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[misskh]

Hi there...I've been scrolling through the Internet including MM for days now and I'm still at a loss.....So wondered if anyone could help?

Over the August bank holiday I tested positive for a UTI....have no clue what caused this one....normally having sex but that's a distant memory... and was given a 7 day course of Trimethoprim...... Sample showed I still had the infection so I was given a 5 day course of Nitrofurantoin....next sample was clear of infection . I then got a bout of thrush so the Dr prescribed Canestan duo...pessary and cream...this cleared up the symptoms but they returned so I bought another Canestan duo....This eased the symptoms but hasn't cured the problem...... I'm only sore on the outside of the vagina, feels more like burning....no discharge or odour with this or first the bout of Thrush.
I'm also suffering with a dull lower stomach ache....well more discomfort than pain.
Applying the Thrush cream does sometimes ease the soreness sometimes  but it doesn't shift it all together...Tummy discomfort stays... Always wear a skirt at home....sometimes no underwear.

For the last week I have been taking Acidophilus....a Lactobacillus friendly capsule daily and an Actimel drink to try and redress any inbalance caused from taking Antibiotics....

I'm also prescribed Vagifem which at the moment I'm not using as I'm not sure if its ok to do so.....if I'm honest I don't take this as frequently as I should as even inserting this can cause me to be sore as I'm so dry down there.

As my samples are clear and the Thrush cream isn't shifting the soreness completely I'm beginning to wonder if I'm suffering from something completely different..maybe Tummy and Vagina pains are connected..... maybe not....Maybe some other kind of problem . I have in the past had this soreness....although not Thrush.... and the wishy washy tummy feeling....had a scan last year... ovaries rather shrivelled....so I'm told.

Really just wondering if anyone has any advise they can offer or any other products I can try that may stop the discomfort.

Just to add I'm 53 and not sexually active due to incredible vaginal dryness normally which normally causes the  UTIs.

[Megamind]

Hi misskh,
If you were supplied Vagifem then I would use it. It sounds like you may have Vaginal Atrophy. There are lots of threads on here about it, so type it into the search engine and have a read. I'm sure someone will be along soon to advise you, in the meantime, have a read of this.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-vaginal-atrophy.php

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear about this and it is a common problem for menopausal women. Whether or not you still have an infection (there are lots of threads about this!) it does sound like you have vaginal atrophy and really do need to start the vaginal oestrogen as soon as you can. I understand from other women that insertion is often sore to start with so hopefully others who have suffered in this way will be along to offer advice. Dancinggirl is the resident expert on this - and Maryjane! There are other types of local oestrogen which you could start to use externally and around the inner parts. This is Estriol cream or ovestin. Although they are normally applied using an applicator, initially you could just use your finger to coast around the outside and inside of vagina - as far as comfortable - every day for a fortnight (the usual loading period) or longer until you felt more comfortable. This will plump the tissues up. Please do go to the doc and ask for this as well as the Vagifem. Some women need full HRT as well as local oestrogen in order to keep VA at bay (and vice versa ie some women like myself even tho' on full HRT for other menopausal symptoms, need local oestrogen as well to keep the vaginal tissues healthy).

There is a thread called the Burning Club here which you might like to read!
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22886.0.html

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

PS  !

Hurdity x

[Sweetscarlett]

Hi Misskh, Hurdity is correct is does sound like VA , having been ( and always shall be ) a fellow sufferer
I use vagifem and  Ovestin externally and I'm also on full Hrt to stave away any soreness.
Vagifem must be used regularly and it is recommended to begin with a 2 week course every night then I do twice weekly
Mine started very much like yours with recurring uti's mine got so bad I found it difficult to walk and wear knickers !
The soreness does eventually go , although you may not think it now !
There are many knowledgable ladies on here who also suffer from this complaint .

I personally have found it better to shower rather than bathe and I also only use Dermol to shower with , try and go knicker less whenever poss and I never wear tight jeans
 
Hope this helps , and you're feeling better soon
❤️❤️❤️Ss X

[misskh]

Thank you... does sound like it could be this...
I'll start back on the Vagifem today......Not sure whether to do the one a night for a week then twice weekly....as per first off..or just twice weekly.

I always shower and never use soap/shower gel down there.

I was wondering if I should also buy the Multi Gyn Actigel to use.....would you recommend this as well?

[CLKD]

Nope or you won't know what is working.

