Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Clovie on June 06, 2023, 10:50:09 AM
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Following on from another thread, thank you Ayesha, :)
I posted on there saying I want to avoid getting VA, and not feeling at all supported by my Gp and gynae.
Just thinking ...
Similar to using Utrogestan vaginally, can I use Oestrogel close to the point of need? Obviously NOT internally or on delicate tissues due to the nature of the preparation itself, but would that help concentrate some of the oestrogen near the area it is required?
Thank you.
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I would ask the GP/Nurse Practitioner for appropriate VA treatment to use on the vulval area. i.e. 'vagifem' or 'ovestin', smeared gently. Or have a lookC at the 'sylc' and 'yes' websites which have products for that area.
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Thanks CKLD, but that's just it, I don't want to ask them for anything else. It's been a nightmare getting what I have! Besides I do not feel I need lubrication or anything yet, no dryness, but I want to avoid getting it in the first place. :(
Don't want to ask because they (my gynae) has talked of even taking me OFF my HRT altogether due to this 'bleeding' that shouldn't be happening according to him and my GP, even though a scan shows all is well. :(
I've lost total faith in them.
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Get that appt for a menopause clinic made, if there is 1 locally then ring to see whether you can self refer.
Gaenaes often don't know nowt about HRT!
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Hi Clovie,
Just jumping in here. Am so sorry the difficulties you are having regarding the potential of losing your hrt. I think if I remember you are a ladylike myself who doesn't fit into the text book perfection for peri\meno age wise.
I don't know if you are UP based, but SYLK is a very soothing gel I use on the vulva area, as Ovestin which is fabulous internally for me, does cause me irritation elsewhere.
sylk can be bought in Boots etc, off as an otc product. It was on recall, so not sure if it is back out there, but may be alternatives.
I understand your reluctance to ask your dr\gynae, but maybe have a word in a pharmacy instead??
Wishing you well
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Clovie, as you want to use oestrogen as a preventative measure to stave off VA, have you thought of buying Ovestin from Superdrug?
As you are not suffering yet from VA you would only need a tiny amount each day and a tube should last you a very long time.
I have taken my VA condition entirely into my own hands and I use the treatment on my own terms as I know what's needed, no woman should get to the stage in life where she can't sit down and is given antibiotics for non existent bladder infections.
I had a medicine review recently and not one mention of my VA treatment came into the discussion, its for life and I am so lucky that my surgery understands this.
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Get that appt for a menopause clinic made, if there is 1 locally then ring to see whether you can self refer.
Gaenaes often don't know nowt about HRT!
Thanks ICLKD, I will at some point, just can't face it right now. I'll have to go private as the one in Scotland on NHS a couple of years back just pushed Mirena :(
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Hi Clovie,
Just jumping in here. Am so sorry the difficulties you are having regarding the potential of losing your hrt. I think if I remember you are a ladylike myself who doesn't fit into the text book perfection for peri\meno age wise.
I don't know if you are UP based, but SYLK is a very soothing gel I use on the vulva area, as Ovestin which is fabulous internally for me, does cause me irritation elsewhere.
sylk can be bought in Boots etc, off as an otc product. It was on recall, so not sure if it is back out there, but may be alternatives.
I understand your reluctance to ask your dr\gynae, but maybe have a word in a pharmacy instead??
Wishing you well
Hi Sarah :)
Yes that's me - age 59 still having periods (although "something MUST be wrong!":( )
I'll remember the name of the Sylk , thank you .
Touch wood, I'm not yet having VA issues, but want to be prepared!
Thanks for your reply and well wishes. Appreciated :)
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Clovie, as you want to use oestrogen as a preventative measure to stave off VA, have you thought of buying Ovestin from Superdrug?
As you are not suffering yet from VA you would only need a tiny amount each day and a tube should last you a very long time.
I have taken my VA condition entirely into my own hands and I use the treatment on my own terms as I know what's needed, no woman should get to the stage in life where she can't sit down and is given antibiotics for non existent bladder infections.
I had a medicine review recently and not one mention of my VA treatment came into the discussion, its for life and I am so lucky that my surgery understands this.
Hi Ayesha :)
I'd love to buy Ovestin but I'm afraid they won't prescribe as I'm already on systemic HRT, and Ovestin isn't avaialable over the counter :(.
