Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Garnet161 on September 25, 2024, 02:35:42 AM

Title: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Garnet161 on September 25, 2024, 02:35:42 AM
Hi all,
I am curious whether anyone has noticed flare ups of VA depending on certain foods or drinks.  I am starting a daily diary as it is hard to get around the different symptoms which can appear at different times on different days. If the medication is the same each day, I am trying to figure why some days/times are good and others not.
I started a diary on September 1st to coincide with the start of Ovestin but I have not included food and drink - just what meds have been taken and the notable daily symptoms.
Can anyone share their experiences please?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Minusminnie on September 25, 2024, 03:24:24 AM
I notice a difference if too much coffee, tea, tomatoes. Never drink tea & one breakfast coffee watered down. Do occasionally have a coffee out & that often depends where & which type ive one local go to coffee shop that doesn’t seem to change their source of coffee.
Very spicy food, Worcester sauce & mint sauce.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2024, 08:49:22 AM
I have never had problems  :-\.   How often are U using the 'ovestin/estriol' Garnet161?

How long after eating those products do symptoms flare?
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Garnet161 on September 25, 2024, 08:56:49 AM
Hi, not sure if the food/drink is a contributor or not.  I am still using Ovestin nightly and lord help anyone who tells me to slow down!  It is night 26 tonight.
I had an uncomfortable afternoon today and I wondered whether it was anything I was eating or drinking.  I ended up taking a couple of paracetamol before dinner which certainly stopped the pressure.
My daughter was diagnosed with a UTI this morning, blood in the urine and all that horrible stuff.  I honestly do wonder how much my thinking of her and dealing with her antibiotics has made things feel worse!! 
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2024, 09:00:00 AM
It mayB that your hormones are rising and falling because I have had similar so take 2 Nurofen to ease the nip as the urine flow shuts off.

Does your DD have VA?  Whatever, the GP must send off a urine sample to a lab to be grown to ensure that the correct AB is prescribed.  Let us know how you both go!   ;)

It would take a brave person to wrest my meds away from me.  Oh, and chocolate  :whist:
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Garnet161 on September 25, 2024, 09:03:45 AM
Ah yes, I have questioned that before - whether or not hormones still rise and fall.  I see a difference from around this time of the month for about 10 days and then things seem to even out and be comfortable again.  I have started a daily diary to keep track.
Yes, DD is on antibiotics and they have sent the sample off to be cultured.  She is only 15.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Ayesha on September 25, 2024, 11:06:04 AM
I have never associated food with VA but it would be anything to do with whatever makes the body dry on the inside, for instance some medications.
Antihistamines, some antidepressants, decongestants, alcohol I would also think would be a factor and stress, these can all bring on a flare up.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: bombsh3ll on September 25, 2024, 02:44:20 PM
Food and drink really shouldn't affect VA.

Whilst it is biologically plausible for the drying medications listed above to have an impact, VA is due to lack of estrogen, and should resolve with appropriate treatment irrespective of your dietary habits.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2024, 02:57:47 PM
I wonder if strong urine flow which is touching the vulval area may contribute to 'stinging' ?  How is your flow ....... and do you empty your bladder each time, I have to push my belly as I can't feel wee leaving my body.  Then I can hear another surge  ::)
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Ms_london76 on September 25, 2024, 06:52:47 PM
Coffee tea, sugary drinks, pop, wine, juices, all do not help and tend to make you more dehydrated.

If drinks with electroyoltes where I was using all summer but kept running to the bathroom. I

Coffee, tea, electroyoltes are all forms of diruetics which make you pee more and ultimately just make you dehydrated cuz of all the peeing.

I am drinking water and adding Himalayan salts which is natural form of electroyoltes and I feel more hydrated and retaining water better.

Highly recommend
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Garnet161 on September 26, 2024, 01:38:47 AM
Ok thanks for the insight.
I only have one latte per day, and I never feel any worse for it.  Other than that, I am incredibly boring and only drink water and one apple juice per day which is to take my herbals supplements with.  I never drink soft drink or any alcohol.
I had read about other medications like antihistamines having an effect - I stopped the occasional Telfast dose for hayfever, in case it was contributing (and ended up with a lovely dose of allergic conjunctivitis!!).  Oh the joys.  But I have found good allergy eye drops - I can handle the sneezing but not the sore, itchy eyes so I have to alleviate that.
My urine flow is almost always large.  When I go, there is plenty there.  I have always had a bladder which fills very quickly and that is fine - I don't mind going for a wee every couple of hours if there is plenty there.  It's those times when I feel like I have to go and there is practically nothing.  Fortunately, now, those days are few and far between.  Thanks mostly to the Ovestin and the topical estrogen cream.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Taz2 on September 26, 2024, 07:12:42 AM
Hi Garnet. I've found this old thread which might have some useful advice. I haven't read it all though. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,58904.0.html

Taz x
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: CLKD on September 26, 2024, 07:22:17 AM
Ms_london76 - what colour is your urine?
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Ayesha on September 26, 2024, 08:17:43 AM
Hi Garnet. I've found this old thread which might have some useful advice. I haven't read it all though. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,58904.0.html

Taz x

What an informative and helpful thread, even the title.  I’ve only recently known of the new term for vaginal atrophy now called GSM. Postmeno3 was a brilliant asset to this forum, so knowledgeable and helped so many. 
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Garnet161 on September 26, 2024, 09:13:42 AM
Thank you Taz, an excellent thread.
Title: Re: Foods/drinks that affect VA?
Post by: Taz2 on September 26, 2024, 09:35:26 AM
Hi Garnet. I've found this old thread which might have some useful advice. I haven't read it all though. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,58904.0.html

Taz x

Postmeno3 was a brilliant asset to this forum, so knowledgeable and helped so many.

I agree. Maybe she's still reading the forum.