Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Anadi01 on October 12, 2024, 08:01:11 AM
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Hello
Looking for a little help
Please :) :)
I am 55 and am post menopausal
I’ve always had a bit of urgency for running to loo or at least for a few years , certain foods etc would make worse so try to avoid
Anyhow..around end June unnoticed wee smelled very strong but thought nothing of it as had been trying herbal teas . But then started to get worse and the stinging at the end ‘Omg ..felt like throbbing in urethra for days and days ‘ handed sample in docs lost 😡 handed in another … nitrates gave trimethoprim 3 days .. seemed better and I forgot about it .. a few weeks later I had same symptoms drank lots of water and it went . So I bought myself those wee urine strips on Amazon to check myself … nitrates next day no nitrates and so on
Handed in sample doc says no infection
A?couple of weeks ago smell back .. handed in sample say no
Infection mmm
Last week I weed myself 4 times 🥲one walking home from work 🥲
Handed in another sample but took it myself to appointment Yep says dr positive nitrates … “you don’t say” 😂
I’m now on amoxicillin 500 x 3 a day for 5 days but my doc wanted to give me pessaries for low oestrogen but I said why ?
Says the problem will be that
But surely it could just be they messed up with my urine samples
I’ve read some where they trimethoprim 3 days would not have been enough ‘ no wonder I’m
Run down !
She also gave me “yes” as my skin feels so sore down there
I’m not surprised with the smell from urine and me peeing myself
My pelvic muscles terrible so I’m going to work on that big style !
Any advice please xx
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Has a urine sample been sent to a lab to C whether it's growing a 'bug'? If so than antibiotic therapy for 7 days is appropriate.
:welcomemm: vaginal atrophy - due to a drop in oestrogen levels which keeps the body lubricated in many ways as well as is the elastic in the joints etc.; mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well. It's how my VA began, my GP noticed that my samples hadn't been sent to a Lab. and prescribed appropriate VA treatment. The idea is to insert : 'vagifem', ovestin/estriol' every night for at least 2 weeks to plump up the vaginal walls. The preparation lubricates and moistens the internal vaginal area easing the need2P feelings.
When I get the latter I swallow 2 Nurofen 3 times a day to ease that nip as the urine flow shuts off. Do U have VA treatment?
MayB self refer to a physiotherapist who has knowledge of womens' 'problems'. Let us know how you get on?
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As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, vagina, deep in the ears, nostrils, scalp - and muscles may become lax = aches and pains.
What was the urine smell? Sometimes mine in the early morning smells like sulphur ::). The 1st pee will be darker and possibly smelly as we hydrate during the day from eating and drinking, the pee will lighten and the whiff should disappear.
Which VA treatment did your GP prescribe?
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Hello thank you for replying
I didn’t take any prescription
For oestrogen as the sample was high nitrates so convinced it’s a infection they did not prescribe enough for in June so it got worse 🥲the smell is not like the strong you get in morning
I can’t explain it but not ammonia smell
I’m using the “yes” I put it on yesterday couple of times
I’m hoping it helps too x
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R U in the UK?
Appropriate oestrogen replacement: i.e. 'vagifem', or 'ovestin/estriol' will plump up the vaginal walls. 'yes' or 'slyc' applied externally may well help the urethra and vulva. However, this is not recommended 4 internal use.
Get the prescription on Monday and insert every night for 2-3 weeks. Some ladies use 'vagifem' internally with a smear of estriol on the outer labia. I find that estriol inside and out helps ease symptoms 4 me, or KY jelly on the outer area. It's a bit Trial and Error initially.
If the odour isn't present all days, it's probably not an infection. Listen to your GP ;-)
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The moisturiser is just a lubricant and that's about all, it helps but what you need is to give topical oestrogen a try, it works like magic in making up for oestrogen lost with ageing.
This document is worth a read
https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf
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Take the vaginal estrogen!!!!!
Antibiotics will only help clear the infection that you've got (unless you take them long term prophylactically, which has it's own problems).
Estrogen will make the tissues around the vagina, urethra and bladder strong, healthy and plump again which will prevent you from keep getting UTIs.
If you can't or don't want to insert pessaries, you can apply estrogen cream around the outside.
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Thank you so much
I did not know it could be applied outside and not internally x
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Do you bleed with it ?
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Morning. I little on a finger and inserted into the vagina as far up as is comfy is another option, then a smear around the labia.
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Do you bleed with it ?
What do you mean by do you bleed with it?