Thanks for bringing this subject up. Grateful :)
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Gina is available from BOOTS for ladies over 50 who Haven't had a period for 12 months.
Your Surgery is negligent, VA treatment can be used alongside other forms of HRT or as a stand alone requirement. It might be worth your paying Dr Currie for an answer to the question: "I am able to use VA treatment ........ " etc. You will then have something to show your GP.
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Shouldn't be a battle should it and I know in years to come we will be able to buy these things over the counter, eventually!
I remember back in the day when you had to have a prescription for Canesten, now its easily available to buy at the supermarket.
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I think Clovie wants to use it as a preventative not because she currently has VA? In which case the situation is different, gp might argue giving medication for a condition you don't have is negligent.
If anyone knows the answer I'd like to know if there any risks if you end up with too much oestrogen 'down there' if you add it when you don't need it.
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Don't think there is an answer to this one, Sheila and I think one would have to wait for symptoms to start before being prescribed oestrogen cream.
A grey area, perhaps someone might know if they have been in this exact situation, perhaps someone using it for cosmetic reasons for instance.
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One GP told me that the ovestin is stimulating the tissue.
Maybe if you used it as a preventative you couldn’t then go back because you have stimulated the tissues ??
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Used as a preventative treatment and stimulating the tissues in the process, would that then mean that you prevent VA in the future.
My thinking has gone into overdrive today. We are all expected to work longer, what If I was a sex worker that still needed to work, if I was lucky to get the punters that is as an aging woman, but what if you needed oestrogen cream to keep plumped up for that reason alone, wonder what a GP's reaction would be.
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Used as a preventative treatment and stimulating the tissues in the process, would that then mean that you prevent VA in the future.
My thinking has gone into overdrive today. We are all expected to work longer, what If I was a sex worker that still needed to work, if I was lucky to get the punters that is as an aging woman, but what if you needed oestrogen cream to keep plumped up for that reason alone, wonder what a GP's reaction would be.
That is an excellent question!
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I think that sex workers are quite well served in that many LAs have Clinics that they can visit on a regular basis to check for STDs etc.. Apparently the incident of Gonerrhea and syphilis are rising ..........
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Thanks ladies, for all the replies ... and some food for thought! ;D ;D
I think what I'll do is start to use it as near as I can to 'normal' skin in that area, very upper thigh, very lower abdomen etc etc instead of my usual general inner thigh.
Then when I next DO need to see my GP I wish ask for localised too, hope she is amenable.
But here's a thought - - maybe it's because I HAVE always been using it on my inner thighs it has gone some way and prevented VA thus far? ::)
Most (well the few ladies I know who have spoken about HRT) use oestrogel on their upper arms?
Hmm.... interesting...
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Used as a preventative treatment and stimulating the tissues in the process, would that then mean that you prevent VA in the future.
I was thinking more that if you stimulated tissue that really didn’t need stimulating that you possibly couldn’t then pull back from it & could bring on VA as a consequence.
It is all directly on a sensitive area.
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If you're over the age of 50, you can buy vaginal estrogen off-prescription yourself from any pharmacy now. It's called Gina but it's the same thing as Vagifem. It might work out expensive if you need it every day tho....
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If you're over the age of 50, you can buy vaginal estrogen off-prescription yourself from any pharmacy now. It's called Gina but it's the same thing as Vagifem. It might work out expensive if you need it every day tho....
Would they notify my GP surgery though, do you know? ::)
Because although i'm over 50, I'm 59, but I'm still having periods, my periods have never stopped. It says for post menopausal women.
Thanks! :)
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No, they won't notify your doctor.
You might need to be liberal with the truth if you want to tick their boxes(!) but there's nothing wrong with using vaginal estrogen before post-menopause. Lots of us are, via prescriptions from our doctors.
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Clovie,
I am 56 and get periods every single month without fail. I have the mirena coil, so I don't have full bleeds. But I get all the usual pms symptoms, and This month (probably due to increasing my patch) I also had light bleeding\spotting.
So. I AM in peri, I still get regular 'periods' (never missed even a month, no erratic periods for this peri woman) and my g.p is happy to prescribe Ovestin for the last 4 years or so,along with Sylk for vulva moisturiser and as a sexual lubricant, and now YES to replace the unavailable sylk.
We don't tick their boxes, but despite our age and our cycles, we should have the much needed hrt in all its forms to help us have a better quality of life.