If you are very dry down there, then using KY Jelly several times a day will help.  Gently on the outer lips and as far in as possible until the skin feels supple.

As oestrogen levels drop the body dries up: skin, eyes, deep in the ears, nostrils, vagina …….. and if the skin in the vagina dries it becomes itchy and can invite infection. 

If you have difficulty inserting Vagifem: which needs application every night for 2 weeks then every 3rd and 5/6th night thereafter: for ever; then lay quietly on the bed after a *bath* and insert KY as far up as possible.  That will ease the vaginal lips open and eventually you can insert the Vagifem.

Although ladies find showering keeps symptoms at bay, I bath every night ……. I have never had problems with oils or soaps other than those 'cubes' that fizz.  They had me leaping out of the water  even B4 I had sat down ……. 'simple' products can be useful all over the body.  The vagina needs cleansing the same as the rest of the body.

I also drink Actimel to try and keep my innards healthy.  I also swear by 'live' yoghurt applied down below ;-)

[misskh]

Thank you CLKD.

For some reason KY Jelly doesn't suit me...I find it dries out.....so I have bought something called Sylk which is supposed to be just a lubricant and quite safe so I shall try that.

Do you have set days when you apply Vagifem...... eg Monday/Thursday or do you follow the every 3rd and 5/6th day routine?

[CLKD]

Sylk has a good record too.  I was prescribed Ovestin1mg which is applied with an applicator.  After my initial 2 week nightly loading, I have to tick the calendar  to remember - I can go 3-4 nights between use and it does depend on whether I am home/not.  So I tend to count 3 and 5 nights between …….

[Sweetscarlett]

My Vagifem routine is Tues/ Saturday I also use Hydromol each night on the outside
💚💚💚Ss X

[CLKD]

 

[Katejo]

Sorry to hear about this and it is a common problem for menopausal women. Whether or not you still have an infection (there are lots of threads about this!) it does sound like you have vaginal atrophy and really do need to start the vaginal oestrogen as soon as you can. I understand from other women that insertion is often sore to start with so hopefully others who have suffered in this way will be along to offer advice. Dancinggirl is the resident expert on this - and Maryjane! There are other types of local oestrogen which you could start to use externally and around the inner parts. This is Estriol cream or ovestin. Although they are normally applied using an applicator, initially you could just use your finger to coast around the outside and inside of vagina - as far as comfortable - every day for a fortnight (the usual loading period) or longer until you felt more comfortable. This will plump the tissues up. Please do go to the doc and ask for this as well as the Vagifem. Some women need full HRT as well as local oestrogen in order to keep VA at bay (and vice versa ie some women like myself even tho' on full HRT for other menopausal symptoms, need local oestrogen as well to keep the vaginal tissues healthy).

There is a thread called the Burning Club here which you might like to read!
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22886.0.html

Hurdity x

Hurdity  What is the difference between Estriol and Vagifem? I do have a tube of Estriol which i got last year (unopened and ok until early 2017) so I think i will try and use it. i will try the suggestion of using a finger first. How much should I try to use each time? Do you part fill the applicator?

[misskh]

I have the same problem remembering when I've taken them....then I get waylayed and weeks go by without using any....
Think I'll do the first 2 weeks at one a night and then maybe do as Sweetscarlett does and have set days... it'll be easier to remember.

[Tinkerbell]

Vagifem is Estradiol so different estrogen but they do the same job...Huridity can correct me if I am wrong
kateJo.... Is there a line on the applicator? I know there is on the Ovestin one, if so fill it to there.

[Maryjane]

Hi😊I unfortunately suffer badly from this heinous condition.

Re insertion ......dip the vagifem in the sylk bottle ( no hygiene worries as disposable ) lie on your back raise your hips , breath out as you insert and should be pain free.

I need vagifem 5 xs a week , PLUS ovestin on the outer bits as and when PLUS multi-gyn PLUS V-magic which i use between the outer and inner labia to keep it supple PLUS systemic HRT. ALL for my flipping vagina/ vulva/ bladder.

Not ONE hot flush , this started at 47 now 50.

Wish I was an expert on dodgy knees TBH.

Also some ladies do also need a temporary course of steroid cream for the area , oitment not cream but this is more specialised , as VA can and does very often run along side other conditions , like vulva excema, dermatitise, Lichen Scerlose the list goes on. Good luck .