Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Strugglinglady on November 01, 2022, 09:30:24 PM
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Back on this wonderful board and needing help! I have had a few years of very little symptoms of VA but now it’s back with a vengeance! I am in so much pain I’m on pain tablets because I have r bladder spasms that are utterly agonising, especially in the morning , even though I drink water lol during the night. I have been very silly not using the vagifem propetly. I am back on loading dose. I am desperate and wondering if I can double up on vagifem until I get some relief. I am just miserable , my life has just stopped. I’m not on full hrt, I’m 67, so too old. Any ideas ? This board has been lifesaving for me in the past. Only went off it because of other health stuff. Waiting desperately on your answers. Thank you 🙏
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Hi Strugglinglady and welcome back.
It's never a quick fix with VA so you might need to be patient for a few weeks for the Vagiifem to build back up the lost estrogen. Also if you can asked for Ovestin to use externally and just inside around the bladder area and especially the urethra , that could speed things up.
Most ladies use local estrogen daily now so dont be to quick at reducing the dosage after your two week loading dose.
I never go below 5 vagifem a week and use Ovestin externally every night. Hope you start to improve soon and you're never too old for full HRT .
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Thank you so much Deirdre. So I can use it every day for as long as it takes for me to get rid of the discomfort? Also I’m seeing my doctor on Monday so I will ask for the cream to rub on externally as well. I’m not sure what that’s called in Australia but I will find out from him. I just hope the Vagifem kicks in fairly quickly because I am desperate and I can’t stay on the strong pain killers and I can’t function without them at the moment.Thanks so very much for your reply.
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I think it's Ovestin also in Australia but ask for Estriol cream if not. I assume you've had tests for UTI's and ruled out any other bladder problems?
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Yes I have had the other tests. This is so distinctive of my VA. It really is a miserable condition. I will ask doc on Monday for the cream and use it as well as the vagifem and hope for relief soon. Thank you Deirdre.
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Struggling lady, l echo everything that Dierdre has said and also you are not too old for full hrt so don't be deterred if you want to try that as well. I am older than you and still using hrt tablets ( Femostan conti) and have no intention of stopping. I use Ovestin alongside this for local relief as and when needed.
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Thank you , yes I think I will talk to doc Monday about full hrt . I think that would help me quicker. Thank you. This board is so helpful and everyone is in the same boat. I’m very grateful. 🙏
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Struggling lady...we can all relate. As Dierdre mentioned, Vagifem can be used daily. I need 5x a week in order to stay comfortable. As you're probably well aware, Vagifem takes a while to work but hang in there. Like the other ladies said it is a good idea to also get estrogen cream for vulva area along with Vagifem. V is great INTERNALLY but unfortunately doesn't get to the outer area. I have personally found I need both to keep VA under control. You have every right, as a mature and intelligent woman to DEMAND proper treatment. Go and get what you need.
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Hi Strugglinglady, just wanted to say I also echo everything the other ladies have said and advised.
After a year of VA treatment, I have been trying to reduce my seven day Vagifem dosage but It’s obvious I still need it. I tried every other day to start with, but I could feel the symptoms creeping back, it was enough for me to get straight back to every day Vagifem, including Ovestin topically twice a day.
As you know VA is nasty but needs constant treatment, if not it will soon get the upper hand, and it takes so long for the treatment to take effect when you first start.
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I will be taking all your advice . I have just woke up and mornings are a special
hell for me. Agonising bladder spasms when I wee , particularly at the end . Thank you so much for your reply.
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Have you had a cystoscopy recently to check that your bladder is ok?
Taz x :hug:
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No I haven’t but these symptoms are so typically VA for me I’m not concerned . No blood in urine or anything different. And as usual, aggravated by UTI. If doc refers me this might be suggested . I have always resisted cystoscopy because to me they seem so invasive and brutal. And here in oz they are expensive if done under anaesthesia, and I won’t have it done awake. I’ve been to a urologist a few years ago and she did an ultrasound and said cystoscopy wasn’t necessary , that it was quite obvious I had VA. Thank you for your reply though, I’m just so glad to have this support .
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Ah ok. I just wondered as the pain at the end of a wee can be connected to a bladder problem rather than just VA. I've had three cystocopies and each time went straight back to work with no side effects so were far less invasive than I thought.
Taz x
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Thanks Taz. Maybe that’s what I need so
If it’s suggested I will go ahead now I know it’s not so bad . Thank you 🙏
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I hope you get some answers. Have you considered Bladder Pain syndrome? I know it's easy to lump everything under the VA diagnosis but you may be dealing with two separate issues.
I also meant to say that you are not too old for HRT as I'm still on it at 68 and hope to stay on it! It's only full HRT plus vagifem that keeps my VA at bay now I'm older.
Taz :)
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I have considered that. I think I just don’t think about it when I’m not having the symptoms but I think now I have to address That this could be VA Plus painful bladder syndrome or something similar. Will definitely discuss this with the doc on Monday. Thank you.
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Hi Strugglinglady
I’m a fellow Aussie too, and yes we do have Ovestin here.
I just like to point out to anyone suffering vagina atrophy, I’m at a point where I’m now taken two less Vagifem a week, I’m doing that well. How?
I started vagina atrophy problems four years ago at age 44, four months after my hysterectomy, I’ve still got my ovaries?
First year crap, second year crap, I’ve been on just Ovestin and just Vagifem. On my third year I was doing well 90% plus better. Im now doing three nights on, one night off. And using both Vagifem and Ovestin internally and externally (different nights internally).
