Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Postmeno3 on May 28, 2021, 11:12:05 AM
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Hi. Just wondering what regimes people find most beneficial, especially postmenopausally, with this condition? Have folks found systemic oestrogen the best solution? Is there a place for testosterone, too? Thanks!
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We have threads on 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' on the Forum, worth a read. Make notes ;)
I have found that 'ovestin' used regularly eases symptoms. If the bladder feels irritated I take 2 x Nurofen 3 times a day for 3 days or until the nipping goes away.
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Hi postmeno3....I was dx'ed with GSM and have been on Vagifem going on 2 years or so along with estrogen cream for vulva area. It has helped immensly though it has taken all of 2 years to get 80% comfortable.
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Thanks. Yeah, there's no quick fix I guess. It's been a long time silently coming so will take a long time to improve. I don't tolerate oestrogen cream on the external area, but I have been prescribed an emollient. At the moment, this seems to be aggravating the urethra, but it's early days.
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Using 'ovestin' improved symptoms within 3 weeks 4 me. Have you looked at the 'yes' and 'sylc' websites?
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Hi postmeno3,
My GSM was left untreated for a very long time so it was a difficult and lengthy process getting to a stage where I’m comfortable. I’m unable to tolerate Oestrogen creams and also the emollients. I’m hoping they eventually produce something containing Oestrogen that Im able to use but in the meantime I’m using Yes VM externally, vagifem daily, systemic HRT and Testosterone. I find testosterone definitely makes a difference to my vaginal/ vulval health and need the whole regime in order to stay reasonably comfortable although I do still get flares.
I was unable to tolerate vagifem until my tissues had improved using all the above along with Estring (gives good results) which took quite some time
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Robin, thanks. Yes, I've had an Estring for some time and now on a very low dose systemic patch (half of Evoril 25) plus vagifem plus oil-based YES and emollients for the bath/shower and to smooth on. Not many people refer to emollients on here at all and I feel I may have the same issue as you with them, though early days. Onwards!
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Hi, I was diagnosed with this last year. Initially I was put on Vagifem, then later added Ovestin, plus every moisturiser you can think of! As it was still not enough, the GP suggested systemic Hrt which I gratefully took. Everything slowly improved till I didn't feel like I had a problem.
So I foolishly stopped systemic hrt whilst keeping up with the Vagifem, Ovestin and moisturisers. Two months later and I'm in VA hell so have had to go back on maximum dose of hrt, so 4 pumps of gel. I'm really hoping I can recover this time around.
Most women seem to do fine on the locally-based HRT, though.
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Yes, the specialist I saw for the first time seemed to think systemic hrt was the additional thing I needed to improve what was clearly a serious deficiency. I guess the condition may be on a sort of range according to individual histories. I think systemic may act more thoroughly for those who need it as it's treating from the inside out, rather than slathering stuff on from the outside in? Hope you stabilise well again soon.
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Oh thank you! It is a horrible condition as so many of us know.
I do agree with the idea that it treats it from the inside out. It amazes me that anyone manages on twice-weekly Vagifem.
Good luck with getting it sorted! I've tried the Evorel and think it's great for VA as you get a constant uninterrupted supply.
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:thankyou: for your advice.
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Hey CLKD!!! 😊
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How soon does this happen? I know ir's a common issue but do you think every woman gets it?
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Nope. Not every meno symptom will affect every woman. I had hot flushes briefly years ago. They stopped. VA happened well into menopause recognised by my GP. A lack of oestrogen levels can cause dryness, inside and out.
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Thanks CLDK. I understand this is a problematic symptom. I don't this symptom and I hope I won't have it. I don't really have hot flushes but I have chilling sensations instead. They don't happen 24/7 but when I get them it's a real pain. I still think that the worst symptoms are low mood and anxiety. In terms of low mood and drepession I tell myself that the mood always lifts with low mood but not wirh depression. This helps me distinguish between depression and low mood. This is because I've read somewhere that a woman going through the menopause could be at risk of developping depression.
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I can't comment on va as I don't have it but I did find testosterone stopped leaking if that is an issue for you. I'd had to do regular pelvic floor exercises to prevent leaking since giving since giving birth in my early 40s. In peri I had zero libido but also kept pulling muscles for no reason. I think testosterone has improved muscle tone generally including my pelvic floor, I haven't had to do exercises since being on it. I don't know if it will help va as I don't have it but I suspect not. Others don't mention it improving their pelvic floor so it might only help someone like me where muscle tone is a particular problem.
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I have almost too strong a pelvic floor. I think that's half the problem. As far as does every woman get GSM or even VA as separate from or part of it, I think whilst it's impossible to generalise, it seems to be the case that the longer it goes undetected, the more things deteriorate and it then really gets a grip and becomes more resistant to treatment, needing a fair bit of trial and error to manage it as well as possible? That's my understanding anyway. Others may be along to expand. I hope everyone gets the treatment they need as soon as possible. Probably a good thing to start noticing little changes rather than getting by as so many of us do.
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MayB have a look at the vaginal atrophy threads? It's an overall correct terminology for VA etc..
My VA symptoms started with intermittent, repeated urine infection-type symptoms which my GP recognised as needing treatment.
