Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Jules on August 25, 2023, 10:53:18 PM
-
How much ovestin do you use? I use vagifem twice weekly which is enough and I'm using a tiny bit of ovestin externally each night but I'm not sure if I need to or the amount
-
Hi Jules, I use Vagifem x 2 a week and estriol cream about 3 x week externally like you just a tiny amount. I think knif it's working for you keep doing it, it's such a tiny amount xxx
-
If you are comfortable with what you are using then just keep doing that. You are using a minimal amount at the moment.
Everyone is different with various stages of atrophy and if you need to use more in the future then it's ok to do so.
-
The beauty of using VA treatment is that you are in control of the dosage, if you feel you need more do so, if not keep to your usual dose.
But lucky you, I am down to six days a week Vagifem, every day Ovestin topically but one day I might try getting down to five Vagifem, time will tell......
-
Okay thanks everyone. I'm going to reduce the ovestin. I literally use a smudge of it but have no idea how much that is.
-
I'm quite liberal with using ovestin externally and alternate nights internally. You can find your own level and if a smudge turns out not to be enough I wouldn't be afraid to use more.
-
As required I would suggest having used VA treatment for several years. Internally as well as round the outer labia to keep the area soft.
-
As required I would suggest having used VA treatment for several years. Internally as well as round the outer labia to keep the area soft.
I recently had an internal examination because I had pain (which I'm sure was a UTI as it cleared after antibiotics), but the GP said my inner and outer labia had fused. She said it was normal for some women with age but I was perturbed. She said it reduces flexibility. I seem to have no problem having sex in fact it's easier than it was 10 years ago when I was married because I'm now using vagifem. But it's something I've never heard of, like many other weird and wonderful aging things that go unspoken about but women have to cope with
-
I wouldn't reduce your dose of Ovestin, it sounds like you need it if the labia has fused. It will help reduce further fusing and shrinkage. I use it to stop flare ups of Lichens sclerosus which can develop due to lack of estrogen on the vulva.
-
I was at the chronic stage when I had completely fused up, almost impossible to gain entry and its the reason why GP's can tell by just looking that they tell you, you need oestrogen down there! I was completely unaware of what was happening to my body until I had to seek help with terrible burning and pain.
Use the treatment as you wish, don't reach the stage I got to through my own ignorance and being uneducated to what can happen to the female body as we age.
-
Why do U feel the need to stop the ovestin?
How 'fused' are the labia if you are able to tolerate penetrative sex?
I would do a reload: vagifem internally every night for 5 as well as a dollop of ovestin on the outer labia. After 5 nights review [with a mirror ;-) ] and if necessary load another 5 nights.
-
Why do U feel the need to stop the ovestin?
How 'fused' are the labia if you are able to tolerate penetrative sex?
I would do a reload: vagifem internally every night for 5 as well as a dollop of ovestin on the outer labia. After 5 nights review [with a mirror ;-) ] and if necessary load another 5 nights.
I don't know because I wasn't aware of it and haven't looked specifically because I'm already anxious and feeling down about it all. I currently don't have any problem with sex if I'm using twice weekly vagifem and a bit of ovestin. Is it something that continues and worsens? I'm so fed up of all this. I felt dreadful after seeing the doctor. I'm 65, people mistake me for 10 years younger, it's just down below that's not helping
-
If you don't have a problem then that's great, just carry on with what you are doing. There's no need to reduce your dosage and increase as and when you need to, if you need to in the future. Everyone is different and local estrogen is very flexible to suit individual needs.
I was totally ignorant to what happens to our bodies during and after menopause and it does come as a bit of a shock when you see the changes down below. Using local estrogen doesn't reverse this but stops it getting worse.
Vaginal atrophy or Genital Syndrome of the Menopause (GSM) is more common than you think but as it's not talked about we usually find out the hard way when already suffering and haven't a clue why.
-
If you don't have a problem then that's great, just carry on with what you are doing. There's no need to reduce your dosage and increase as and when you need to, if you need to in the future. Everyone is different and local estrogen is very flexible to suit individual needs.
I was totally ignorant to what happens to our bodies during and after menopause and it does come as a bit of a shock when you see the changes down below. Using local estrogen doesn't reverse this but stops it getting worse.
