Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Worrypot60 on July 22, 2019, 06:59:10 PM
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Hi ladies this could take a while but I am 60 years old,had hysterectomy 15 years ago with my oviries in tact,and repair for prolapse 2 yr later.all fine till last 2 years when got V A. Long story short experienced dryness low full feeling as though needed wee ,back ache,given vagifem which worked but lately as I have been having more hot sweats my estrogen levels have dropped and start to experience feeling fullness and tummy cramps,had examination by gynaecology a c.t. scan poo test ovarian blood test all fine,what I want to know is why all these symptoms of needing wee and tummy cramps and headaches happen when I up my vagifem, but after 4 weeks now of 2to3 a week see improvement but how long do you have to keep up using vagifem, my Dr said use rest of life,dose anyone else experience any of these symptoms if they stop using vagifem, worry pot :'(
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Hi ladies this could take a while but I am 60 years old,had hysterectomy 15 years ago with my oviries in tact,and repair for prolapse 2 yr later.all fine till last 2 years when got V A. Long story short experienced dryness low full feeling as though needed wee ,back ache,given vagifem which worked but lately as I have been having more hot sweats my estrogen levels have dropped and start to experience feeling fullness and tummy cramps,had examination by gynaecology a c.t. scan poo test ovarian blood test all fine,what I want to know is why all these symptoms of needing wee and tummy cramps and headaches happen when I up my vagifem, but after 4 weeks now of 2to3 a week see improvement but how long do you have to keep up using vagifem, my Dr said use rest of life,dose anyone else experience any of these symptoms if they stop using vagifem, worry pot :'(
Yes the doctor is correct. You do need to continue with the Vagifem. I se it most days but may be able to reduce it later once the HRT has established itself. I get burning/ irritation inside and referred discomfort/ aching in my groin/ left hip. That started 1 year ago but I already had repeated UTI'S before that.
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Worrypot60 - oestrogen deficiency carries on doing its worst as we age. The bladder has oestrogen receptors and as our oestrogen levels drop the bladder function deteriorates and brings UTI type symptoms, loss of bladder control and general discomfort; oestrogen helps to keep the bladder working well. However Vagifem is a very low dose so will only do so much. Yes, you will need to use Vagifem for the rest of your life but as you have had a hysterectomy and you are only 60, then I would suggest some systemic oestrogen alongside the Vagifem might get things more under control. Unless you have a medical condition that prevents your using systemic oestrogen, I would ask your doctor to have either Oestrogel or oestrogen patches (Estradot are the best) to see if it improves things.
Oestrogen alone brings very few risks, if any, so can in theory be used long term provided you don't develop health problems that prevent this. It tends to be the combined HRT with progesterone that carries some small risks past the age of 60.
Do use vaginal moisturisers as well e.g. The YES products or SYLK. I also find Multi Gyn Actigel can sooth and treat burning and discomfort if I'm itching or sore. You can get all these things online. DG x
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Good advice given. At least your GP seems to be up2date ! not many are.
Read the vaginal atrophy and bladder threads here. We also have a funny room for light relief ;-)
:welcomemm: I use 'ovestin' regularly. 4 me it was like razor blades up there :o