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[Baz]

Hi I'm new here. Just wanted to ask are there any hope of having estrogen or something similar to help bone. I had a full hysterectomy in 2009, I managed quite well as regarding hot flushes etc, I'm now 67 and the flushes have come back, plus joint pains, i have slight arthritis in my hip, i walk a lot and eat healthy, I've been given estrodil cream to help with dryness and pelvic floor muscle, I've tried other tablets but they dont seem to work like fish oil, glucosamine etc. Can doctors give anything to help bones.

[Taz2]

Hi Baz. Welcome!

I think there are others on here who have been prescribed HRT over 60 for the first time. Patch or gel are the types which are safest at your age and the good news is that you won't need a progesterone as you have no womb to protect.

When you see your GP stress the symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness as HRT is not usually prescribed purely for bone protection. Gather as much info from this site as you can. I'm the same age as you and I'm still on HRT. It makes such a difference to my life and is especially helpful for pelvic floor health. I use vagifem as well as full HRT

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Taz x 

[Baz]

Thanks Taz,
I was on vagifem for a number of years, although it helped with dryness it didn't help with incontinence, I was referred to the oncologist, I got checked over with bladder etc, all was fine, he suggested using estrodil cream everyday for 2 weeks which helped greatly, but after that was told to use it twice a week, and it didn't help, I bought a kegel machine, it took a while before I notice any changes  but not cured it, I've been referred back to the hospital to see if I can have botox. Alot of the time is when I'm out walking the dog I leak no warning. But I will ask my gp whose is brillant and ask if I can have patches just to keep me topped up. I was told years ago I couldn't, but I've read things have changed is that right.

[Taz2]

Have you been referred to a continence specialist team? They are great at diagnosing what the actual problem is using bio feedback. Do you know if you have a prolapse or just weakness? I had a bladder prolapse which was repaired 7 years ago at the same time as my hysterectomy for uterine prolapse and this is now beginning to fail. My pelvic floor is good thanks to my tailored exercise programme but the bladder is still not good. I was discouraged from using the kegel machine but I can't remember what the urinary specialist nurse explained to me about it.  My prolapses both happened when I was told I had to stop full HRT due to age. Thankfully I was put back on it!

Botox is a good treatment for sudden voiding problems I believe.

Taz x

[Joaniepat]

Baz, a pelvic floor physiotherapist might be able to help with the incontinence issue. Kegels may not be the answer. Your PF might be hypertonic, and therefore weak and 'tired', so unsupervised kegels could make things worse. Don't let them do anything invasive before trying PF physiotherapy.
JP x

[Taz2]

I agree with Joaniepat.

Taz   

[Baz]

Hi thanks for the info.
I was  checked over, had ultra scan etc,he said I hadn't got a prolapse, I've still got muscles, just need to strengthen them, which I was shown how to do, but it hasn't helped. The lady that spoke to me about pf mentioned not to rely on the kegel, because your brain is not working it out, your relying on the machine which is not good, you have to do it yourself, and get the brain to work, rather complicated, but it made sense, sort of lol. She said by doing this the muscle will strengthen, well they haven't, to me it's like a elastic that has lost its stretch. I will phone my drs tomorrow, hopefully will get something.

[Taz2]

It's good that you don't have a prolapse. How long have you been doing the daily exercises for? I found it took around three months to begin to show improvement. I found the quick 'winks' the most difficult to master. The longer pull and hold ones were easier. Also remembering to breathe at the same time was tricky 

Taz x

[Baz]

Hi Taz, I've been doing them since October last year with the kegel, then when I was told not to rely on it, I started around March, on and off, a day with and then doing them myself, hasnt made a great difference. I do forget, my fault. I got a call from drs today, so will mention about hot flashes and joint aches, etc, see what she comes up with, she a great Dr so helpful and understanding compared to others. Will update later. 😀

[Baz]

Good news, my dr has agreed to start me on estrogen matches, just a lower dose to start with, should feel a difference within a week, so I'm pleased about that forgot to ask her the name, no doubt will find out when I collect it tomorrow, do you know if any patches at lower dose make you gain weight, I don't really want to put on any weight 😀

[Taz2]

That's good news! Hope you soon feel better. I didn't put on any weight with HRT - mine was because I ate too much chocolate and drank too much wine but I did blame it on the HRT 

How many pelvic floor exercises have you been given to do each day? You could set an alarm on your phone maybe to remind yourself to do them?

Taz x

[Baz]

Hi Taz. I was told 3 times a day, I will set a reminder on my phone, the dr said the patches should help with the bladder, it's not the urge, it's the stress, I walked the dog 3 miles today and only leaked a small teaspoon compared to a tablespoon, just some days are different. Your funny with your chocolate 🤣🤣