Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Bella247 on October 08, 2024, 07:23:24 PM
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I’ve had VA for a few years.
First I used Ovestin. It worked for a couple of years then seemed to stop.
Then I tried Vagirux- it didn’t work at all.
Now I’m using estriol twice a week (and every other day on the vulva which is where it seems worst) on the advice of a Gynecologist. This seemed to be working ok alongside olive and bee every time I went to the loo.
I had a flare up a couple of weeks ago and did a loading dose for a week which seemed to work.
Now I’m having another flare up and I’m well and truly fed up.
I do not know what else I can possibly try??????
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I feel your pain Bella247.
I have this also now ( due to not being able to take systemic HRT).
I’m burning, itching and bloody fed up. Oh and my “ bits have vanished!
I think you need to use a cream and pessary daily: twice a week is nothing.
What’s olive and bee?
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Just bought some olive and bee!
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Oh really that’s so interesting.
I have health anxiety and although the logical side of my brain says the risks of vaginal HRT are overstated I still get worried. That bloody panorama documentary on Louise Newson hasn’t helped.
Olive and Bee is an organic olive oil based moisturiser.
There just seems to be no rhyme or reason why I get these flare ups. I’m so fed up of it.
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Do you mind if I ask, does systemic HRT help with vaginal atrophy?
My GP (who’s pretty clueless) said oh we don’t prescribe systemic HRT where the only real symptom in VA.
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You can never use too much localised oestrogen and if you are having flare ups, it probably means that you need to use more cream.
Ignore the Panorama documentary; vaginal atrophy is the pits and needs treating, otherwise it will worsen.
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Systemic hrt sorted mine. Now it’s back.
Maybe try a different GP and ask for a low dose HRT? It might just solve things for you. Obviously if you have a womb, you would need progesterone ( or not if you don’t).
It’s all trial and error unfortunately.
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Oh no poor you! It’s so frustrating when you think you’ve cracked it and then that treatment stops working.
I think drinking coffee might make me worse (could be a coincidence that the flare up seemed to have coincided with me starting to drink coffee again because I’m so tired).
Unfortunately that GP is supposedly the one with an interest in women’s health at my GP surgery. The other ones he seen there are even worse than her.
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The only way I can control my VA (GSM) symptoms is to use treatment every day. Vagifem, Estriol cream smeared on the outside twice a day and a moisturiser.
I tried to reduce the dose but the symptoms immediately came back even after four years of treatment.
Topical oestrogen is a different ball game to systemic HRT, no need to worry about over dosing.
For some women systemic HRT is not enough to control VA symptoms and need topical treatment too.
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Thanks very much. It’s so confusing.
I’ve read there’s something called intra rosa you can use but I don’t know much about it.
I try not to google because of health anxiety buy I feel like I’m left with no choice because GPs are always so ill informed and/or dismissive
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So is Dr GOOGLE!
U R in the right place - browse round. Make notes ;-)
Vaginal atrophy can be controlled/eased with appropriate treatment. We cannot overdose on oestrogen because it's our natural hormone although as we age levels drop off. Replacement localised 'vagifem' and/or 'ovestin'/'estriol' really helps.
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Must be the time of year, I'm having a flare up too. Took 2 vagifem and 2 lots of estriol yesterday and feel improvement today. I usually take both daily anyway so had to double up to make a difference and it seems to be working. Will go back to one a day in a couple of days. Had alot of stress over the last couple of weeks, it does it every time. Wasn't sore this time as used my Dermovate and nipped that in the bud but the plumpness had completely gone and was looking very dehydrated and loss of colour, like no blood flow. Googled it and one of the delights of atrophy.
Yes, that Panorama programme has triggered the doubts again!!! I have no choice, if I don't use the amount I do then I have no life and might as well take to my bed.
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Weather conditions can definitely play a part, hot summers and now a humid autumn, I've certainly used more Estriol this summer. The condition will bite back if you have one of those can't be bothered days and miss out on a treatment, it has to be consistent.
Topical oestrogen is the safest form of HRT, the Panorama programme featured the use of systemic HRT only, which is always a most controversial and discussed subject. Whereas topical HRT is hardly spoken about, you can buy it over the counter its that safe, we shouldn't doubt or worry about using it as we need to control our symptoms.
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If it were me, assuming you have no contraindications, I'd seriously consider systemic hormone therapy.
Vaginal estrogen treats one thing, systemic treats everything.
Even the vaginal creams are a much lower dose now than when they first came on the market, and it just isn't enough for some people.
My personal view, and I know this isn't shared by some specialists but is by others, is that if someone has a healthy level of estrogen systemically, they don't have vaginal atrophy unless there is another issue such as neuropathy or reduced blood flow.
