Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: PMB63 on January 26, 2015, 10:44:49 PM
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Hi there, I'm hoping somebody can give me some more advice please. I've had this feeling of discomfort for about a week now and it's getting worse and I've actually gone to bed in tears now. I've tried Canesten Cream, Vagisil and even good old fashioned Sudo Crem but feeling worse by the day. I've managed to get a telephone appointment with the GP for Thursday lunchtime, but can't see myself putting up with the stinging and burning till then. Not sure if this warrants an emergency appointment though?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
By the way I'm nearly 52 and recently started Oestrogel and I'm on day 6 now with the Utrogestan 200mg (taken vaginally)
Thanking you fellow MM supporters in advance.
P X
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Do you think you may be allergic to one of the Utrogestan components? It sounds really uncomfortable for you. I'd get an earlier appointment if possible.
Taz x :hug:
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Hi Taz. I'm not sure although have started feeling irritated down below before I even started the Utrogestan. It just gradually got worse despite me trying different things. No discharge or pain when having a wee, although I wee more than I used to. Have been reading up a bit on my symptoms and wondering if it could be vaginal atrophy?
I will be ringing the GP surgery first thing as it really is so uncomfortable and nothing seems to relieve it.
Thanks for your reply Taz. X :)
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With the menopause the vaginal area will often become atrophied and not produce the natural secretions that keep infections at bay. You become more prone to thrush and bacterial vaginitis that can make you feel itchy and sore. The burning is often in and around the urethra. Local oestrogen can help but I've found I've needed to use gels that help to keep the acidity level up to prevent this type of itching and burning. I use Multi gyn Actigel but there are others like Hylaofmme (you need to get these online as they are seldom available in chemists). Sadly systemic HRT doesn't always solve this problem.
I just use a small amount on the end of my finger and insert it up inside each evening after the shower.
I found things like Canestan and Sudocream really burned badly.
Perhaps try using Utrogestan orally for a while as well.
Over a year ago I did a thread all about this type of discomfort called the 'The Burning Club' - it really is more common than many of us thought.
You may need some Vagifem alongside the systemic HRT as it is sometimes necessary to have both. I use both types of HRT plus the Multi Gyn Actigel!!!!
DG x
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Thanks for this info, DG. I have very mild discomfort compared to what is described, while using HRT and vagifem, but am aware I will need something more. Is Multi gyn actigel available only on prescription or over the counter?
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Multi Gyn Actigel is sometimes on sale in Boots and other chemists but I usually buy it online. No prescription needed as it's all natural stuff. It can sting a bit when first applied but I find it soothing. I up the amount I use if I think thrush is emerging - I find it can treat thrush quite well if you use the extension bit to really squirt it up inside. It's great for BV.
I do make sure I eat some live natural yogurt everyday, also as a preventative and to help get enough calcium. DG x
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Ju Ju - a gynaecologist said I would be better off using Gynest cream (now Estriol Cream), rather than Vagifem, as I could use it underneath as well and it would be more soothing. I did try Vagifem (as my GP had previously prescribed some, and the gynae said to use them up first), but I found it to be very drying and I actually felt more pain even after just a few days, so I gave up and went on to Gynest cream with the approval of my GP.
I now use the Estriol Cream twice a week and 'Yes' vaginal moisturiser on the other days. You can get some free samples of the moisturiser from the 'Yes' website and I actually get it on prescription now. I tried the Actigel (bought on the internet) as used by Dancinggirl and Sylk (prescribed by my GP), but I found 'Yes' to be the one that didn't irritate me.
I really hope this helps you, as this can be such a miserable condition, can't it!
Jenna x
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Hi
I've just been to see the practice nurse and I have actually got an urine infection at the moment. She's given me antibiotics and advised me to make an appointment with the GP to discuss a local oestrogen.
Just hoping to feel more comfortable again soon.
This Menopause business is really testing my inner strength at the moment. Feeling so fed up and down in the dumps :-(
P X
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Hi PMB,
Has the nurse actually sent off a sample to be tested in the lab to make sure you really do have an infection?
