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[ancient runner]

Hello ladies
Starting using Orthogynest cream and got GP to move me on to Ovestin in around May when the OG simply wasn't doing enough. The agreement was that I'd use the Ovestin until I got past school holidays/busy work period then would come off and see what happened and if I really needed it.
So it's now September, when I'm supposed to be stopping. But the Ovestin every 3 days is also not keeping a cap on symptoms (soreness and pain which comes and goes in vulva and sometimes very dry -- causes problems sitting, walking, running, swimming.). I am usually desperate to use the next dose when it's due, and the good effects are sometimes not apparent then for 24 hours. Last time I saw GP and said some of this he suggested getting swabs in case I had some form of infection. I did this, and don't.
*GP is semi-retired and very helpful, and I can't get an appointment with him for two weeks. Two questions:
does anyone think going on to the estring or vagifem would help? I like the idea of a constant low dose on the estring rather than peaks and troughs from a twice weekly dose. GP didn't appear to have heard of the estring though practice nurse had. I can see this may end up being a full HRT job but I don't really have many other symptoms.
*do you think I have to come off the Ovestin pre-appointment? I can't bear the thought of it getting worse than it is as I have to work, have kids, etc, and it's not quite doing the job as it is.
one last thing -- I am still having periods (erratically) and all pain disappears while I am bleeding. Oestrogen surely would drop further at that time so what's going on?

thank you all. Everyone on here is so helpful -- and I don't yet know enough myself to be helpful in return.

[Suzi Q]

Dont come off Ovestin and use every other night till you go see how that helps
You dont take Vaginal help then stop or you go right back where you started
If youve no other symptoms then DONT go down HRT route theres no need
My best guess is get thr right dose of Ovestin right you may need it for a few weeks every other night then every 3rd night it is trial and error YOu can ask for Vagifem but it seems as you have an older GP he maybe les sure or he maybe happy to see you in no pain BUT if your having an internal do not stop Ovestin it doesnt afrfect anyting
I wouldnt fancy having somehting inside me myself and have to be taken out and new one put in but thats me
Read up oin the ring see if you fancy that more than Vagifem I feel your pain Ive had a rough week last week with atrophy pain sittings the wrost and the throb xxx

[ancient runner]

Thanks Suzi Q --I've just seen your post about your last week and really sympathised with the bit that said you felt like the Vagifem had been sucked in -- my undercarriage seems to heave a sigh of relief every time I use the Ovestin and, yes, kind of sucks it up. I was wondering about using it 3 times a week -- or even a double dose -- but that would be tricky with cream.
Glad your bits have settled down again. You should write a book on VA you know. Am stunningly impressed you spend time on motorbikes -- I can't even get on with my office chair at the moment!

[Hurdity]

The estring would give you a constant dose of oestrogen and especially if you are not on full HRT and don't need it yet. Not sure what it is equivalent to in terms of the other vaginal treatments, but looks like maybe equivalent to 25 mcg vagifem twice a week - from my interpretation of the data.

There is someone on here who was using it fairly recently - might be on the vaginal treatments thread
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,140.0.html

I think the only drawback is it doesn't come in different sizes so may not suit everyone. If you've ever used the cap for contraception it's the same idea.

Here is the detailed info ( ignore all the warnings - they are standard for any oestrogen!)
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womens-health/medicines/estring.html

and more technical here:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1512/SPC

I can't comment on why the pain disappears when your period comes. I think it depends when in your cycle the pain starts to return?

I agree with Suzi Q don't come off the cream - hope no-one suggested this!

Good luck with the GP and keep us posted

Hurdity x

[Suzi Q]

rEAD ON HERE AND DO  NOT STOP OVESTIN DO 3 TIMES A WEEK MAYBE 4
YOU WONT HARM YOURSELF WATCH SEE NHOW IT FEELS SOMETIMES IT IS TRIAL AND ERROR
THANKS AB OUT KNOWING ABOUT Atrophy tell you what i wish i dint xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Tingly]

I have had v a for ages. Doctor 1 doubled my hormones...i begged for vagifem , wouldnt give it me...said to wait 8 weeks

Doctor 2,private doc gave me ovestin cream...helped a lot but then no further improvement

Specialist last night gave me vagifem, bladder has eased up today for first time in ages, so have got my fingers crossed.

My two penneth worth is to beg them to try vagifem first....i could jave tried it back in may if someone would prescribe it, and who knows, i might have not had to suffer like i have

Wishing you all the luck in the world for some relief


Luv tingly
Xxxx

[ancient runner]

Thanks Tingly -- I was wondering about Vagifem too. I will ask GP but fear I have to come off the ovestin before I go and see him to "prove" what the problem is. At our surgery they seem faintly surprised that this could be a long term problem and they're usually pretty on the ball.
I brought forward the Ovestin by a night and have had a good day so am fairly convinced myself..

[Suzi Q]

Hard for me to get the drynss with periods as i didnt go dry till about 8mnths after my last period
Dont ask just demand print out Vagifem and take it with you
Say its affecting your marriage
Plys husband is turned off by Cream its amazing how well that works if you have a MALE GP

[ancient runner]

Thanks Stellajane and Suzi.  I think I'm going to leave it off for a few days only (then it'll be clear what is or isn't causing the problem), and then ask for vagifem or estring to see if they're better for me than ovestin. I won't need to lay it on thick with the GP-- I went for a swim last week as I was feeling so good and ended up with four of five days of pain, itching and misery. And that can't be right, can it?
Good point about men and cream and male GPs, but  trouble is I can't face sex at the moment. My bits seem to be disappearing and I don't quite know how to deal with that myself let alone share it...