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It is best to use the internal topical estrogen because it will get up to where the bladder is better, for these particular symptoms. Is there a reason you don't want to use the pessaries? The applicator is very thin, smaller than a tampon, and you can put some lube on it...
It is far better to treat the root cause and use topical estrogen than to continue to get repeated UTIs and need antibiotics. That is pretty rubbish for your body, for loads of reasons.
Even on topical estrogen and low dose systemic, I continued to leak wee in the day - I couldn't tell when it was happening but would smell it by the end of the day. It was only when my systemic E got higher (450pmol+) that this has stopped.
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Sorry I was not sure if it caused bleeding
I’ve had no period 3 years
Don’t fancy any more of that x
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If the vaginal walls are sore and thin, ladies may notice a smear of blood when they wipe. However VA treatment shouldn't cause bleeding.
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Thank you
I’m just a bit muddied at moment
I’ll see how these 5 days of antibiotics do x
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Get VA treatment started ASAP .......... :-\. There are far too many prescriptions given out for AB therapy when other treatments would ease symptoms.
Let us know!
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Sorry I was not sure if it caused bleeding
I’ve had no period 3 years
Don’t fancy any more of that x
Topical oestrogen doesn't cause a bleed, it doesn't come with the same baggage that systemic HRT can.
Perhaps you need to research GSM (Vaginal Atrophy) to learn more about the condition, knowledge is power as well as giving you reassurance.
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Thank you everyone
I’ll make appointment for when I’m next off in few weeks to go speak to doc x
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Ring the Surgery tomorrow and ask for appropriate vaginal atrophy treatment, U don't need an examination. Explaining symptoms should be ample.
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Hi Anadi01. Vaginal atrophy/dryness can be really upsetting. I think you should use the treatment that has been offered. The amount of oestrogen is really small but for some reason the patient leaflet gives the same information as for full hrt. You may find this thread useful https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,140.0.html
It really does pay to research as much as you can. Once VA has begun then usually the only way to stop it getting worse is to use an hrt preparation such as the cream or vagifem pessaries. If you've not had a period for over three years then your oestrogen level will have fallen considerably which means your vaginal tissues and your urethra will have become thin and this allows bacteria to enter your bladder much more easily. I use vagifem alongside full systemic hrt. Please let us know how you get on.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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That link is very old, Taz.
This link is much more detailed and up to date https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf
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That link is very old, Taz.
This link is much more detailed and up to date https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf
Thanks Ayesha. Your link is very informative. I felt the old thread has helpful comments from members too which is why I posted.
Taz :)
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Thank you ladies
Can I please ask as you all know so much
Which alternative things can I try
I think I’m just scared
Recently lost my brother and my other one has cancer too
I’m not in best head space and feeling very low
I don’t even know if I have this and wonder if it’s just urine infections🥲🥲
Sex has been painful for me ever since we met tbh
I’ve suffered from bouts of thrush many many times and didn’t years on hc canesten
I’ve had cervical erosion successfully treated 20 year ago and got used to when we did have sex that pain was normal for days
Only new thing ya this burning stinging peeing that doc keeps saying nitrate xx
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You have had some good advice including from three older experienced members.
I would set yourself a calm time and reread this thread and read the links.
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Ok 👍
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I agree with Minusminne - also get yourself onto a waiting list for CRUSE, a bereavement support group for the bereaved. Some1 to talk directly to about your feelings of loss.
Of course, the choice is yours whether to use appropriate VA treatment. However, do be aware that many GPs/medics still do not understand the symptoms of vaginal atrophy and by using a dip stick in surgery, continue to prescribe anti-biotic therapy when 'nitrates' may be normal for you.
I had treatment for cancer in 1990s and have used VA treatment without any concerns. Quality of Life is important.
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When you do find that calm time (no one can think rationally when suffering such anxiety, and overthinking is the worse) use the search box here, there are so many threads on Vaginal Atrophy (GSM) that I am positive you have and need oestrogen replacement to help you.
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Thank you for your kindness
It’s really appreciated 🙂↕️
Can nitrates be normal for me ? I did not know that x
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If I remember correctly it always showed up in my tests, I was given three lots of antibiotics but all I needed was oestrogen. That was four years ago and I have never suffered any bladder symptoms since being on Vaginal Atrophy treatment.
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Anadi01 - you could give it a try to see whether treatment eases symptoms? Many of us have been reluctant to begin various treatments but have found that most work really well.
What's the worst that could happen?