Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Sussex53 on September 04, 2020, 08:49:30 PM
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Hi - I’m on Elleste Solo 80ug abd have a mirena coil and after also using vagifem every other night for months I started to get light blood on wiping...then eventually light to dark blood at any time.. I had a scan and supposed had a very slight thickening of lining and then had an mri which showed no thickening just fibroids and all good. My gyno then suggested upping my vagifem so I’ve been using it every single night for 3 weeks and the bleeding has now stopped completely (after about two weeks)... my question is .. is it ok to continue to use vagifem every single day? Also my estradiol level in July this year was 242 but today it’s 147 and I know there’s less estrogen swimming around my body as my (already tiny) boobs have zero fullness (which makes me pretty unhappy tbh) .. I ‘feel’ ok though, I never really had hot flushes just a cloudy brain.. I was originally put on hrt last year following vaginal atrophy, painful sex, terrible burning, and spotting .. sorry not sure why I’m going into so much detail!.. Anyway since using the vagifem daily my burning is slightly less (very very slightly less but deffo still there) so I’m thinking if I continue using vagifem daily the burning might improve further plus it seems to be keeping the bleeding away. I haven’t braved having sex in about a year albeit I’ve also been ill with terrible gastritis and heartburn :( I just had new bloods dive and my current hormone levels are estradiol 147, FSH 11.9 (which is supposedly good?) LH 7.2 and testosterone 0.45 (supposedly a bit low?) and DHEA in feb was 2.4 (not had current result back yet)...
My gyno has given me two choices ..
1) up my patch to 100ug and switch to using intrarosa (DHEA) at 1 pessary every night for 12 weeks for my ‘atrophic vaginitis’ of which google hits were scary!
Or 2) stay on 80ug and use vagifem ‘as needed’ .. I’m not sure if this is a green flag for every day of my life though? Plus also to consider starting tostran gel one pump 3-4 times a week..I’m surprised he actually even suggested this as it was him that said a few weeks ago he’d like to get my estrogen levels higher before replacing testosterone (and this was before he even knew my latest results)...
Again I’m so sorry this is so lengthy but I’m quite honestly fed up with it all and could really do with some advice .. my gp seems to think my levels are ok, even at 147 estradiol, she also thinks vagifem daily is safe? She also thinks tostran gel isn't a good idea...and I’m not sure what to think about my gyno..THANK YOU so so much whoever responds to me xxxxx
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Hi Sussex53, Vagifem every day is safe so cross that off your list of concerns. The dosage is so low one everyday is equivalent to 3 to 4 oral HRT tablets per year. Cant help with your other queries but im sure someone will be along that can soon.
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Thank you Dierdre, that is reassuring to hear..thank you for replying xx
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I use Vagifem everyday plus i am on systemic HRT, my meno specialist said it is quite safe to use daily.
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I am wondering what the maximum treatment members are using. I have been using 2x vagifem twice a week and one application of ovestin for the last five years but my symptoms have just returned. Any help please?
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Hi Carol E....you may need to do another 2 week reload of Vagifem. When I get flare ups, back to every night. Currently I am using 2x on Tues., 2x on Thurs. and 1 on Sunday. I do get the occasional flare up and find reloading is the ticket. Good luck and keep us posted.
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I would do a two week reload and then up you weekly maintenance dose, i have never managed on just two a week.
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I use 5 vagifem a week and ovestin everynight outside and around bladder/urethra, this works for me.
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Thank you. I am on day 9 of reloading with two vagifem every night and still getting burning sensations. Would it be safe to use ovestin as well and if so to insert with applicator or smear on outside.
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Hello,
I am new to the website and read the articles which are extremely helpful.
Aged 61 , I have suffered from vaginal atrophy for a number of years. Vagifem was prescribed initially as I experienced recurrent bladder infections with good effects. I then started experiencing burning sensations after using Vagifem . At that times the vaginal atrophy was so bad that I used Vagifem X 2 every night for three months. I booked an appointment with one of the GP who was apparently the lead member of staff for gynecology who advised that my current dose of Vagifem was far to high. She advised me to look at your site and consider using an alternative such as Replens or Silk.
Having used both, I found myself having two bladder infections within six months needed to be treated with antibiotics. I found my surgery not to be extremely helpful and minimising my health conditions without proper advise. Can anyone advise me please ?
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Welcome froggy. You might have a sensitivity to the fillers in vagifem. I get a stinging sensation the next day after using Vagifem (I use 5 a week). You may want to consider the Estring. Unfortunately I am not a candidate for Estring but from what I understand, it does not have any fillers and several ladies much prefer it over Vagifem. I am also curious as to whether the manufacturer changed the fillers in vagifem as it seems I'm getting far more chalky discharge which is irritating to say the least!
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Thank you for your suggestions. I used Restring many years ago but my GP stopped it as it was felt unsafe to use it long term. With Vagifem , I find it extremely difficult to get the balance right . My GP recommended to start with a pessary daily for six weeks and then twice weekly. Sometimes twice weekly is enough but other times, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy return with a vengeance. The bladder infections make me so I'll.
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Avalon,thank you for your reply. When I was first diagnosed the atrophy was so bad it took systemic hrt and vagifem to reverse it. Now 10 years on at the age of 70 I don’t think they will prescribe systemic hrt because of the risks.Now 11 days into vagifem overload and still suffering.Worried I might have to live with it.