Studies from the 1990s showed VA to be prevalent with a blood estradiol level below 50pg/ml, and much less so as levels increased above this.
You can still use vaginal estrogen as well as systemic if you want to.
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I really feel for every woman who is at the end of her tether trying to cope with this, it’s grim!
Can anyine who is experiencing this totally debilitating condition advise if VA/GSM ever settles down or ever goes away?
Im 54, using systemic HRT for last two years and now also 10mcg Local Estrogen (Vagirux) every other day and it’s not even tackling the burning, gnawing, cramping and constant UTI symptoms. So far this has been a permanent flare up for five months straight now! I had stopped systemic HRT for the usual clinical investigations but resumed 3 weeks ago. GPs seem totally dismissive. It’s so hard to come to terms with the whole thing. How are women supposed to just ‘get on with it’???
Thanks for this supportive commuity!
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Sometimes the pessary is not enough to control symptoms and it doesn't always reach down to the outside area, my advice would be to ask your surgery for Estriol cream to smear on the outside.
I am much older than you and no longer have symptoms with daily treatment of Vagifem, Estriol and a moisturiser.
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It will go away with the correct medication and enough usage. Some don't get on with 'vagirux' :welcomemm: Vavavoom ........ so do ask for 'vagifem' for internal use and 'estriol' to apply on the outer labia regions. Nightly. For as long as required - suggested 2-3 weeks then as necessary. however, many do require nightly use.
I have found 'ovestin' - now 'estriol' - helps. I can usually manage twice a week-ish, when I get a niggle I add a dose in the morning then every night for at least 5 plus 'nurofen' two 3 times a day to ease the nip as the urine flow shuts off: which when VA is present, I get goosebumps !
Vavavoom - has a urine sample been sent for testing? Is there a Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery with more knowledge? If U continue to meet resistance or lack of education then do ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic.
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Thanks Ayesha, CLKD. I’ll add those suggestions to my knowledge bank and dial up the determination to get to a proper clinic.
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Has a GP actually examined you?
It sounds like are under treated and certainly have scope to increase what you are using but it would also be worth excluding anything else such as lichen sclerosis or a prolapse that may require specific treatment.
Don't just put up with it, you are not being a nuisance, just think how much fuss that GP or nurse would be making if their genitals were on fire 😉
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Also - a few are sensitive to the 'fillers' or 'packaging' so it's a bit Trial and Error.
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Has a GP actually examined you?
It sounds like are under treated and certainly have scope to increase what you are using but it would also be worth excluding anything else such as lichen sclerosis or a prolapse that may require specific treatment.
Yes I was referred to a gynaecologist who ruled out lichen sclerosis / prolapse. I don’t like to google as I have very severe health anxiety.
I just want to not realise my vagina is there if that makes sense.
Don't just put up with it, you are not being a nuisance, just think how much fuss that GP or nurse would be making if their genitals were on fire 😉
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I just want to not realise my vagina is there if that makes sense.
It makes a lot of sense to anyone suffering from VA (GSM).
What exactly is your treatment regime?
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I can confirm that it can totally go away. I was incredibly itchy and sore. I treated myself twice for thrush originally, thinking I had thrush. When that didn't work, I thought I had an infection and went to the doctor for an exam.
I had either a watery gushy discharge like urine - OR the opposite, occasionally this thick gloopy glue-like discharge - apparently the cervix tries to moisturise itself but can't get it right and it goes in both directions sometimes.
I was very red down there. I slathered myself in YES water based lube and some bees wax moisturiser (which lasted longer so I preferred it) and I also had an applicator which I used to insert both vaginally too.
The doctor gave me Vagifem and I also got Ovestin for external use (which I think was the most effective topical product I tried)...
And then I got onto systemic HRT as well, for various other symptoms I had. Once my systemic HRT got up to a reasonable level, I found i was hardly needing to use and of these other products and now I don't use anything topical/local at all and I'm just fine on systemic HRT. Which is good because it was a full-on production multiple times a day to apply so many topical products.
I am now symptom free and don't think about the vag stuff at all ;D or use anything locally. So - YES - you can completely recover from this.
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I’ve been using ovestin plus vagirux pessaries twice a week alongside Sandrena gel but was spotting and the GP suggested switching to Blissel gel alongside the Sandrena - I’ve been having stomach cramps, initially more spotting and now thick, white lumpy discharge - not pleasant - but it’s not itchy so don’t think it’s thrush. Any ideas? Just finished two week loading and will see what happens on twice a week Blissel gel.