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[Dierdre]

Hi everyone

I've been using this site for a few years now and thought it was time to pluck up the courage and join in.  I'm 61 and have been post menopausal for 8 years, my menopause was quite uneventful with the odd hot flush and heavy periods for a while, little did I know what was to follow!  Three years ago I started with atrophy and developed a prolapse, my GP gave me vagifem and referred me to a gynae. I've never been 100% comfortable and over the  last couple of years the dosage has been regularly  increased so i'm now taken a tablet everyday, ovestin for outside and YES lubricant.

Six months ago I was referred to a vulva specialist who thought I might have lichen sclerosus, told me to stop the vagifem and gave me strong steroid creams that made things worse than ever and after two weeks I had to stop using the creams as I was in a right mess and back to square one. I went back to the vagifem, ovestin and YES, and no I haven't got lichen sclerosus.

My GP then gave me Ultra Low Femoston Conti (been on this for 3 months) and for the first time in years I feel comfortable, even though I've probably had all the common side effects but they did take it in turns, a different one every couple of weeks until the last week when the PMT ended and the bleeding started and my first aura migraine, no pain just the flashing. Still taking vagifem, ovestin and wash in cetraben, I need all of it to be comfortable.

Went back to GP and discussed trying the patches as they are safer for over 60's, he's given me Femseven conti as the progesterone is the same as the one in Logynon contraceptive pill and that suited me years ago so fingers crossed...  I started them tonight, still bleeding but hopefully that will settle.  I'm still working full time, desk job and sat at the computer 8 hours every day which does not help at all.  This has to work as I'm not sure where I go from here?

Anyone with any advice please, is there anything more I can do?

Dierdre x

[Salad]

Hi Dierdre 

No advice really, other than it sounds like giving the patches a try is a good idea. Then probably try and stick with it for 2-3 months to give it a chance to work - balancing HRT is not easy.

 

[Dierdre]

Hi Salad

I will give it a few months and thanks for your welcome. The bleeding seems to be easing off now.  I've got a little red ring around the patch, I assume this is irritation and hope it's not going to be a problem. Anyone else get this please?

Dierdre x

[Hurdity]

Hi Deirdre

from me too!

I must say I never look at my patches (but have been using them for 11 years...) - I just give them a feel every now and then (eg in loo!) to make sure they are still stuck down. I did make it a rule from the start not to scratch ever as that could set up a reaction.  Also when you change the patch peel them off very slowly! I have quite sensitive skin and sometimes they do itch a bit - but I try and scratch away from the patch area if you see what I mean! Mine are oestrogen only so not sure if the combi ones may be more irritant? Perhaps it is just your skin acclimatising? Hopefully you won't be allergic to them!

I presume you are still taking the Vagifem etc as well since many of us need this as well as systemic HRT to feel comfortable? Make sure you get up regularly and walk about if you are sitting down all day - better for the eyes, blood circulation and concentration too!

I do hope the patches do the job and your VA problems ease.

Hurdity x

[Dierdre]

Hi Hurdity

Yes, I'm still using Vagifem and Ovestin for the outside bits every night, I do need all of it. The bleeding has stopped now, not sure if it's the change to Femseven or it may have stopped anyway, but actually while I was having the period the VA was better and for those few days I felt normal again, strange!

The skin around the patch isn't looking so sore today, good job or in a few weeks it would look like an outbreak of ringworm and it's still stuck like glue.. I'd put up with all of that anyway if this  works.

Deirdre x