Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Finlayfm on February 04, 2019, 01:15:28 PM
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Hello everyone
My first post here :)
I'm in my second year of the menopause and up until last September managed the symptoms pretty well. March last year started using Ovestin Cream twice weekly with no issues. After illness early September 2018 and a course of antibiotics I suffered weeks of irritation and burning, was then put on Vagifem. Swabs taken , all clear. Still itchy and burning and at times barely even able to wipe myself after going to the loo. Now 6 months on I'm thinking it's the Vagifem causing all the discomfort. There is no UTI, thrush or BV or any STI's according to swabs which were taken again two weeks ago.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts an experiences with Vagifem. I have also tried Yes VM without success. The irritation is always in the same place below vaginal opening, lower labia area.
And slight white-ish discharge.I have a GP appointment tomorrow when I think I will be referred to gynae. Maybe hrt is the answer.
Thanks for reading :)
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The white discharge is normal with Vagifem, I use it daily and have never had a problem with irritation, but everybody is different.
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I have to use systemic HRT as well as Vagifem for control of my VA, maybe you need the same.
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Hello everyone
My first post here :)
I'm in my second year of the menopause and up until last September managed the symptoms pretty well. March last year started using Ovestin Cream twice weekly with no issues. After illness early September 2018 and a course of antibiotics I suffered weeks of irritation and burning, was then put on Vagifem. Swabs taken , all clear. Still itchy and burning and at times barely even able to wipe myself after going to the loo. Now 6 months on I'm thinking it's the Vagifem causing all the discomfort. There is no UTI, thrush or BV or any STI's according to swabs which were taken again two weeks ago.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts an experiences with Vagifem. I have also tried Yes VM without success. The irritation is always in the same place below vaginal opening, lower labia area.
And slight white-ish discharge.I have a GP appointment tomorrow when I think I will be referred to gynae. Maybe hrt is the answer.
Thanks for reading :)
I had similar irritation with Estriol. It felt as though I had cystitis (but no problem with wiping after going to the loo). I don't have any problem with Vagifem.
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It could be the fillers or capsule rather than the product.
How were you on Ovestin and why did you stop? Maybe go back that?
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:welcomemm: by the way!
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I have to use systemic HRT as well as Vagifem for control of my VA, maybe you need the same.
Thank you for your feedback!
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It could be the fillers or capsule rather than the product.
How were you on Ovestin and why did you stop? Maybe go back that?
It was a new GP who changed my prescription saying they don't prescribe Ovestin anymore. I will ask the question tomorrow. Thanks!
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:welcomemm: by the way!
Thank you :)
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What absolute rubbish - maybe ring a local Pharmacist to ask for certain then you will be armed when speaking to your GP ;-)
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What absolute rubbish - maybe ring a local Pharmacist to ask for certain then you will be armed when speaking to your GP ;-)
Spoke to pharmacist a couple of weeks ago. She thought, BV and suggested probiotic suppository. But due to the existing discomfort I haven't gone down that route and the BV test came back negative. So Im none the wiser really and beginning to lose hope :-\
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Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice x
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Your Practice will have a Manager as well as Nurse Practitioners. Maybe seek advice that way?
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Thanks CLKD. Will see what happens tomorrow x
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Let us know [though I'm out of range, probably ::)]
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Let us know [though I'm out of range, probably ::)]
:)
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Hi, yes it can cause irritation. You could try the local GUM clinic, who maybe able to do tests and results on the day. Another cause of irritation is cytolitic vaginosis. Or overgrowth of lactobcilli, which can cause reactions. They should be able to diagnose.
Peppermintyx
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Welcome Finlayfm I have not had irritation with vagifem
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If you prefer Ovestin then ask to go back on it!!! Heavens above - there are so many problems with women not getting prescribed available medications and being told a load of rubbish by their docs. Insist!!! Ovestin is available and if you want it, you can have it!! Well the doc might have to justify it but it is estriol cream, so it's different from Vagifem which is estradiol - so that is a difference you can argue for. Also a cream product is different from a vaginal tablet (Vagifem) so another reason you might want cream. You might choose Ovestin over the generic estriol (which maybe cheaper) because Ovestin is more concentrated so you need much less of it per dose therefore it is less messy. If you say all this to the doc they should be able to note these reasons and prescribe it!
Having said that I use Vagifem (Orthgynest pessaries having been discontinued a couple of years ago or so) - and the day that I insert one I always get bladder irritation although not to vaginal area you decsribe.
