Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: ancient runner on January 23, 2017, 11:00:50 AM

Title: Today's the day...
Post by: ancient runner on January 23, 2017, 11:00:50 AM
I've done my 2 weeks vagifem reloading and am much better but bladder's still not perfect.
Decision time.
In front of me I've got my packet of Femoston, and an Estring.
I am dithering, and thinking about all the good advice you all gave me last week.

I am 55
VA is the major problem
Estring good but I do get quite a few blips - this one's been going on since before Christmas
GP not keen for me to use Femoston plus a local oestrogen product
Possibly about to start working in an office regularly (and sit on their uncomfortable chairs a day a week)

How long does systemic HRT take to have an effect, please?

*eyes up hormone options once more and carries on working on laptop*
Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: CLKD on January 23, 2017, 11:45:12 AM
 ::) ....... because this isn't Life threatening you have choices ........ Have you used Femoston previously?  Do you have Estring inserted now or will this be a new 'one'?
Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: Dancinggirl on January 23, 2017, 12:17:38 PM
ancient runner - it's worth giving the Femoston a try.  You might want to use the Estring for the first month but I'd use Vagifem a couple of times a week ongoing.  When I started back on systemic HRT, after a one year break, it was really strange how all my ‘lady bits' tingled as they came back to life!!!
I did message you about the advice in the NICE guidelines - your GP is quite wrong about using the two things together.
You should see a general improvement in how you feel within a couple of weeks or at least 2 months - bladder improvement may take a bit longer.   You will hopefully be pleasently surprised how good you do feel and wish you'd stated sooner.
In my experience, the urogenital problems never actually go away but the systemic should give that little bit extra for the bladder and help things settle more.  You should sleep better as well and energy levels should improve. Think of the benefits for your heart and bones!!! So, you've got everything to gain and nothing to loose.  Go for it girl. Good luck and keep us posted.  DG xxx
Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: ancient runner on January 23, 2017, 12:45:35 PM
I got your message as an email DG and have only today worked out how to reply (though I did say thank you on my last thread). I am so grateful for all the help... and I think you're probably right. And nice to have a choice - so many of us don't.

Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: Tinkerbell on January 23, 2017, 05:43:05 PM
My GP, sadly has now left, said some women need both and it was quite safe to do so.
I have only really got control of VA and  I still get blips, since taking systemic HRT and Vagifem.
Do give it a try.
Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: Maryjane on January 23, 2017, 06:09:01 PM
Slap it on👻
Title: Re: Today's the day...
Post by: Hurdity on January 24, 2017, 05:46:02 PM
Hi ancient runner

I agree with the others - you have nothing to lose - the systemic HRT will boost your basal oestrogen levels and the local oestrogen will give that additional support to your vaginal/bladder areas where you need it most.

Do I gather you have an Estring as well as Vagifem? Once you start systemic HRT and are settled on this then you are unlikely to need both of these I expect.

Also to ask which type of Femoston? Is it the conti variety or the cyclical - to induce a bleed? If the former, you might want to start the latter ( unless the thought of bleeding is total anathema) just to see if you are OK with the oestrogen part separate from the progestogen.

All vaginal problems take a while to sort out - but if you are suffering flushes and sweats then systemic HRT should sort these out within days or at the most a couple of weeks.

Let us know how you get on :)

Hurdity x