Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Jasmine_2015 on April 04, 2019, 08:00:40 PM
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Okay I feel really silly asking this but is it possible to insert it into the wrong place?
I don't know why but after a few months of taking it I still worry I am doing it right because it does sometimes feel uncomfortable/a little painful and difficult to insert. It's like my vagina is very small! Sometimes I get a drip type feeling as if I'm leaking urine a little bit afterwards too. I'm sorry I feel really stupid and embarrassed for asking this so have been avoiding it but feel I just have to now as I'm still worrying about it :-\
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Stop worrying, nowt is silly, stupid or anything other. If you don't ask you don't find out. We still aren't familiar with our lady bits and some cultures more so. Do you use tampons, I couldn't as my vagina is too short ::). Apparently.
If you can insert a tampon means you are probably familiar enough with the feeling of something solid inside but not something with a little 'give'. It is normal for leakage as the vagina is often moist enough to dribble. If your vaginal area is already sore/sensitive then prodding it with something may cause you to be more aware of it.
I think that this is a pellet which adheres to the vaginal wall? So the idea being is that it leaks gently to plump up the walls. I use Ovestin for atrophy which is delivered with a syringe high up. Same idea, different technique.
Perhaps get a mirror and have a look at yourself down there. Then insert the product gently and relax.
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Thank you for your kind response. I actually have primary amenorrhoea (posting here because you are all so supportive- I hope that's okay) so haven't used a tampon before. I'm probably more unfamiliar with my lady parts than most. I've tried looking with a mirror and couldn't actually see much at all!
I think I must be inserting it into the right place as I thought the urethra was too small to insert anything in to but as it seems my vagina doesn't seem to open easily I've been worrying!!
That's helpful to know about the leakage and I probably am a bit more aware and sensitive down there
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If one is nervous the vagina will close up, like a clam :o it has a sense of self preservation ;).
Try not to insert too deeply initially as the vagina may object - put the ? pessary ? inside and relax. R U using nightly? It takes a while to find our way down there if we have ignored it ::). It took DH to teach me, all those years ago ........
Relax. Lay back. Take your time. Vaginas arrive in all sizes and shapes ::) I've never compared mine not even with my sister :-\ :o. It took me a while to find my way around ::) - usually in the bath, warm water and private .......
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Thank you both.
Birdy- it could well be possible. Again probably silly questions but how do I know and what could/should I do about that?
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Thank you so much all and for reassuring me its okay to ask these things!
It does sound like I have the symptoms of vaginal atrophy to be honest.
I actually have a trans vaginal scan next week so perhaps I can speak with the person doing that as presumably they will be quite knowledgeable.
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:medal: Birdy
Let us know Jasmine - how you get on?
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Great that you're having a vaginal scan Jasmine_2015 - and you should be able to ask anything you need to. What oestrogen are you taking? Do you have regular tests for your oestrogen levels. Also how old are you?
Just to reassure you, you could not mistake the vagina for any other orifice - as you say the urethra is too small and you wouldn't be able to insert anything there and the only other opening is the anus and you would know if it was that one ::).
I agree with Stellajane - also see you GP and in particular if necessary if the GP is not knowledgeable about VA and the consequences of your condition, then please ask for a referral to a specialist - although maybe as you are having a scan you are already under secondary care with gynaecologist?
CLKD - you're thinking of Vagifem - vaginal oestrogen (estradiol). Utrogestan is a progesterone caspule used orally or vaginally used for endometrial protection as part of HRT.
Hurdity x
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I will let you know how I get on thank you 😊
Hurdity, I'm taking oestrogel 4 pumps so far but my oestrogen levels are being very stubborn. I need to get it re tested next week but currently my levels are still below 92 pmol. I'm 29 :-\ I'm waiting to see dr Panay at the end of May so until then I'm sort of just trying to muddle through on my own, badgering my gp to test my oestrogen level and request the vaginal scan.
Thank you for your reassurance. You're a lovely lot on here ;)
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Whoops ......... :-X
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Hi Birdy,
I tried Everol Conti for a bit but didn't get on very well with that and this is the highest my oestrogen level has been so I'm guessing I didn't absorb it any better. I've heard some people use a smaller oestrogen only patch called ?estradot so maybe that's something I should ask dr Panay about when I see him.
I'd prefer not to take oral oestrogen as I seem quite sensitive to gastrointestinal side effects and already have IBS!
Is there another form that you think I should maybe consider or ask dr Panay about?
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Thanks Birdy, Thats helpful to know-I will look into that if I cant get my levels up!
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Sub-lingual lozenges are not regular HRT and only available privately at great expense. They are part of the "BHRT" treatment which is not standardised or regulated. Marion Gluck clinic is very expensive too and she is not a recommended gynae from the British Menopause Society. i would continue to pursue the regulated options for oestrogen because surely there will be one available at a dose that works for you on NHS? Great that you are with the Panay clinic as he is one of the tops in the field. Do let us know how you get on!
Hurdity x
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Oh okay thanks, I still feel quite new to all of this! I'm slowly learning. I was just thinking actually that from today I might start doing 2 pumps gel in the morning and 2 in the evening as perhaps the absorption will be better that way?
I will let you know how I get on. It will be a relief to finally see mr Panay!
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We're all learning ;)
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Just thought I'd update. Well I didn't have a transvaginal scan in the end because they wouldn't do it so I had an ultrasound and lining was thin- 1.8mm so no concern there. It did mean though I didn't really get to check out what they thought of my lady parts!! I did mention my concern but it was a young man doing it who although was very nice just said he would speak to the gynaecologist about my concerns.
I also had my oestrogen level tested this week and I feel incredibly disheartened because on 4 pumps of gel my levels are only 131. I also wonder if because my my oestrogen is too low, maybe the progesterone vaginally everyday is too much for me and that's what's exacerbating my low mood, fatigue and pelvic discomfort/bloating. I was wondering about trying one every other day but not sure if that's sensible? I read on something by Dr Louise Newson was an off license dose.
I feel incredibly low in mood and anxious about how I'm ever going to get my levels up (which I'm trying to do for my bones as I have severe osteoporosis).
Oh well, more questions for Mr Panay. I'll update once I've seen him at the end of May. I hope you are all okay
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Hi there Jasmine - do you have the units of measurement of the oestrogen - was it pmol/l - the most usual units in UK, or pg/ml - sometimes private consultants use this instead? If the former then that is low if accurate, if you need levels to be higher due to osteoporosis. If you're not absorbing from the gel then Estradot patches might give you a different result. I presume your skin is cleaned of oil and any body moisturising products including shower cream etc where you apply the gel?
At least your womb lining is thin which does suggest either that the prog is doing its job and/or confirming that your oestrogen is quite low despite using 4 pumps?
I do hope you have some answers when you eventually get to see Nick Panay at the clinic and try not to worry in the meantime.
:bighug:
Hurdity x
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Thanks so much Hurdity.
Yes it was pmo unfortunately!
I was also thinking about that estradot patch so will see what Mr Panay says. My list of things to mention is getting rather long!!
Just out of interest, do you think I'm the mean time before I see him I could try Utrogestan every other day?
Jas x
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Hi Jasmine - it's up to you what you decide to try without doc approval. However if you have an appointment in late May you can't do yourself any harm by trialling a different regime (alternate day utrogestan - vaginally?) for 6 weeks. The worst that could happen in that time would be breakthrough bleeding. Could be good to see how you feel on it and then see if this can be approved if necessary under the supervision of the meno clinic with regular scans etc? let us know what you decide and how you feel.
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity, my thoughts exactly and I didn't take it last night so here goes! x