Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Ezzie2020 on January 22, 2021, 04:58:12 PM
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Hi
I saw a gynaecologist for a skin issue a couple of years ago and whilst she examined me she said I had VA even though I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms or pain. She said I would benefit using vagifem long term because my tissues were so poor and the whole area needed to be re-estrogenised. Now 2 years later I’m experiencing awful painful dryness hitting peri menopause. It feels almost like cystitis. I’m already on the vagifem twice a week but it’s not helping. Should I increase the dose? I’ve read about vaginal moisturisers, do they help? I’ve got other health issues but this agony is the final straw.
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Yes to both questions. As you are now so dry the Vagifem may not be dissolving properly, so use a vaginal moisturiser and perhaps redo the loading dose for 2 or 3 weeks. Then you could drop to every other night and see if that is enough. You can also dip the applicator in Sylk before you insert it.
There are many moisturisers to choose from, so that is a case of trial and error. The Yes brand is reputable.
Another possibility, if an increase in Vagifem doesn't help, is to switch to Ovestin which is a cream.
JP x
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Hi Ezzie2020,
I’m a new member and I joined because I have been suffering terribly since October with what I thought was an infection in the urinary tract. I’ve been prescribed three different types of antibiotics and then in December my GP prescribed Vagifem. The dryness sensation has improved enormously but I was still suffering with the awful feeling of needing to urinate constantly. It’s been a miserable few months. My GP prescribed Ovestin cream to use externally in the urethra area (in addition to the Vagifem) and after the first week of daily application, I feel so so much better. I’m beginning to feel normal again. 🥴. I’m sleeping better and feel so much more lifted. There certainly are ways to deal with these awful menopause issues.
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It is miserable.
Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads.
Use Vagifem every night for 2-3 weeks, if necessary occasionally insert two 'capsules'. As well as the other ideas, it's a bit Trial and Error. To ease that 'need to pee' feeling, take pain relief. I swallow 'nurofen', 2 three times a day for 3 days. Stops the spincter feeling agitated and irritated.
Once you find a regime, stick to it.
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Hello JEYRE, welcome to the Forum! I'm pleased to hear Vagifem and Ovestin have worked so well for you, a "good news" story is always cheering.
I should have mentioned to the OP that Ovestin for the outer areas is always a good addition to the armoury against VA, so thanks for mentioning it.
JP x
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I reacted very badly to Estriol for the outer areas. Is Ovestin different in some way? I know Estriol 0.01 is very weak! 😱
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Thank you so much Joaniepat. I’m so pleased I have found this forum as it really helps to read the advice and comments on here.
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I reacted very badly to Estriol for the outer areas. Is Ovestin different in some way? I know Estriol 0.01 is very weak! 😱
Ovestin has a higher concentration of estriol, 0.1%. Also the base cream has different ingredients.
JP x
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Worth a try? Less likely to irritate urethra?
x
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It's all trial and error, unfortunately. However, either can be mixed with a bit of moisturiser at first, which can help while one gets used to the product. I did that with estriol cream and can use it neat now.
JP x
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Thanks for all the replies.
God I’m in agony right now! Can’t concentrate properly. Have got a phone appt with my gp so am going to ask for the Ovestin cream to try. Hopefully will ease that horrible sensation. Have ordered some moisturiser to try too.
I’ve used forums for other health stuff. It really helps getting the support and advice from people experiencing the same as you. How long before that horrible dryness sensation goes?
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Days, weeks, months .......... the idea is to load the vaginal area with appropriate treatment so that the very thin, sore tissue soaks up and makes more comfortable. 4 me it took about 3-4 weeks 2 feel benefit.
Do you have KY Jelly or similar. Even a small amount of 'savlon' on the outer area can ease the soreness.
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I found for myself two times a week isn’t enough. I’m currently using both Vagifem and Ovestin internally, my current routine that really helping me after 20 months off just Ovestin 9 months, then just Vagifem 11 months, is to use both. I’ve been using both for about 3 months. If you got Facebook there’s a private group for Vaginal Atrophy run by Jane Lewis. She also written a book called- Me and My Menopausal Vagina, which is a great read.
MY CURRENT ROUTINE
Night one - Vagifem internally, Ovestin externally
Night two- Ovestin internally and externally
Night three- Vagifem internally, Ovestin externally
Night four- rest
Every day I use Yes VM morning and afternoon, Olive and Bee at night just before using Ovestin externally. It’s taking along time to get here but I would say I feel 90% plus better. For me it’s always been the external pain that bothers me. I do have the old occasion where I have a flare up and do a two week loading on Vagifem.
It also helps to have a great doctor, she lets me use what I want when I want, and can easily get scripts from her. Best of luck
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Thanks for the advice. Will have a look on Facebook. I need to get in to some kind of a routine. It all seems to have happened really suddenly so what with everything else I’ve got going on health wise it’s kind of plunged me into a major depression. Another condition to manage.... great! Does systemic HRT help with dryness or is it just the topical treatments that are best? I don’t really want to go down the HRT route. Just wondered if it added any benefit
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Morning. Some ladies find that HRT helps with VA as well as localised treatments.