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Hi Ladies, I have been trying the Yes VM for this since Thursday, that day I wasn’t too bad but thought well in for a penny and all that. Yesterday I was pretty normal but today has been a nightmare. I just feel a constant need to wee but don’t think it is a uti as it is quite clear and no smell or burning issues. I don’t know whether to continue with the Yes VM or stop it in case it has irritated something. I can’t take Nurofen as they make me sick. Any ideas.
Thanks
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Carry on with the product Lioness, it can take 3-4 months B4 symptoms settle. 'nurofen' is my go to, it's about easing that 'need to P' sensation as well as the sudden nip as the spinster closes to stop urine flow. What do U use for pain relief?
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Joaniepat has great advice to offer and suggestions to make. Perhaps she'll be along soon!
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Thanks for your reply, I just use paracetamol, anything with a fen in it upsets me as does cocodamol. I will carry on and hope things settle, I keep drinking water to rehydrate myself
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Speak to a Pharmacist ASAP. Some suggest bicarbonate of soda, diluted and swallowed :-\
Co-anythingat all has me on the floor after 2 pills :o.
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Hi Ladies, I have been trying the Yes VM for this since Thursday, that day I wasn’t too bad but thought well in for a penny and all that. Yesterday I was pretty normal but today has been a nightmare. I just feel a constant need to wee but don’t think it is a uti as it is quite clear and no smell or burning issues. I don’t know whether to continue with the Yes VM or stop it in case it has irritated something. I can’t take Nurofen as they make me sick. Any ideas.
Thanks
Hi Lionesses, sorry to hear about your sufferings. Have you been diagnosed with VA? What are your symptoms and what else are you using besides Yes VM?
JP x
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Hi, I am 1 year post menopause and have been ok but for the last 6 weeks I have had joint pains all over which have resolved themselves, hot flushes during the night but not too disruptive just get that hot wave all over for a minute or so. My main issues at the moment is discomfort around my coccyx when sitting and this constant need to wee. I have had three separate phone conversations with 3 different drs and the last one concluded that these were all menopause issues. He prescribed me some yes Vm which I started with last Thursday. Friday was not too bad with going to the loo and yesterday was almost normal but today I have been at least once an hour. Sometimes with very little urine but have continued to drink water all day. I can’t take nurofen so am unsure how to ease my symptoms. Thanks for your help
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I can't imagine why your GP would prescribe a vaginal moisturiser for urinary symptoms. Urinary tract symptoms could be due to GSM, in which case you need a local oestrogen treatment such as Vagifem. A moisturiser won't replace the missing hormones! If you are dry as well as having the urinary symptoms, then of course it will help with that. See if they will prescribe some Vagifem pessaries over the phone. You might actually have a UTI as the lack of oestrogen causes the tissues of the bladder and urethra to deteriorate and leave us more open to infection.
In the meantime, try half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water three times a day, or you can get the cystitis sachets from the chemist. Same type of thing, it will make urine less acidic and less irritating to urethra. I can't take nurofen either, so that's what I used to do.
Hope you feel better soon and can get some local oestrogen treatment.
JP x
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Thank you Joaniepat, I am not really dry down there just the wee issue. Drs are closed here today but some chemists are open so will go and get the cystitis sachets. I will let you know how I get on with the Dr as I have an appt next week.
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Tnx Joaniepat :great:
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Lioness86....Has there been a trigger for this "wee" issue? (I'm Scottish, so forgive the play on words!).
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The only thing I can think of is stress. I have never really experienced it before but after lots of symptoms in peri I really thought things had settled down as nothing apart from the odd hot flush during the night and then everything just erupted over about a week with joint pains, coccyx pain and then what I thought was a water infection but was all clear and I wasn’t really getting anywhere until I threw all my toys out the pram and then the Dr joined the dots and said he thought it was all related to the postmenopause. For now, until I see the Dr next week I have stopped the Yes VM and have started the cystitis treatment. I have to say I do feel a bit better today, you know what they say, a trouble shared...... thanks for all your help you are all wonderful xx
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Always useful to try to trace back to a possible cause in order to treat appropriately if possible. Testing for uti is not always accurate and if comes back "clear", may be more hormone-related. Stress may be triggering your adrenal glands, where more and more oestrogen is produced (or less and less depending on how you look at it!) as opposed to the ovaries as time goes on. So what you are producing may be getting gobbled up adrenally by the hormones there. Keep it simple for now though. Drink plenty water. Glad you're feeling better today. Rest if feeling fatigued.
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Lioness86: D-Mannose can be very helpful for what you describe. Quite a few of us know of it now and it's now in the NICE guidelines.
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Just a follow up to my previous post. I went to the chemist and got the cystitis sachets, the pharmacist thought that was the problem too! I felt a lot better after one day and had forgotten all about the problem by the end of the treatment. Today I actually had a face to face Dr appt and we went through everything. As I am feeling much better and don’t really have the burning or stinging issues we have decided to leave the vagifem for now but at the first sign of another uti the Dr will prescribe it. I am also taking the D-Mannose that was suggested so hopefully that will keep things under control. Thanks Ladies for all your advice x