Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: bluebird68 on January 08, 2024, 11:46:52 AM
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Hi Ladies,
Anyone had this issue.
For many months I have had white discharge.
The sexual health clinic saw thrush under the microscope but they couldn't grow it on the dish so then said its not thrush
I have been on fluconazole for one month and whilst I'm on it, it seems less sore but still have white discharge
The GP checked said looks like thrush, go back to sexual health.
Have an appointment with sexual health doctor on Friday to review. All other swabs like VB etc came back normal.
What else could it be?
Going round in circles
Gyno did not spot anything other than white discharge. All very odd. Could it still be thrush?
Is there
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Vaginal atrophy?
The vagina cleanses itself, at certain times of the cycle there will be mucus ........ Mum called it 'the whites', never worked out why. She would tell my Dad, not me >:( :o
I digress. Ring your Surgery and ask for a prescription for 'vagifem' and 'ovestin' - the idea being that the former is inserted into the vagina every night for 2-3 weeks to ease any internal dryness. 'Ovestin' can be gently smeared round the vulva/labia outer regions.
U don't need an exam or blood test. Let us know how you get on. VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well which is why many GPs prescribe anti-biotic therapy which will ease symptoms initially but won't replace any oestrogen that is lost.
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Hi, thanks for explaining.
The GP has prescribed ovestin only. Why two types? Vagifem internal? It's so exhausting. Hopefully once treatment starts and with patience will feel less depressed.
I will feedback so that it may help others.
Thank you.
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I use Vagifem which is a pessary and used internally and a small amount of Ovestin to use topically on the outside.
Once you get VA under control which can take a while and patience is needed, but you will be fine.
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I use 'ovestin' a few times a week. Some ladies find that a moisturiser i.e. 'yes' or 'sylc'. It's a bit Trial and Error but once a regime is settled, maintenance is required. Let us know how you get on.
Use the 'ovestin' every night for a long as is required, usually 2-3 weeks to feel results.
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I use just ovestin internally and externally. Have you been diagnosed with atrophy?
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Midnight Shadow has just had a real battle with getting thrush properly diagnosed and treated. She has finally had success so don't give up if you feel that thrush could still be your problem despite treatment. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68297.0.html#msg931727
Taz x
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Hi, I had a white discharge that many drs said looked like thrush but swobs always came back negative. After my own research asked for local estrogen and now the discharge has gone so its worth a try. Good luck xx
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just an update really.
I went back to the gp after completing 6 weeks worth of fluconazole but the discharge is still there however I am less sore.
Previouly before fluconazole The sexual health clinic saw thrush on the microscope but they said they could not grow it therefore it cant be thrush.
I returned to sexual health clinic again today to review.
The doctor had a look inside, said he could see some foreign body and removed some bits. suggested it could be tissue, cant believe that somehow.
Not a clue what the foreign body is but they said they were not concerned and it may be that the discharge may resolve now. time will tell.
I have a tube of ovestin to start at some stage so hoping that this is resolves. Will close the loop once things resolved.
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'a foreign body' :-\ was this sent to a lab for analysis? Could U have left a tampon up there which has slowly dissolved though in general they cause more problems in the way of odour.
Vaginal discharge is normal. Get that 'ovestin' started ;-).
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'a foreign body' :-\ was this sent to a lab for analysis? Could U have left a tampon up there which has slowly dissolved though in general they cause more problems in the way of odour.
Vaginal discharge is normal. Get that 'ovestin' started ;-).
I wonder if tampon residue too. Even just a bit of tampon fluff that the vagina is trying to clear. I think a whole tampon left up there would cause a lot worse smell etc than just white discharge tho... am sure someone posted about that recently...
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Hi Ladies, thanks for the reply. I havent had a period for 5 years and haven't used tampons for years. It was suggested it could be tissue. A bit odd and no not sent for analysis. If things don't settle I'll be back to the GP. It's odd tbh. I have seen the gyno recently who didnt spot anything and did a womb biopsy. That was weeks ago. Haven't heard back. The lining is thin due to mirena.
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Hi Ladies, thanks for the reply. I havent had a period for 5 years and haven't used tampons for years. It was suggested it could be tissue. A bit odd and no not sent for analysis. If things don't settle I'll be back to the GP. It's odd tbh. I have seen the gyno recently who didnt spot anything and did a womb biopsy. That was weeks ago. Haven't heard back. The lining is thin due to mirena.