You can have white and red blood cells in your urine because of Vaginal Atrophy and not necessarily because of an actual infection. I am speaking from bitter experience here. Did she find anything else to indicate infection?
Jenna x
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Hi Jemma
She tested my sample in the surgery, not sure how but has told me it was positive. I will be seeing my GP on Monday or possibly sooner if symptoms don't improve.
I'm planning to discuss vaginal atrophy with her then.
P X
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Was it positive for a UTI? If so were you given antibiotics?
Constant UTI symptoms can be a sign of VA and we tend to be more prone to infection when menopausal. DG x
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Hi DG
Yes it was positive for UTI and starting a course of antibiotics.
I also made an appointment with the GP for Monday to discuss VA and hopefully get something for it.
P x
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I was treated few weeks ago for kidney/ UTI 2 lots of ABs. I've been feeling bit different down below and will be discussing it next week at my appointment. I never thought much of it until someone mentioned on here that infections and VA could be linked. Never been bothered before meno. After ABs I thought I had thrush and used canesten and nearly hit the roof with the sting. I've had thrush before before but never reacted like that with cream ouch!
X
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Hi PMB63
I can't remember where you are in meno or if this is the first HRT you've tried? if you are well towards menopause (or post) without HRT then you are likely to have a degree of VA as the others have said and I would treat this as soon as you can.
As said many of us need vaginal oestrogen as well as full systemic HRT. Utrogestan is very mild so shouldn't cause burning - but possibly if you have VA anything put up there can act as an irritant - notwithstanding any infection.
The tricky thing with using Utrogestan vaginally is keeping up the local oestrogen twice a week while on the utrogestan cycle.
Like Jenna I prefer using estriol on this area (still have a couple of packets of the Gynest pessaries left!) but when I am using utrogestan (like I am now) then I use Vagifem in the mornings - well ideally I put it in 12 hours after the utrogestan. I do forget sometimes though!
Hope your infection clears up soon...
Hurdity x
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I have had a very hard year with my nether regions.......the nurse can not test you for a UTI in surgery, yes she can use the strips they put in your p as a this might be a bug....but she has blindly given you an antibiotic without knowing which bug she is treating, and if it's Trimethapone most UTIs are now resistant to this antibiotic, and the three day course they dish out also is what has caused the inability of UTIs getting properly killed.
Dancinggirl how are you now you are on both local and HRT?
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I think trimethoprim is the standard they give out until sample is sent away. I first had co amoxclav for 7 days but that didn't touch it then they gave me trimethoprim for 7 days but told to check after 3 and mine was gone. It knocked the stuffing out of me at the same time.
X
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Hi Maryjane
I have been more comfortable since having both systemic HRT with Vagifem twice a week.
I can still get some burning and my theory is that my urethra has permanently collapsed or atrophied so that I may not be emptying my bladder properly every time and this may lead to mild infection or inflammation building up in the urethra. I am quite disciplined about making sure I empty my bladder properly these days - I will lean forward and backwards to help this. I try to make sure I drink enough, though I have to limit the amount I drink in the evenings or I will still get up several times at night. At least on systemic HRT I fall back to sleep ok having got up to pee.
When my burning was at it's worst, there wasn't any sign of infection, only blood in my urine and the urologist said it was likely to be interstitial cystitis (i don't get bladder pain, only a burning urethra) - a diagnosis which is very frustrating as there seems so little they can do about it! I've tried avoiding certain foods and drinks but the only things that do make it worse are very acidic drinks like fruit juices.
I have to say I dread to think what it will be like as I get older and have to stop the systemic HRT as the local stuff only helps intermittently. DG x
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Hello again
Day 2 on antibiotics but still feeling SOOOO uncomfortable down below. I've managed 7 days on the vaginal Utrogestan, but could not bear to use it tonight. I just hope that 7 days was long enough. I may have to try it orally next month, but worried about side effects. My stomach seems quite sensitive with medication possibly due to my hiatis hernia.
Do others experience side effects with oral Utrogestan?
P x