Vaginal atrophy or Genital Syndrome of the Menopause (GSM) is more common than you think but as it's not talked about we usually find out the hard way when already suffering and haven't a clue why.
I've been to my GP loads over the last 6 years with UTI problems etc. None of them mentioned anything like this. They're too vague. I was aware I'd lost some volume down there and did mention it but hot no reply and i didn't know it was progressive. I keep thinking that before long I won't care about sex but oddly I've never enjoyed it more, I met someone after divorce and its just a friends with benefits thing, he is 5 years younger though and fit as a fiddle and I'm now getting very self conscious. I think before long I won't have the confidence to get my kit off with all this body changing thing. I looked ok up to about 2 years ago. I would have used the stuff sooner if I'd known.
-
We don't know. If U are in a new relationship that explains the natural lubrication so VA isn't such a problem.
It may become worse or your regime may be enough to keep the vagina and vulva comfortable.
-
I really relate to what you say Jules. It really is a bloody shock. I cried a lot when I found out a few years ago. I'm your age. I'm in a much better place now with local oestrogen, but it really is a depressing condition. And I knew naff all about it till it happened.
-
We don't know. If U are in a new relationship that explains the natural lubrication so VA isn't such a problem.
It may become worse or your regime may be enough to keep the vagina and vulva comfortable.
I resisted using vaginal estrogen for a few years because of the mentions of cancer. Before that I didn't even bother to ask the doctor. I met this man 6 years ago. Vagifem has definitely helped, I just didn't know I needed to attend to the outside nor did my doctor tell me I should. I haven't had bad menopause problems in terms of hot flush, moods etc. Just down below. My sister 20 months younger had bad menopause but none of these issues. It's all a bit depressing really, especially when I'm otherwise in decent condition for my age and I'm finally enjoying a sex life with someone I'm really attracted to and im free and old enoughto do what i want. And I'd never heard of this other condition, lichen, so that's worrying me now. No wonder some on this forum have health anxiety with this menopause rubbish
-
To be honest with you, Jules, as far as I can see you seem in a very good place to me. If you read some of the stories on here how women much younger than you are suffering the most horrendous menopause symptoms, you should be more relieved that you are having a good menopause.
The only way forward for you is try and not to over-think everything and use the VA medication without worry, read all you can on Vaginal Atrophy, education is power.
-
So had you gone to a GP with knowledge: if you could find one ::) : U could have discussed the various cancer risks, most of which have been discredited. Also HRT helps protect bone and hearth health. As will regular exercise [note to self].
Having had cancer in the 1990s by the time VA arrived in my late 50s Quality of Life was the main issue.
-
To be honest with you, Jules, as far as I can see you seem in a very good place to me. If you read some of the stories on here how women much younger than you are suffering the most horrendous menopause symptoms, you should be more relieved that you are having a good menopause.
The only way forward for you is try and not to over-think everything and use the VA medication without worry, read all you can on Vaginal Atrophy, education is power.
I suppose so. I think if I'd still been married, I wouldn't feel as bad, we'd grown up together. That took some getting over. But I've been single 10 years and for the last 6, been having a fun sex life again after my marriage had dwindled away. Its exciting. It feels like I might have to lose that now because my private bits will let the team down. I'm doing ok right now but who knows in another month. I'm going to chat to my doctor. It's bloody rubbish being a woman. It's like our very existence was purely for reproducing and once that's done, we shrivel up and become defunct
-
I'm sorry if I sound soft when there are people worse off. It's been a bad year and every week seems to bring a new worry. And GPs have no tact. After she'd described what she could see, I left feeling like less than a woman. Ironic, while I've been reliably using my retinol face cream to fend of aging, I should have been fussing lower down🙄
-
...... while I've been reliably using my retinol face cream to fend of aging, I should have been fussing lower down🙄
Sorry but this has just given me the laugh that I needed today.
Sending you a virtual hug :bighug:
-
...... while I've been reliably using my retinol face cream to fend of aging, I should have been fussing lower down🙄
Sorry but this has just given me the laugh that I needed today.
Sending you a virtual hug :bighug:
Well I'm glad I made you laugh. I suppose it could be worse. I could have a banging vulva but a menopausal face😁
-
I've had a long chat with my doctor about menopause changes and sex lives. She tells me regular sex helps. I'm hoping one day I get up and have lost all interest in it and then I don't need to worry about how I look, whether I can etc