Sorry can I just check, do you mean tissue as in toilet tissue or tissue as in skin/flesh tissue?
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The medic should have sent a 'foreign body' to a lab for examination! Otherwise why have a GUM Clinic at all. :-\. Any 'foreign body' should be investigated.
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Could the gyny have left something behind?
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Foreign body is a mystery. If i get any more so called foreign body I will be returning for further investigation. Definitely not tampons and doubt toilet tissues would travel up. It's hard to know if gyna left something behind. I have started ovestin. Thanks for all your input. X
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Update - returned to GP today.
Still lots of white yoghurt like discharge with odd microscopic debri
I am on Sandrena 1.5g and recently started ovestin internally
My womb biopsy normal
Above pubic bone feels tender. No water Infection
Sexual health clinic unable to grow thrush
GP examined me said she couldn't see anything concerning. Lots of discharge
Said to drop the Sandrena to 1g and keep on with ovestin and said her may be the cause of the discharge. Said it's not VA because I am on large dose of Sandrena 1.5g?
Weirdly when I was on fluconazole although it didn't solve the discharge I felt better. Brain fog had gone. I was on it for six weeks. All a mystery.
Has anyone experienced anything like this?
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WRONG! VA presents with/without HRT. Some find that systemic replacement may help to ease symptoms but locally applied VA treatment is the best way to keep symptoms under control.
The vagina cleanses naturally and of course, what goes up has to come down ;-). If all is normal I wouldn't worry. Keep on with the 'ovestin'.
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Thanks CLKD. I will keep up with the ovestin. Personally I don't think the 1.5 Sandrena is causing issues as I've been taking that's a very long time without any issues. I think the extreme burn from the boots vaginal gel. Thank you for your reply x
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Just a thought, I had what looked like thrush but was not itchy for a few months.
I tried the fluconazole and also Canestan pessary but neither worked. I tried Blissel water based local oestrogen which just irritated it. I was then advised by GP to do the Canestan dual pack of pessary once and then the cream for a full week. This did the trick so local may be better way to get on top of it. It’s not returned.
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Thank you Dangermouse. Anything is worth a try. I think some clinicians are clueless. Even middle aged lady GP. Sure they are artificial intelligence not quite up to date haha
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bluebird - is the area irritated, sore ........ how thick is the discharge? If watery it's probably the VA treatment working.
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@cara999 thick white Discharge with occasional debris. Apparently not thrush as could not be grown.
Update today saw a gyno privately examined me looks like atrophy, all appears healthy otherwise Had a smear and high vaginal swab and blood tests ca125.
Womb biopsy previously is normal.
I have a private prescription to try lenzetto, blissel and imvaggis pessaries and hopefully this will help with symptoms. Said the white discharge isn't to do with hrt. Discard old regime once items received.
She has written to gp to ask for a blood test oestrogen to see if I'm absorbing in a month's time and to source the times on NHS.
Does anyone know if all these items are available NHS going forward.
Anyway, just sharing as some other ladies may wish to consider if their regime isn't working for them.
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Well done for pushing for a diagnosis.
The products suggested should be available via your GP. Some can be a bit iffy when we go privately however. If a Consultant writes to a GP with suggestions, on the whole they should prescribe without getting grumpy about it ;-).
Let us know how you get on. It's all about sharing information and hopefully GPs will learn ;-)
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@cara999 thick white Discharge with occasional debris. Apparently not thrush as could not be grown.
Update today saw a gyno privately examined me looks like atrophy, all appears healthy otherwise Had a smear and high vaginal swab and blood tests ca125.
Womb biopsy previously is normal.
I have a private prescription to try lenzetto, blissel and imvaggis pessaries and hopefully this will help with symptoms. Said the white discharge isn't to do with hrt. Discard old regime once items received.
She has written to gp to ask for a blood test oestrogen to see if I'm absorbing in a month's time and to source the times on NHS.
Does anyone know if all these items are available NHS going forward.
Anyway, just sharing as some other ladies may wish to consider if their regime isn't working for them.
I've attached a link below which shows the NHS hrt products available, and these are all covered by the annual hrt exemption certificate, so free! All of your products are listed, so GP should defo be able to prescribe.
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc/medicines-covered-hrt-ppc
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So glad your finally getting somewhere and actually have a diagnosis. Hopefully you will now to start to get some relief xxx
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Thank you all for the information and replies, this forum has helped me over the years with support. I hope my story helps someone else. Will update the story at a later date aswell.