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Carol e. Have you checked for Lichen? Infection? As for systemic HRT, I was dx'ed with severe VA at 68. Unfortunately my GP wouldn't even consider HRT due to age and high BP. I have been doing ok with just Vagifem but do get the very occasional flare up. I would check into another possibility to rule out another possible source of burning.
Hope you get relief soon VA is so hard to get under control and to KEEP it under is the hard part.
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Thank you. I am seeing the gynaecologist in a few days so will ask her. After finishing my two weeks overloading I am using vagifem, internal ovestin and Replens in a three day ongoing cycle but still suffering. I have just watched a very informative video by Jane Lewis,author of Me and my menopausal vagina ,and Dr Sarah Bull. It is definitely worth watching as it outlines all available treatments and dispels myths.
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Hi
My gynaecologist advised two vagifem a night for two weeks plus ovestin three times a week, then 1 vagifem once a night for six weeks plus ovestin which she didn’t say to use internally or externally. I can’t get past her secretary for her to to clarify. On week three and still suffering. Feel like I’m overdosing. Any suggestions please.
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I should think the Ovestin was intended for external use? Best to clarify with the gynaecologist if you can though. I see from your post of 13 January that you are using Replens, which many women don't like. Could it be that? It is worth joining the Vaginal Atrophy support group on Facebook if you haven't already.
JP x
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I have joined the amazing support group and read Jane Lewis book. Am a bit worried to post a question in case it appears on my Facebook page At the age of 70 I am worried as to what else I will be allowed to take to alleviate my symptoms.I seem to be ok in the mornings ,the burning and soreness start mid afternoonish . Is this common please?
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Don't use the Replens, awful stuff and made me more sore. It can take several weeks to get improvement with VA if it has gone untreated for a long time so don't give up hope yet. I used to feel more sore as day went on, are you using the Ovestin on the outer bits?
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I have joined the amazing support group and read Jane Lewis book. Am a bit worried to post a question in case it appears on my Facebook page At the age of 70 I am worried as to what else I will be allowed to take to alleviate my symptoms.I seem to be ok in the mornings ,the burning and soreness start mid afternoonish . Is this common please?
It won't appear on your FB page as the group is private. Nothing I have posted has ever appeared on my FB!
JP x
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Joaniepat is right I too belong to the Facebook vaginal atrophy group. Everything you post is private only other ladies in the group can see it.
I use both Vagifem and Ovestin internally (on different nights) best thing I done so far. I feel 90% better on a good day 98%. The best I’ve been with two years of treatment. I use Ovestin internally for the first 6 months, started going bad again. Doctor put me on Vagifem, good for a couple off months. Then bad again started Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally. Had six flare ups last year.
So after reading someone post I check with my doctor and started with
Night 1- Vagifem internally, Ovestin externally
Night 2- Ovestin internally and externally
Night 3- Vagifem internally, Ovestin externally
Night 4- nothing
And repeat
I also love Yes VM two times a day morning and afternoon, and Olive and Bee at night just before using Ovestin externally.
This pattern is really working for me, not so much my husband who complains I’m too wet. I tell him I prefer to be too wet, then dry and in pain just to give sex, so put up with it. Lucky he loves me.
I hope you find what works for you, and it does take time, and I might of started my treatment at age 45 but I know treatment is for life :bighug:
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Thank you so much. I feel confident in asking these questions on the Facebook site now.My symptoms seem to be getting worse. Do you use Yes internally or externally? And olive and bee? I don’t use anything externally as my burning is all inside. I am seeing the gynaecologist in two weeks The next step for me according to her is Gabapentin which I need to google that.Does anyone have systemic hrt at the age of 70+ please.
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Pleased to hear you have joined the FB group, so much collective knowledge and experience there. I am 71 and use systemic oestrogen as well as local (have had hysterectomy). I restarted the systemic at 67 after a gap of several years.
JP x
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You could be using too many preparations!
I use 'ovestin' internally with KY Jelly externally if necessary. Replens can cause a worsening of symptoms: it may be the fillers or the casing.
I would up the 'vagifem'. It is such a small amount of active ingredient that some need 2 doses at once several times a week. 'ovestin' can be used internally or in your case, mayB better externally every night. In the day too if necessary. Sometimes I require an extra dose of 'ovestin' via the applicator via a tube, so easy to apply on the outer areas: so I use the applicator in the afternoon and again the same evening.
Plus 'nurofen' to ease the need to pee feelings: 2 capsules 3 times a day for 2-3 days. It relaxes the spincter. Do join in on the FaceBook group.
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I would never use Replens, tried it once and was not good. Too much Vagifem is also not good if you dont get on with the fillers so stick to at least one a day. I find vagifem is good for bladder, prolapse and the awful burning inside but did nothing for me on the soreness outside. Ovestin or similar estriol creams are perfect for external use you can also apply around the urethra. If you are so sore ask for Dermovate, this is a steroid cream that heals the skin very quickly enabling you to then use the estrogen creams without the awful burning it causes on raw skin. I would also ask for a check for Lichens sclerosus as i also have traces of this and the Dermavate has sorted this out.
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My pain is always was external, I only use Yes VM and Olive and Bee externally