Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Flossieteacake on November 27, 2021, 09:09:29 AM
-
I am in so much pain due to vaginal atrophy. I took vagifem every day for one month but had to switch to ovestin as vagfiem made my IBS worse. I have been on ovestin for just over three weeks. I use Yes VM and Sylk as well as taking ibrophren 3 times a day. I am in so much pain. Is there anything else I can do?
-
I have had IBS for years and 'ovestin' isn't affecting my bowels. 3 weeks is early. MayB put an extra dose up in an afternoon, I had to do that this week.
However: when I was menstruating regularly I would become constipated a few days prior to a bleed. 10 mins. B4 a bleed began, I would get 'the runs', even if a period wasn't due.
How is your own cycle? It may be that if you continue to have periods they may be contributing to any slow transit/the runs.
What kind of pain? How often do you use the Sylk etc.? Have you tried Paracetamol in between taking the Ibrophren?
-
Its still early days, it can take a while to replace the estrogen that you have lost over a long period of time. You could try using the Vagifem again but just 2 or 3 times a week as well as using Ovestin everyday internally and externally. YES products are good but I couldnt use the oil based one just the water based and Silk irritated me also. Dont use too many products together, try one at a time until you're sure its ok and not at the same time as the Ovestin. Wash in water only or try Cetraben instead of soap. I dont wash my pants in washpowder or conditioer as this makes me sore and I find fragrance free panty liners act as a soft protective pad.
If the skin is really raw ask for some Dermovate cream to help heal while waiting for the estrogen to work. I use this if I have a flare up and it helped in the early days when I was so sore everything I applied just burned.
Be patient it will start to work it just takes a while, you will notice a few good days mixed in with the bad and then the bad days will become less.
-
I have had IBS for years and 'ovestin' isn't affecting my bowels. 3 weeks is early. MayB put an extra dose up in an afternoon, I had to do that this week.
However: when I was menstruating regularly I would become constipated a few days prior to a bleed. 10 mins. B4 a bleed began, I would get 'the runs', even if a period wasn't due.
How is your own cycle? It may be that if you continue to have periods they may be contributing to any slow transit/the runs.
What kind of pain? How often do you use the Sylk etc.? Have you tried Paracetamol in between taking the Ibrophren?
Thank you for replying. Ovestin does not affect my IBS which is why I am still able to take it. I do not have a cycle as I do not have periods. The pain is shooting pains, aching, a constant need to empty my bladder. I have not thought of taking paracetamol too. I use sylk and Yes about 3 or 4 times a day.
-
Its still early days, it can take a while to replace the estrogen that you have lost over a long period of time. You could try using the Vagifem again but just 2 or 3 times a week as well as using Ovestin everyday internally and externally. YES products are good but I couldnt use the oil based one just the water based and Silk irritated me also. Dont use too many products together, try one at a time until you're sure its ok and not at the same time as the Ovestin. Wash in water only or try Cetraben instead of soap. I dont wash my pants in washpowder or conditioer as this makes me sore and I find fragrance free panty liners act as a soft protective pad.
If the skin is really raw ask for some Dermovate cream to help heal while waiting for the estrogen to work. I use this if I have a flare up and it helped in the early days when I was so sore everything I applied just burned.
Be patient it will start to work it just takes a while, you will notice a few good days mixed in with the bad and then the bad days will become less.
Thank you for replying and all the tips. I am using unscented panty liners too. I look forward to the bad days becoming less. :)
-
Carry on with what you are doing, I am 15 weeks into using Vagifem and I use Sylk mosturiser, I am only beginning to see improvement. It takes a long time and needs patience. Take paracetamol as mentioned above alongside the ibuprofen. I found one of those heated pads you use for muscle pain very relieving.
You will get there eventually :)
-
Carry on with what you are doing, I am 15 weeks into using Vagifem and I use Sylk mosturiser, I am only beginning to see improvement. It takes a long time and needs patience. Take paracetamol as mentioned above alongside the ibuprofen. I found one of those heated pads you use for muscle pain very relieving.
You will get there eventually :)
Thank you for your kind words. I find my hot water bottle very helpful. I am glad you are seeing signs of improvement.
-
Have you been examined? Severe atrophy and oestrogen deficiency caused my bladder prolapse which caused shooting pains and constant aching dragging down feeling along with frequent trips to the loo. After a year of local estrogens and physio it was gradually rectified. Grade 1 prolapse is not always noticeable externally but still causes discomfort internally.
-
Have you been examined? Severe atrophy and oestrogen deficiency caused my bladder prolapse which caused shooting pains and constant aching dragging down feeling along with frequent trips to the loo. After a year of local estrogens and physio it was gradually rectified. Grade 1 prolapse is not always noticeable externally but still causes discomfort internally.
I have not. Before starting treatment my skin was very shrunken but it is almost back to normal now. I do not feel a dragging pain. Thank you for suggesting this.
-
It can be a while B4 the vaginal walls are plumped up enough to feel better. Keep up with the regime that works for you. Make a note of which pain relief helps and when you take it. Let us know how you get on.
-
It can be a while B4 the vaginal walls are plumped up enough to feel better. Keep up with the regime that works for you. Make a note of which pain relief helps and when you take it. Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for your support. :)
-
U R welcome.
-
Hi Flossie...as many of the ladies mentioned, it takes longer time so be patient. You will get there. Took me almost a full daily Vagifem use to feel 90% comfortable. Hang in.
