Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lizzie06 on January 21, 2018, 03:12:36 PM
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Sorry this may be a bit long but I'm after some advice. About a year ago I suffered a very bad bout of cystitis. Since then I have had problems with my bladder, stinging urethra, urgency to pee, only peeing a small amount etc. My GP suggested I could be suffering from VA and prescribed vagifem which unfortunately I did not get on with, seeming to make my symptoms worse. My GP also put me on evorel conti to help with my hot flushes. I stopped using vagifem and went onto estriol cream but again this seemed to make my symptoms worse. I have now been given estring to try to help with my bladder problems. I have read so much about the symptoms of VA that I'm not sure that I actually have VA, as I don't have any discomfort around the vulva, but just have the stinging urethra which only occurs at night and lasts for about 3-4 hours. I am 58, exercise regularly, eat fairly healthily, drink very little alcohol. I haven't completely dismissed VA and currently I am using a small amount of estriol externally in the mornings, and a lubricant during intercourse. My GP has suggested if the estring doesn't help then she would refer me to a bladder specialist. Has anyone else had similar problems, should a give the estring ago. Any advice is welcome. TIA
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Have you read the various threads on vaginal atrophy? The Vagifem or the other product has to be used every night for 2 weeks and if necessary continually; or as necessary. How is your liquid intake generally?
There are other products, i.e. Sylk, that some ladies find useful, on the outer lips.
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Thanks for the reply CLKD. I used the vagifem and the estriol nightly for the first 2 weeks and then twice weekly. It was at this stage that my stinging urethra worsened.
I keep well hydrated drinking at least 3-4 liters of water daily. I have a coffee first thing in the morning and another at midday.
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Hi Lizzie check out the bladder friendly diet,I darent touch any kind of coffee or fizzy drinks I only have the odd decaf tea now but mainly drink water.
I had this burning to the point of stinging urethra for around a year and by following a very strict anti acid diet I've managed to get it under control now. Certain foods/drinks reallly irritate the bladder/urethra and it's a long process to find the trigger foods but it's the best way to go rather than having invasive tests as far as I was concerned.Im pretty good now and can eat out without having a panic attack at the thought of eating the wrong thing and starting the pain up again so I've obviously ,managed to de sensitise it again.id advise keep up treating as if you do have VA and research bladder friendly foods/drinks.theres tons of information out there and there also alternative things you can try like marshmallow route capsules ,apple cider vinegar capsules etc but first I'd quit the coffee and have water with a bit of fresh lemon it neutralises the acid and when you pee you should notice a difference in your urethra.its worth a try before you go down the urologist route.good luck xx
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Hi Lizzie check out the bladder friendly diet,I darent touch any kind of coffee or fizzy drinks I only have the odd decaf tea now but mainly drink water.
I had this burning to the point of stinging urethra for around a year and by following a very strict anti acid diet I've managed to get it under control now. Certain foods/drinks reallly irritate the bladder/urethra and it's a long process to find the trigger foods but it's the best way to go rather than having invasive tests as far as I was concerned.Im pretty good now and can eat out without having a panic attack at the thought of eating the wrong thing and starting the pain up again so I've obviously ,managed to de sensitise it again.id advise keep up treating as if you do have VA and research bladder friendly foods/drinks.theres tons of information out there and there also alternative things you can try like marshmallow route capsules ,apple cider vinegar capsules etc but first I'd quit the coffee and have water with a bit of fresh lemon it neutralises the acid and when you pee you should notice a difference in your urethra.its worth a try before you go down the urologist route.good luck xx
Thanks Daisydot for reply and info. I will be checking out the bladder friendly diet as like you I'm not keen on going down the invasion test route. I'm not a fizzy drink drinker so no problem there and I will look to cutting out the coffee. One thing I don't understand is the stinging only occurs at night!!
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If that's the case Lizzie then I would say it's as a result of something your eating or drinking,I can't touch tomatoes now which I love or tomato sauce of any kind even in pasta no processed foods at all either.do your research it will shock and surprise you,everything I'd eaten for years with no problem I thought,seemed to attack me.
It's a long slog and all trial and error you'll need to keep a food diary so you don't stray,why don't you try the glass of cool water with lemon in it tonight and see if it helps it'll reduce the acidity when you pee.good luck xx
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Shower don't bath. Some ladies don't apply any products/soaps down there at all.
Also: Granma swore by bicarb of soda, into warm bath water and soak.
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I can't drink anything acidic eg any fruit juice, caffeine, alcohol. No tight trousers. If I get hot and sweaty my urethra burns.
Half a teaspoon of bicarbonate in water twice a day helps neutralise acid and burning.
DG x
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Thank you all for the replies. I'm willing to give anything a go to get relief from the stinging. I have stopped using soap and now use a vaginal wash to sort out any ph balance problems down there. I will start a food diary and keep a note of anything else that I might be doing that's irritating my urethra.
Thanks again all x
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I had the same thing which was sorted by a procedure that is like the Mona Lisa Touch laser but using an Erbium laser instead (less intense), which rejuvenates the tissues and reverses the atrophy in the vaginal and urinary lining. It seems to have worked, at least for the moment. Estriol cream also helped. It's all because of low estrogen in the tissues.
Good luck, it's miserable.
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Dear Lizz06
I'm completely understanding how you feel I'm going through this too.
I've just posted for some advice as well.
It's made me feel completely ill with all the antibiotics.
I've been using Vagifem for around 2 weeks so I will continue but sometimes feel I need another passery in stead of the one the burning is so bad😥.
I hope you feel better soon x
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Is that drinking or bathing the bicarb.?
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CKLD - actually drink the bicarb in water but bathing with it is also good. DG x
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Dear Lizz06
I'm completely understanding how you feel I'm going through this too.
