Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Not a Forum member? You can still subscribe to our Free Newsletter

media

Author Topic: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life  (Read 967 times)

Angie2536

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« on: October 18, 2025, 06:03:17 PM »

Hi there,

I am 51 years old and had my last (very light) period in January, so definitely nearing menopause. I don't have the common symptoms such as hot flushes but I have been suffering for the past 2 years from extreme dryness down below which has been diagnosed as Vaginal Atrophy by my GP. She prescribed Ovestin cream which seemed to ease the burning for the first few months, but now the burning is back and keeping me awake at night, making me need to pee at night which I didn't used to do and I'm waking up feeling exhausted. I have also tried various vaginal moisturisers and oils which only seem to help partially for a day or two. I went back to my GP asking if I could try a stronger form of vaginal estrogen for the burning but she said there was nothing else available. I then asked if I could try full hrt (patches) but she seemed a bit reluctant and warned me of the side effects such as deep vein thrombosis and cancer. I am overweight but not grossly, I wonder if that's why she is reluctant to prescribe HRT? I am a bit worried about taking it as I am on Sertraline and have a history of anxiety and depression. I feel very low and more and more "numb" these days and wonder if it is a hormone deficiency. I am at my wits end and felt so disappointed that my GP didn't seem to have a solution to this. Please could anyone advise if HRT patches worked better for vaginal dryness for them and also poor sleeping? I am not sexually active which may also be causing more problems. Many thanks in advance!
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79053
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2025, 07:40:47 PM »

there are plenty of options for VA treatment, your GP needs to update her (lack of) knowledge.

Vaginal atrophy mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well which is why many GPs reach for antibiotic treatments.  The idea is to. use treatment every night for 2-3 weeks then when necessary: some ladies need it every night for a long time as well as a mostiorisor.  I have 'estriol'ovestin' internally with a smear of it on the outer labia or I use KY jelly there.  Some find YES VM helpful - do read the various threads here. Make notes ;-)

Some require HRT as well as localised treatment in and around the vagina.  So using both can make a big difference.

Initially I would ask for a referral from your surgery to a dedicated menopause clinic.  There are waiting lists both on the NHS and in the private sector, once seen a treatment regime can be sent to your GP to support your vagina's needs.  Hopefully more GPs will begin to work with rather than be stuck in a box of "U can't use X, Y, Z together" because we cannot over dose on oestrogen.



Your GP is totally out of date with regards DVT unless you have a history in which case she should be referring U, as above.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.  Whether we R/not sexually active is irrelevant to VA which is due to loss of oestrogen.  This may cause the body to become dry: inside and out; scalp, skin, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes ..... as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Don't panic.  How often are U inserting the 'ovestin'?
Logged

Ayesha

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1664
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2025, 07:49:49 PM »

Disgraceful and dismissive advice from your GP. There are a list of treatments in the link below just scroll down to find it.
If you are only using the topical treatment twice a week, you will probably need to increase the dose which is perfectly safe to do so.

I don't know enough about systemic HRT but there are plenty of ladies here who do and I am sure they will be along to give their advice.
What I do know is how much ignorance there is from medics regarding all things menopause and the treatments available, its vitally important to educate ourselves on the subject.

https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf
Logged

Angie2536

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2025, 11:36:35 AM »

Hi @CLKD,


Thanks so much for your reply. I apply Ovestin internally every night, but recently it hasn't been stopping the burning feeling, I tried applying it externally as well as internally last night but it seemed to make me feel depressed the next day. I have heard Vagifem (estradiol) in tablet form or pessaries would be another option as it might be stronger than Ovestin? I mentioned it to my GP but she dismissed Vagifem saying it was basically the same thing. I felt angry about that, as surely I should be given the option to try it at least? I think you can buy it over the counter as the brand "Gina" but its quite expensive. I am a bit wary of full HRT as I have depression and anxiety, but perhaps they might improve symptoms. My main problem is poor sleep as once I wake up for a pee it takes me ages to get back to sleep. Thanks again for your reply  :)
Logged

Angie2536

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2025, 11:39:12 AM »

@Ayesha, thanks so much for your reply, yes terrible to be dismissed like that, will look at the link you shared. :)
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79053
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2025, 12:39:42 PM »

Your GP needs to stick her head down the toilet bowl and have water flushed: several times !   :kick:  her time will come ;-)

If buying Gina OTC as a stop gap, then getting the area comfortable is important. Is there another GP in the practice with more knowledge, or mayB ask the Nurse Practitioner who may be better informed. U could point the latter towards MM so that U can work together to find an on-going solution.

It mayB that vagifem would suit your tender vagina better, sometimes it's the fillers that skin objects to [in many products].  Also there is YES VM [I think] for the labia/vulval area to keep it soft and less likely 2 tear.


The depressive feeling may be due to a drop of oestrogen overall and irrelevant to the VA treatment. 
Logged

Ayesha

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1664
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2025, 12:52:20 PM »

I have heard Vagifem (estradiol) in tablet form or pessaries would be another option as it might be stronger than Ovestin? I mentioned it to my GP but she dismissed Vagifem saying it was basically the same thing.

Dear oh dear can it get any worse, your GP is demonstrating she has no knowledge of the treatments for GSM symptoms, its usually the first option when we first present at the surgery.

From my experience Nurse Practitioners are more knowledgeable than GP's on all things to do with the menopause, make an appointment with her/him and ask for Vagifem, you should not have to buy it.
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79053
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2025, 05:08:36 PM »

Agreed, we should not be buying treatment available on the NHS. Also at the same time, get a referral to a decicated menopause clinic because there are long waiting lists both on the NHS and in the private sector.  If U don't require the appt when it does arrive U can cancel.

Let us know how you get on!
Logged

Angie2536

  • First Flush
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Please help, terrible burning ruining my life
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2025, 05:39:53 PM »

Thank you so much CLKD and Ayesha, I appreciate your replies so much, I will let you know how I get on. I have an appointment on Wednesday with the GP had to wait three weeks for it! The joys of the NHS..
Logged