This year I started going downhill? Why, then it click to me, my husband had a major operation no sex for ten weeks.
So for the first time in my life, I’ve bought my first dildo and clitoris stimulator (recommended by my Facebook vagina atrophy group) GAME CHANGER
I’m now reducing my Vagifem, every slowly every 3 months before I will cut one more Vagifem out of my weekly treatment.
I’m now only very second night of Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally. And only using one moisturiser Yes VM and a day instead of three. I use my dildo and clitoris stimulator every third day for ten minutes, and hubby gets to join in the fun if he wants too.
Im now at 99% plus better, in February if I’m still doing well, I will cut back to three Vagifem a week.
So I highly recommend that when you get to a comfortable level, regular dildo and clitoris stimulator really helps you get to the next level.
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I have unable to have sex for over 4 years now. It began to get very painful so it really wasn't possible. After a number of medical appointments in various places :o, I was told it was diminishing Oestregen levels. No one mentioned VA but I have discovered more here than I have any where else. I am now a bit more confident and really want to give intimacy a 'good go' again. I'm fed up. I bought the excellent book by Jane Lewis and it has been way more comforting than the 10 plus medical appointments I have had.
A couple of questions - I have been referred to a Dermatologist as a next step (appointment next June!). I am really wondering if that is worth pursuing? My plan is to: Vagifem x 5-7 x 2 weeks and Yes lubricant every other day whilst practising a stretch with dilators I have bought. Any advice as to whether this is a good plan? I really need to get this sorted and want to give it my best (I will be terrified though!).
thanks ladies
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I have unable to have sex for over 4 years now. It began to get very painful so it really wasn't possible. After a number of medical appointments in various places :o, I was told it was diminishing Oestregen levels. No one mentioned VA but I have discovered more here than I have any where else. I am now a bit more confident and really want to give intimacy a 'good go' again. I'm fed up. I bought the excellent book by Jane Lewis and it has been way more comforting than the 10 plus medical appointments I have had.
A couple of questions - I have been referred to a Dermatologist as a next step (appointment next June!). I am really wondering if that is worth pursuing? My plan is to: Vagifem x 5-7 x 2 weeks and Yes lubricant every other day whilst practising a stretch with dilators I have bought. Any advice as to whether this is a good plan? I really need to get this sorted and want to give it my best (I will be terrified though!).
thanks ladies
Hello Nancy. I am sorry to hear your VA is bad. Vagifem will help you inside and I would use it every single day. If you ask for Ovestin (which is a cream) you can use that on the outer area. While Vagifem helps the inside it will not help the outer area as it is a pessary not a cream. Both combined will be a huge help for you.
Yes is a nice and gentle moisturiser and you can use it every day. You can even apply a bit to the Vagifem to help with the inserting.
There is no harm to see the dermatologist if you wanted to get your skin checked out.
Here is a thread were members discuss VA. I thought I would link it to see if it was helpful for you.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22886.0.html
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Thanks so much Flossieteacake and for sharing the link. I will disappear into that this evening!
I have no problem inserting Vagifem and have been recommended Yes lubricant. I haven't tried Ovestin nor has it been suggested. I am able to use a mid-size dilator and I will try 'stretching' with this for a while. However, when it comes to dtd, the pain too much both outside and in. Apologies for the detailed info, but there is no other way of saying it :D. MY gp recently had a look and it was pretty painful up top when she opened the speculum. I'm wondering is it bladder or has it just all shrunk!
I'll give all that a go - maybe I need to do it for a month solid, gradually increasing dilator size. I found a great site recommended here with exercises to try. I just want to give a proper go as I had resigned myself to sex no more, sigh!
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Thanks so much Flossieteacake and for sharing the link. I will disappear into that this evening!
I have no problem inserting Vagifem and have been recommended Yes lubricant. I haven't tried Ovestin nor has it been suggested. I am able to use a mid-size dilator and I will try 'stretching' with this for a while. However, when it comes to dtd, the pain too much both outside and in. Apologies for the detailed info, but there is no other way of saying it :D. MY gp recently had a look and it was pretty painful up top when she opened the speculum. I'm wondering is it bladder or has it just all shrunk!
I'll give all that a go - maybe I need to do it for a month solid, gradually increasing dilator size. I found a great site recommended here with exercises to try. I just want to give a proper go as I had resigned myself to sex no more, sigh!
Usually GP's do not know we can use two different local Oestrogens but you can and many members do on here. It is good you do not have any trouble inserting the vagifem. I can imagine how painful it must have been to have the examination. If you are sore then that will only hurt.
Good luck with the dilator's.
I just managed to find out what dtd means. ;D I had no idea. Nothing is too much information on here and sex will hurt until your atrophy improves.
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It's a condition which requires management.
1 can use a vagifem pessary in the afternoon and again at night, plus pain relief as necessary. Some require treatment nightly. As the spincter shuts off urine flow there maybe an intense nip! :o. Ovestin or 'yes' for example applied nightly around the outer labia can ease any dryness.
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Thanks Flossiecake and clkd for your replies. I'll try that. I've just read Jane Lewis's chapter on DTD ;) and she has some good tips. It has been such a comforting read and I'm nowhere as bad as she was thankfully. She, and this forum, have given me more hope than any medical practitioner and if I'd known what to do way back when this all started I'd be so much better off. Anyway, thanks for the support, now to get my new regime in place. It would be amazing if it worked. X
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Every medic and Vet should read "Me and My Menopausal Vagina"!!!