I've just posted for some advice as well.
It's made me feel completely ill with all the antibiotics.
I've been using Vagifem for around 2 weeks so I will continue but sometimes feel I need another passery in stead of the one the burning is so bad😥.
I hope you feel better soon x
Thanks roseclimber. I didn't get on with vagifem or estriol as both seemed to make the burning worse. I have however been pretty much burn free over the last few days. The only things I can put this down to is that I now add lemon/lime juice to my drinking water to reduce the acidity in my urine, as suggested by Daisydot, and I am now using estring ring for delivery of estrogen into the vagina to help with VA. Fingers crossed I have found a solution for me. It is very much trial and error to find what works for you.
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Well done Lizzie now focus on your bladder friendly foods/drink and you can only improve now ,read up on ph balances and you'll see you want to keep balance around 7-7.5 you can buy ph testing strips to check occasionally,even check your bottled water ph it's written in small print usually,try buy ph under 8,brand is no guarantee of correct ph.tap water is ph 8 so try and filter your drinking water or buy bottled.it does work and keep up the lemon juice so pleased for you it's horrible isn't it.xx
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Morning lovelies,
I've been using vegafem for two weeks and hesitate to go down now to using for only 2 nights because last night hardly no sleep with the burning virgina lips / dry feeling inside.
I'm 61 and was reading about this ring which is inserted internally I think every three months.
( forgotten it's Name?)
Can I use this at 61 does anyone know?
Doctor wants me to have camera inside my bladder now !
So so fed up😞
Thanks for your wisdom x
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Hi roseclimber, you are thinking of the Estring. No reason why you can't use it at 61. The dose is roughly equivalent to twice a week of the old strength Vagifem of 25 mcg. I want to try it too, as too many Vagifem irritate me. I think it is the fillers. Let us know how you get on.
JP x
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Morning roseclimber before you go down the invasive route ask your gp for estriol cream to use on outer vaginal area along with the vagifem inside and if your not feeling any better after the two week dose don't cut the vagifem down to two nightly use it nightly till you feel an improvement.you will have to use these things for life now as soon as you stop the va gets bad again.there are other lubricants you can try on the outer lips like organic raw pressed coconut it's very soothing and antibacterial or one of the vaginal lubricants it's all trial and error but these things will also help with any urinarey issues.good luck xx
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roseclimber - The Estring is an option for you but the Vagifem needs to be used regularly - so at least 2-3 times a week ongoing. There is no reason why you can't use it nightly for another 2-3 weeks, if you feel you need to, before dropping down to 2-3 times and week. Many women do a 2 week daily reload once or twice a year to give things a boost.
The other thing that most of us find essential is vaginal moisturiser. SYLK or the YES products ( buy online) are the best. These moisturisers should not be used at the same time as Vagifem(might effect absorbent) but used once or twice a day at other times can really help to sooth things and make you feel more comfortable. These moisturisers and the Vagifem, used regularly, will help to restore the flora balance and keep things generally healthier. Most of us will be using these strategies for the rest of our lives. DG x
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Hi ladies
Thanks so much for the advice.
I will definitely let you know how I get on next week with doctors who are wanting me to have bladder investigation 😞 and kidney scan.
As always small amount of microscopic blood seen but no bacteria in urine samples sent to Hospital lab.
At the moment I just feel so desperate to feel well again I will try anything,!
I lost my husband of 30 years only 18 months ago, a friend insists it's also emotional stuff that doesn't help me at the moment with my symptoms.
Thanks again lovely, I will keep you posted
X
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Hi roseclimber I'm the same age as you and suffered terribly for years until by trial and error I've made a great recovery in spite of the useless help from gps,one told me I'd be back in a week to thank her for saving my life as I probably had bladder cancer it so upset me at the time as we are at our lowest when we are scared.i told her to get stuffed it's my body and I knew it wasn't a bladder problem as I've had surgery a few times for bladder and despite asking her for gynie appointment she refused point blank .i wasn't even getting to speak to urologist twice I made the appointmemts and twice they said no cystoscope and scan first then speak to urologist so I told them where to go as well.It was VA that caused the bleeding and urinary symptoms and not cancer,I had a private ultrasound done kidneys fine no stones and bladder fine no residue of urine I then had a ct scan done in Spain and everything fine again.I refuse invasive as they are just introducing more bacteria into my body creating more problems experience has taught me this I'm afraid.its my choice at the end of the day and I was right to go down the route I did.thank goodness for this forum and dr currie too.go with your instincts.good luck xx
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Ps roseclimber so sorry for your loss and yes stress plays a huge part in all this.take care xx
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There are always blood traces in my urine samples - very common once meno hits. Had the usual investigations by urologist who just said to keep using the Vagifem. DG x
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Morning lovelies,
I've been using vegafem for two weeks and hesitate to go down now to using for only 2 nights because last night hardly no sleep with the burning virgina lips / dry feeling inside.
I'm 61 and was reading about this ring which is inserted internally I think every three months.
( forgotten it's Name?)
Can I use this at 61 does anyone know?
Doctor wants me to have camera inside my bladder now !
So so fed up😞
Thanks for your wisdom x
Hi roseclimber, I'm 59 next month and have just started using the vaginal ring Estring. I found out about the Estring from trolling the internet for alternatives to vagifem and estriol. Accordingly to the information sheet, it will take 2-3 weeks for the estrogen in the ring to start helping with bladder problems as a result of VA. I now also add lime/lemon juice to my drinking water to help with the acidity of my urine and I have to say my burning urethra is very much improved. I can only put this down to the lime/lemon juice as I'm still only in my first week of using the Estring. As suggested to me it may be something you are eating/drinking making your urine very acidic. Can I suggest you give the lemon juice a try, it's worked for me. Best of luck x