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[Old Frumpy]

Despite being told it is only slight risk my GP will not restart me on Vagifem.

Started BP medication couple months back ans within 4-5 days UTI like symptoms and burning.  After 3 tests and no infection GP gave me antibotic and relief kicked in for about 10days.  I told her my quality of life was impacted and that me symptoms resembled 15 years ago and that Vagifem helped, now in late sixties it is back. BP med changed and still have milder symptoms - but it naws away at you. Sadly mouth cancer (all clear) 18mths ago and will not consider.

Was given hydrocortisone for around skin just inside told only use for 1 week given product to clean as to aviod soap and it was like applying fire, Yes in single use and Silkie sting too much.  Friend gave me a small amount coconut oil to try but so thick and really unsure where I can use it.  Sent for Balance Active almond oil tabs to insert and try.

Just need advice on what wont react like fire.

It's dreadful I know what helps but buying Gina online seems a risk and could not truthfully answer questions asked.

Any advice what to try.  Feel like an old dry walnut

Finally I had a PM from member and sadly not been around long enough to post PM's apologies to Lime

[Dierdre]

Is there another doctor or practice nurse who specialises in menopause you can see? Ask for a referral to see a gynaecologist and menopause clinic. The gynae will probably be quicker as waiting lists are long for the clinics. You can buy Gina over the counter at Boots and other chemists now so I'd try that while waiting for a referral.

[CLKD]

Your GP needs head stuffing down the loo and flush pulled, lots of times.  What's the connection with oral cancer and vaginal atrophy treatment ? 

Have a word with the Practice Manager and ask what the Practice protocols are on prescribing HRT.  Also ask her to speak to the particular GP to find out exactly what the problem might be and which 'risks' are possible.  Then report to the BMS and Dr Currie!  There are still too many medics who will not understand the risk factors which are in general, low.

Ask also for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, don't wait ...... there are waiting lists, if when the appt arrives U can cancel.

[jaypo]

I agree with the other ladies,vagifem will NOT interfere with anything regarding your mouth cancer (well done for beating it btw  ) go back and see someone else,it's also good to mention you've had advice on here too,believe it or not,we sometimes know what we're talking about 

[sheila99]

I would complain to the practice manager, it's downright cruel to leave someone on pain when they don't have to be. Go armed with the advice from NICE and the bmms. So little is absorbed systemically I doubt anyone except your GP thinks it's a risk.

[bombsh3ll]

That has to be one of the most ridiculous reasons I have ever come across not to prescribe ANY hormone therapy let alone vaginal - only estrogen sensitive cancers eg SOME breast cancers, endometrial cancer etc are a (relative) contraindication to systemic estrogen, but vaginal estrogen has virtually no contraindications.

Sorry but you need to see someone who has actually been to medical school.

Vaginal estrogen has no clinically meaningful systemic absorption, but even if it did it wouldn't matter here. You could gargle with it and it would have no bearing on the risk of oral cancer recurrence.

[CLKD]

Hydrocortisone shouldn't be used often on delicate areas ;-)


Go in with the words "Quality of Life is important so I would like appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment please or a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic".  Also buy a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina' written by a member of this Forum, read and hand to that GP ;-).

[Old Frumpy]

I think I will try Boots, it was suggested I have referral to Menopause clinic - notthing since.  I do have acsess to a nurse through my 5 year plan post cancer, she is great and unlike the surgery she will look at any blood test etc, I have already spoke to hear and she too like you can see no reason to not have it.

Will Boots ask questions etc like my BP meds and asthma cancer etc.....I cannot fabricate things, but have the Almond oil pessary arriving I hope tomorrow so if no joy Boots.

Thank you all for the support  -  when I turned the corner 18 months ago my outlook was to grab the world and go, I am certain it is related to starting BP meds as my mouth is also so very dry and now on dry eye drops......no idea what else can dry out

[VioletAquarius]

I was going to say the same thing, in that I cannot believe a GP would think estrogen hormone therapy would be a concern to mouth cancer. Hormone therapy can only be a concern to estrogen sensitive cancers.

Then I decided to Google and there are a few things popping up, I haven't read them all, but the AI said "While there's no direct evidence that estrogen hormone therapy (HRT) causes mouth cancer, studies suggest it may play a role in the development or progression of oral cancer. Some research indicates that estrogen can increase the movement of precancerous cells in the mouth and potentially promote the spread of head and neck cancers. Additionally, HRT has been linked to an increased risk of oral cavity cancer in postmenopausal women".

There's been a study done, but I don't understand it - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9572981/

Now, I understand these are probably in relation to systemic estrogen as opposed to local vaginal estrogen.

[Dierdre]

I think this would be systemic HRT not local estrogens as the amount that goes systemic is miniscule.

[bombsh3ll]

There is absolutely no good quality evidence of estrogen causing or exacerbating oral cancer.

This is just a knee jerk reaction to the word cancer without the application of any knowledge regarding the relevant science or physiology.

A good question to ask whenever there is reticence to prescribe estrogen with any previous or concurrent medical condition is " if I were 35 and had oral cancer, would the treatment involve having my ovaries removed or being placed into chemical menopause?".

I can guarantee the answer would be no.

[Ayesha]

I honestly thought I had heard it all, gobsmackingly mad world we live in, I have no more words.
Apart from ladies, fight the good fight!!

[CLKD]

And ditch AI!  Like GOOGLE he don't know nowt!

[Old Frumpy]

Oops ladies what have I started.  Please chill you are brilliant.

As mentioned spoke to my CSN previously - seems to be on the ball and see if she can sort it out.  She tells me not to stress about anything - so will pass it over to her, back on leave end next week and I am seeing her anyway.

CLKD  agree AI and google - he don't know now't. ( not heard now't for years - makes me feel homesick )

[CLKD]

U shouldn't have needed to 'start' anything, but with ignorant medics [ still ] Forums like this are so helpful and supporting.

How do U feel overall?