-
Hi Flossie...as many of the ladies mentioned, it takes longer time so be patient. You will get there. Took me almost a full daily Vagifem use to feel 90% comfortable. Hang in.
Thank you so much. That has made me feel more hopeful. :)
-
My va was terrible and i had a weird burning and creepy sensation in ureatha. Was on the usual vagifem dose of initial 14 days and then twice weekly. Did this for about two months. This did not work, until gynaecologist said to use for everyday for six months and then go to twice a week. I only got as far as six weeks Daily and all symptoms stopped, so now on twice a week and symptom free. It does work and it does take time, but for a lot of woman the initial load up time is inadequate (2 weeks).
Maybe you need a bit longer initial load up. It will work, just takes time.
Good luck
-
I thought of you as I dropped off to sleep .......... hopefully regular use will ease symptoms.
Welcome Shellyjayne
-
I thought of you as I dropped off to sleep .......... hopefully regular use will ease symptoms.
Welcome Shellyjayne
Oh that is so sweet! Thank you for thinking of me. :)
-
My va was terrible and i had a weird burning and creepy sensation in ureatha. Was on the usual vagifem dose of initial 14 days and then twice weekly. Did this for about two months. This did not work, until gynaecologist said to use for everyday for six months and then go to twice a week. I only got as far as six weeks Daily and all symptoms stopped, so now on twice a week and symptom free. It does work and it does take time, but for a lot of woman the initial load up time is inadequate (2 weeks).
Maybe you need a bit longer initial load up. It will work, just takes time.
Good luck
Thank you. I am so pleased the symptoms have eased for you now.
-
Agree with what others have said about needing a bit longer to feel the benefits.
My heart goes out to you because my VA was terrible before I started Vagifem treatment. I had awful bladder pain, severe soreness, dryness and itching, splits in the vulva skin, low tummy ache, frequency/urgency/irritable bladder. Eventually the treatment got on top of the symptoms and it was wonderful. I was fine on Vagifem twice a week for ages and then it stopped controlling the symptoms again so I repeated the loading dose and it was ok again. After a while I had to increase the amount of nights I used it and then it settled again for ages. Just had a flare up recently (have posted about it) and am in the middle of repeating the loading dose again so hopefully it will all settle down again. I’ve just changed to water based Yes products instead of the Oil based one I used at the beginning on the outer vulva, but I think the oilbased products might have affected the vagifem absorption . I’m sending you a big hug xx
-
Agree with what others have said about needing a bit longer to feel the benefits.
My heart goes out to you because my VA was terrible before I started Vagifem treatment. I had awful bladder pain, severe soreness, dryness and itching, splits in the vulva skin, low tummy ache, frequency/urgency/irritable bladder. Eventually the treatment got on top of the symptoms and it was wonderful. I was fine on Vagifem twice a week for ages and then it stopped controlling the symptoms again so I repeated the loading dose and it was ok again. After a while I had to increase the amount of nights I used it and then it settled again for ages. Just had a flare up recently (have posted about it) and am in the middle of repeating the loading dose again so hopefully it will all settle down again. I’ve just changed to water based Yes products instead of the Oil based one I used at the beginning on the outer vulva, but I think the oilbased products might have affected the vagifem absorption . I’m sending you a big hug xx
Thank you so much JoJo42. You are so sweet. I am sorry you have had a flare up. I am using the water based Yes VM. I am disappointed I cannot tolerate Vagifem as it seems to work much better. I am grateful for you reply. I send you a hug back.
-
Aww, thanks for the hug x I’ve been mostly fine on vagifem, but if this flare doesn’t settle down I’ve been advised here to try Ovestin as a couple of times the vagifem pessaries have fallen out just lately without dissolving. I’m trying the Wb Yes to see if that helps first. Lots of people get on really well with Ovestin. I was thinking of trying Yes VM too instead of the WB in the future. I’ve just been learning as I go along - what works, what doesn’t, getting advice on this forum whenever things change/shift. For me, things seem to be stable for ages and I run off back to my life…and then…bump!! Then I run back here. The balance gets tipped every so often. Eventually, you learn and get a general feel for what might be happening and can get advice and ideas on here, implement various strategies/make changes. I’ve found it all to be a very steep learning curve. My mum had an early menopause too, but she said she sailed through it so I never learnt anything about it. I had never even heard of V.A before it happened to me. People didn’t ever talk enough about these things generally. Keep going, it will get better x
-
Aww, thanks for the hug x I’ve been mostly fine on vagifem, but if this flare doesn’t settle down I’ve been advised here to try Ovestin as a couple of times the vagifem pessaries have fallen out just lately without dissolving. I’m trying the Wb Yes to see if that helps first. Lots of people get on really well with Ovestin. I was thinking of trying Yes VM too instead of the WB in the future. I’ve just been learning as I go along - what works, what doesn’t, getting advice on this forum whenever things change/shift. For me, things seem to be stable for ages and I run off back to my life…and then…bump!! Then I run back here. The balance gets tipped every so often. Eventually, you learn and get a general feel for what might be happening and can get advice and ideas on here, implement various strategies/make changes. I’ve found it all to be a very steep learning curve. My mum had an early menopause too, but she said she sailed through it so I never learnt anything about it. I had never even heard of V.A before it happened to me. People didn’t ever talk enough about these things generally. Keep going, it will get better x
Thank you for sharing your experience. I had not heard of VA either. When I found out about it from this forum I mentioned it to my dr and he said I do not have the symptoms. I wish I had treatment earlier. I really hope you can try ovestin and that it helps you.