Hurdity x
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If it's lower down, the Vagifem doesn't work - or it didn't for me. I struggled with it for a year then was given ovestin. My atrophy is outside and just inside. Three weeks with ovestin - applying with my finger rather than the applicator - and it's much better. My three times a week has now gone down to every three days with yes only needed on the second night.
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Thanks everyone! Really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'll keep your advice in mind tomorrow at my appointment.
Otter15, that's really interesting. Our issues sound very similar. Think I might ask gp tomorrow if I could go back to Ovestin. Thank you! x
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Hi ladies. This is interesting to me too as my VA isn't being controlled either.
I've been using estriol 00.1 for about 7 weeks now. I originally asked for ovestin but was told they only prescribe the estriol at my gynae clinic.
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After examination gynae said VA was worse outside than in. She based this on the fact in her words"you didn't hit the roof when I put the speculum in"
I asked for vagifem but she said once we get the systemic E level high enough you don't need it. I know from other ladies on here this isn't always the case.
And the last week or so I've felt as though I'm having to push the applicator through a second ring of muscle about 2 thirds in . There is resistance there and it realy hurts.
My urge and stress incontinence hasn't improved. I had thought estriol would help it but maybe it is making it worse.
I do put extra at the entrance as this seems to get very dry.
I wonder if I've been making a mistake by also rubbing it over the whole inner labia, clitoris and uretha too.maybe thats causing the issue
I've got gynae on Friday so I I think after reading this I'm going to push for vagifem due to the new internal pain but also change to ovestin although she's already told me they don't prescribe it so I don't know what to do about that. I agree that the estriol is very messy and I can't seem to get down to less than every other day without getting dry and sore.
Finlayfm have you had your gp appointment? Hope you got on o.k.
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How do you find the estriol birdy. ?
Have I been doing the wrong thing by rubbing around the urethra? When we all talk about putting it "outside" I assumed this meant the entire vulva.
The main thing bothering me is the new pain inserting. It's fine til about 2 thirds in. And it resists to push past that point although I do it but it hurts.
Best wishes birdyx
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Hi Tc. Don't want to worry you but do be careful with the applicator. I swell on the inside and a few weeks ago I actually cut myself trying to insert it. Ended up with antibiotic suppositories. I then got the ovestin and it was suggested I apply it using my finger. It's actually a lot easier for me than the applicator as I have the same problem as you with it being really painful. I've been measuring out the amount then rubbing it in inside and out. At the start I was so sore and swollen and my insides felt like crocodile skin but the swelling has now gone and it feels smoother. Both estradiol and ovestin worked for me but there's a lot less ovestin so maybe less messy? Maybe if you sort the bottom bit out, using the vagifem will be easier.
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Thanks birdy good to know you're seeing results.
Thanks otter15 sorry to hear that happened to you and that you've been in so much pain. It's thoroughly miserable isn't it. Glad that the treatments are working for you too.
It's only happened in the last week so it's happened whilst I've been on the treatment. No pain on insertion but it gets so far and seems to have to almost "pop through. I did actually think it had cut me but there was no blood.
The outside area definitely feels strange though. Distinct loss of any pleasurable sensation, just a general soreness and discomfort. It even feels uncomfortable when I'm sittingv these last few days.
I read about not just internal but external "shrinkage" of the tissues and that does scare me. But I'm only just over 5 months post meno so I hope it doesn't happen that quick.
As we all are i'm keen to do all I can not just to treat the currentv symptoms but to prevent it getting worse there's some heart breaking stories out there about it being left untreated.
Keep well ladies thanks for your replies xxx
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Mine was the same. Difficult to get through the start then fine higher up but that suggests it's the bottom bit that's having the problem. Also the outside felt strange but I think my bits were swollen. Constantly burning at night and soreness and itching during the day whether sitting or walking. I was using Vagifem every day at the time. Are you using the ovestin just inside too? I had to go back to three times a week last night as every three days didn't seem to be enough. It's early days I suppose. As CKLD says, she's had her regime for seven months. At least there's stuff to help. I keep wondering what they did during my gran's age!!
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Update from GP appointment.
After a long discussion with my doctor she has prescribed hrt, in pill form. I'm hoping that this will give me my life back. But only time will tell. I have another check up appointment with her in three weeks. Fingers crossed this works! x
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Hope you find it helps Finlay
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Good luck
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Hope you find it helps Finlay
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Thank you! x
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Good luck
Thank you :) x