Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[PeanutbutterCup]

Hello everyone ,

I'm really hoping that some of you wonderful ladies can offer me some advice so here goes ...

I'm 47 years old, married with no kids. In November last year I had a urine infection confirmed by my GP. I was given antibiotics but after finishing the course was still left with a pressure like feeling of needing to wee all the time. I was given a further 2 courses of antibiotics but felt the same.

My GP advised she would need to refer me to Urology. Long story short I had a cystoscopy which showed that everything was all good - no issues.

Symptoms continued so I had many repeated visits to my GP. I suggested the issue could be hormonal and perhaps I was perimenopausal but my GP brushed this off. My cycle has been irregular for the past 2 years.

After 18 weeks of this pressure like feeling of needing to wee it eventually subsided only to return 9 weeks later, although nowhere near as bad.

I again returned to my GP. I've tracked my cycle for the past 2 years so gave this to her. I also explained that it was 71 days since my last cycle (I'm on day 82 now). I explained that my boobs feel sore and heavy and that I have some discomfort down below. In addition it looks like my "bits" are starting to shrivel up! I'd also taken 2 home FSH tests which were positive.

Despite all this my GP doubts I am perimenopausal however, she did prescribe Ovestin which I've been using for nearly 2 weeks. I've not noticed much of a change yet but I'm hopeful.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice and thoughts on all of this.

Thanks for reading x

[CLKD]

Were the urine samples sent to a Lab. by your GP to be 'grown'?  If not, it probably wasn't infection as such but vaginal atrophy.  Appropriate treatment used regularly will help.

I had relief from pessaries which were withdrawn  so now use Ovestin1g.  2 weeks loading followed by if necessary alternate nights, then a couple of times a week ...... every 4th and 7th nights on a rolling routine.  Some ladies find 'yes' products help alongside the VA treatment.

[PeanutbutterCup]

Thanks so much for replying!

Yes, my urine was sent to a lab and the very first time and the cultures confirmed a UTI. On the next few occasions when they sent the urine off to be cultured no infection was found. This is then when I asked if the issue could be hormonal.

I'm just so frustrated as my GP doesn't seemed to be clued up on menopause issues. I've clued myself up by reading so much on this forum which has taught me way more than my GP ever would/could! In fact it was because of info on this forum that I mentioned the Ovestin to her and it does seem to be making a bit of a difference.

I'll definitely look into the 'Yes' product you've mentioned and give it a go. Thanks so much for sharing x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to mm peanutbuttecup
I'm afraid your GP is not up to speed on treating the menopause.
You have presented him/her with very clear evidence that you are peri menopausal and should be they should be discussing appropriate hormone treatment with you.
You might do better with Vagifem for your urogenital atrophy, which is what you are suffering with, and if your oestrogen levels are low (your hormone levels should be tested ) then as you are going through an early meno you should probably be having hrt to protect your heart and bones for the long term.
I would ask for a referral to a gynaecologist or menopause clinic for specialist advice.
Read up all the factual Info on this site and print stuff off as well to show the GP.
DG x

[CLKD]

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, deep in the ears, nostrils, vagina ..... as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  It's The Change ....... her time will come ;-)

[AG]

Hi,

This sounds very much like peri menopause to me. I (48y) have consulted my GP surgery over the past few months regarding menopause and it is astonishing how many GPs "expect" women to go through this exactly at the average age of 51 years or something. Mine thinks I am too young but hormonal tests (FSH, Oestrogen) point to late peri for me (even though hormones can fluctuate during peri). Irregular periods in particular when they have been regular before should give any GP a hint to consider peri menopause as a cause. My symptoms picked up really earlier this year when I had a gap between periods of nearly 4 months, never had such a gap before. I learnt most of what was relevant for me for peri from this forum and some good books and talking to friends now in similar situations but not from GP surgery. I had dozens of symptoms I never had before in the past few months but luckily they seem to calm down now, and one thing that has helped me is a low dose of magnesium and regular exercise, and, sadly (I like coffee) cutting down heavily on caffeine intake. You may need to basically find what works for you to have a decent quality of life during this phase. I have so far not opted for HRT yet but keep it in mind as an option if I am mistaken about my symptoms calming down.

All the best, Anna

[CLKD]

The message to GPs isn't getting through then    .  Out of interest, what age groups do these GPs with no knowledge fall into or is it across the board?  I wonder too, whether they all went to the same Uni. to qualify 

[Toodle Pips]

 My GP is absolutely clueless about menopause. She is in her late 30s/early 40s and she is the reason I am now in the process of changing to another surgery.

I am 54,have intermittent night sweats,insomnia and anxiety but because I have regular periods, more regular than they have ever been, which would say to me that something is changing, she refuses to accept that I am peri menopausal.

I hope the new doctor is better 

[PeanutbutterCup]

My GP appears to be in her mid 20's and is newly qualified. She gets annoyed when I suggest what could be the issue but because she seems to know very little about peri/menopause I haven't much choice but to seek advice from woman with experience like you all have and then give my GP some suggestions.

Last time I was there I kept thinking "your time will come & I hope you remember me when it does".

I ordered the Yes lubricant as suggested and it arrived today (paid extra for next day delivery I'm so desperate!). Excited to try it so thanks for the recommendation. I'll let you know how it goes.

I was just thinking this morning that in the past 24hrs I've been feeling so positive and I realised it's because of this forum. In all of you I feel like I've got someone to listen and know what this feels like. I'm blessed to have strong women around me like my Mum, sister & girlfriends but you don't want to burden them with your issues do you?

So thanks everyone. Thanks for being here and for the some great advice.

Peanut x