints. She stopped having periods about 10 years ago. I suppose there is no way to tell but it does make me wonder.

[Jules]

I have two friends with no noticeable menopause problems and they're both in relatively good health.

[Northerngirl]

I found out in July I have mild osteoarthritis and this scares me now .
20 months since I gave up HRT and really don't want to have to go on it again but it's definitely a concern now x

[Jules]

I can imagine it is a worry. Do you think it's related to hrt? From all the health checks I've had, I can't say I have anything like that, I'm 67. I don't need BP meds and my heart is ok. I've never taken systemic HRT. Who knows.

[Ayesha]

It is also down to your genetic heritage. The women in my family generations ago lived very long lives into their 90's, two members dying in recent years at over 90.
I do come from a very huge family and I can honestly say that those who have not lead a healthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, are not doing as well as those who do. It makes a huge difference to how you live your life to how your body reacts during the ageing process.

[Jules]

I think the same Ayesha. My dad lived to 94. My mum is still here at 91. My great aunt lived to 107. I have never smoked, I stopped drinking 2 years ago. I don't eat fried or processed foods. I have the odd sweet treat. I've still got a menopause belly and VA though.  I think it's lifestyle, genetics and luck of the draw

[MrsMitch]

Whatever I read was potentially flawed, perhaps!! So I will erase that from by memory because it's so vbad, I could do with more space for something important 😆

[Lime]

This may be a ridiculous thought but would an epsom salt bath soak
 ( unscented of course)  be soothing for VA pain?

[Ayesha]

A big no from me on that. Epsom salts are very drying and will bring on a flare up. I learnt the hard way not realising what was causing my flares, I love an Epsom salts bath!