Why don't you fancy HRT? Don't dismiss it as VA can take a while to get under control. Also, I find that swallowing Nurofen 2 tablets 3 times a day for 3 days eases the need to pee sensations.
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Just because I’ve got severe tinnitus and am wary of taking anything that will make it worse. I’ve read on here that people have got it after starting HRT so it’s put me off. I had been considering it. I’m not gonna completely dismiss it. I’ll see how I get on with the topical stuff first.
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We have a thread on tinnitus here somewhere ::)
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Hi
Just wanted to say it's definitely worth trying Ovestin. I used the 0.01% Estriol a while back and it made things worse - lots of irritation and inflammation.
On being prescribed Ovestin recently I was wary, but it has been much better. You use a much smaller amount. I had some tolerable burning the first few times I used it but overall it has improved my comfort after 3 months. I was impatient for progress at the start but it seemed to be one step forwards and one step back for a couple of months. Only by the beginning of the third month did I notice more consistent good days.
I use it internally and externally every other night, alternating with YES VM.
Good luck. :)
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Hi TnToast, pleased to see you are getting on well with Ovestin and that things are improving.
I used not to be able to use Ovestin externally, but was fine with the 0.01% estriol. Recently I tried Ovestin internally on non-Vagifem nights and that went well, so last night I tried it externally for the first time in a long time. That was fine too. I feel oddly pleased with myself ;D ;D.
Never ceases to amaze me how different we all are, and how much perseverance this takes.
Best wishes,
JP x
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So after using vagifem for a week now I’m feeling worse. Everywhere hurts. It feels awful going for a wee and it’s sore even to just wipe myself. I was 100% fine no symptoms at all last year on twice a week vagifem. I got taken into hospital suddenly in December and missed a dose. I noticed a niggle a week later and thought I was thrush. It settled and I forgot all about it until a couple of weeks ago this agony started. Would missing a dose of vagifem have triggered this or is that just coincidence? I just don’t understand why it’s so severe. It hurts so much I can’t concentrate and just so depressed
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Maybe you should be examined, and also swabbed for thrush.
JP x
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I saw my gp last week. She thought it better to have a look rather than a phone call. She said it wasn’t thrush but it all looked a bit red. I just a bit confused about it all. I thought the vagifem was improving the tissues. Is this overall soreness usual? Do you think the missed dose has triggered this?
Thanks
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Yes, it is usual. Two Vagifem a week isn't much, so I don't think missing one dose will have made that much difference. What else are you using, by way of moisturiser or emollient? You need something on the vulva.
JP x
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I’ve been using the Yes VM every day for about a week now and daily vagifem. There’s just no relief at all
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Maybe an use emollient or barrier on the vulva rather than Yes VM for a while. Epaderm ointment is popular. You could still coat the Vagifem stick in VM if it makes it easier to insert.
JP x
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Also, don't put the 'vagifem' in too far initially, lubricate from the outside in.
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Thanks will try that
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Seabuckthorn oil tablets have helped me
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How do you apply them?
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How do you apply them?
Swallow them oral tablet
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https://www.pharmanord.co.uk/news/research-news/new-research-omega-7-sea-buckthorn
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Wow, interesting! Is this the brand that helps you?
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Yes and helps with dry eyes skin and hair
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Do you know if this is the purest form? Am tempted to give it a go, but at nearly £40 a pack of 150, but 4 a day recommended for first two months, it needs to be tip-top quality? One pack, just over a month's supply? Thanks!
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Healthspan sell it.cheaper
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Great tip. Thanks. On order. 🤞
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After years of vagifem and terrible dryness/pain/misery, have now switched to daily Ovestin and the difference is amazing. The vagifem did not melt properly and so did not moisturise properly either - just left a sticky goo. Now I use Ovestin at the maximum cream I can fit into the applicator and use at bedtime. I apply as high up and as close to the cervix as as possible and the cream slowly absorbs and moves down which helps both inside and out. I’m also on Femonston Conti at max dose but that only gives 1mg of oestrogen which on its own is not enough, but it’s the only HRT preparation I can tolerate. I also bathe every other night and add Bath oil into my bath - so that the area gets a good moisturise in water & I now make my own Bath oil with plain oil to which I add calming essential oils like lavender.
It’s taken me years of trial and error, and a lot of pain, to get to this level of comfort and I still get flare ups so I hope this helps others. I also posted recently on which shower/both products work well - makes a huge difference as even a little bit of the wrong shower gel can set me off again with dryness and then thrush. The other thing which also affects it is laundry detergent. I can only use non bio Bold capsules - Ariel and anything Bio is the worst of all.
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Nice post Nairn! So good to hear you have got on top of things :)
JP x
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Evening i was using vagifem for about 4 years and it all worked well for the first 3 years after which all the symptoms returned with a vengeance and even 2 week loading and using evefy other night just wasnt working any longer. I had a conversation with the practice nurse who decided a change to 0.01 estriol cream might be better and she was right. Its quite messy and you have to use quite a lot but it suits me more than vagifem now. (Not sure why they didnt prescribe ovestin but hey ho)