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[MrsRoo]

Hi All,
I hope you’re all managing ok at the moment.

I posted a couple of weeks ago for advice regarding my vaginal atrophy. I’ve been diagnosed with this and was initially given vagifem, which I’m not sure really helped and caused migraines and hair loss. So I’ve been using Ovestin since September. I initially did a one week daily load then twice weekly thereafter as advised by my GP and the symptoms were fine up until about three weeks ago. I’m back to burning, soreness, itching, constantly feeling like I need to pee blah blah.

As advised on here, I’ve been doing another load for two weeks (started on 2nd Feb). The Ovestin leaflet says you can use it daily for up to 4 weeks then one to three times a week. After two weeks I’m feeling no better at all. At the weekend I thought it had gone but it’s back with a vengeance yesterday and today. I’ve tried to get a docs appointment but it’s very difficult to get one at the moment.

Has anyone got any advice they can offer at all please? I’m at my wits end. Is there such a thing as a foof removal operation? I’d have it tomorrow!

Many thanks,

Roo xx

[CLKD]

Yep.  Use 1 dose now and another as late as possible this evening.  Sometimes I have to put an extra dose up there, plus taking 2 'nurofen' capsules 3 times a day.

Also, smear a little of the product around the external vaginal area and perineum.  Keeping the area moist and supple stops it drying out.  If necessary you can use 'ovestin' every night for as long as possible.

[MrsRoo]

Thank you CLKD. I have been rubbing the cream around the vulva but it just seems to be getting worse, not better. I wish I could take nurofen but I’ve had a stomach ulcer due to NSAIDs in the past and my stomach can’t tolerate them.

[Amazing grace]

Hi MrsRoo, I'm in exactly the same situation as you, and it's absolutely miserable so I feel for you, I so wish I could be one of those women who uses vagifem or ovestin with success but sadly not, I used vagifem last summer for 4 months, but it caused migraine, stomach pains, and made all my symptoms hundred times worse itching, swelling, burning to unbelievable levels and my bladder got so bad I felt depressed, I stopped used nothing and felt better, but all original symptoms came back, so gp gave me ovestin and same thing happened so I stopped again, some people can be sensitive to the fillers so increasing could make your symptoms worse, I would tell your doctor difficult I know to get appointments right now, but it would be wise to consult gp, there is a weaker cream a 0.01% instead of the 1% ovestin, there is also a ring that lasts 3 months and doesn't have the fillers so might be worth a try, my gp put me on amitriptyline 10mg at night and things have improved for me but not cured, I'm going to try the ring when I get to speak to gp, it's by far the worst of menopause symptoms it's all consuming because you can't get your mind off it, I hope you find relief with maybe one of the other options, good luck.

[CLKD]

VA is caused due to a loss of oestrogen hence the 'ring' idea.

Let us know how you get on.

[sorbet]

You have my sympathy and understanding.
I’ve done another Vagifem loading for weeks, now I’ve been trying Ovestin for 2 weeks every night and Vagisan during the day . It’s horrendous, it has small windows of being okay and I think thank goodness it’s okay and it’s getting oestrogen, then it’s back. I’m always then worrying is it VA , or thrush, or a UTI. It’s never ending, I asked GP if I could try HRT, she said not at 60 , no .
Wishing you well.

[CLKD]

Your GP is not up2date!

Sorbet : Ask her for a referral to a menopause clinic, not a gynaecologist but a dedicated specialist in menopause. It might focus her mind a bit!

Keep up with a regime that eases symptoms, if necessary add a dose mid-afternoon as well as the evening. 

[sorbet]

Thank you CLKD , I’ll ask her , she said you’re post menopausal so starting HRT will make the symptoms worse, put you back into sweats etc .
I’ll try an afternoon dose too , honestly it’s debilitating isn’t it.
I would like to see a menopause specialist as pretty positive I’ve got prolapses . Hard to get a urine flow going and everything is worse if constipated. The joys of getting older , so hard when you’re still feeling like a 40 year old in your head .
Hope you’re well. Sending hugs 🤗

[CLKD]

Tell your GP that you want Quality of Life and if that means HRT/VA treatment etc., it's important to be supported.  Also ask where she got the idea that after our last period, symptoms will be worse on HRT - usually it's a loss of oestrogen that causes problems  .  Get a referral to a menopause clinic ASAP as there are waiting lists, if symptoms improve in the month prior to the appt., you can cancel. 

Your Practice Nurse who does smear tests can tell if there's a prolapse.  VA however, can cause similar feelings!  4 me it was like razor blades  up there with the need2P a lot.  Using 'nurofen' regularly eased the latter. 

[Lyncola]

Another thing to consider is inserting both Vagifem and Ovestin, different nights of course. It was a game changer for me. I was first on Ovestin it worked then I started having to do reloads all the time. So then I change to Vagifem same problem, after doing 6 reloads in one year I decided to use both. I’m lucky to be blessed with a doctor who lets me do this and as often as I need.
My current routine is
Night I- Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally
Night 2- Ovestin internally
Night 3- Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally
Night 4- nothing
Then I repeat all over again, I’m now 95%-100% better, I do get the odd day were i might be 60% better, but I do nothing it’s usually over in 1 to 2 days then Im back to normal. I also couldn’t survive without my external moisturiser, I use Yes VM in the morning and afternoon and Olive and Bee at night. It might be worth a try

[CLKD]

   Lincoln

[pepperminty]

Hi,
 There is a thread called the burning club, you could look up.
There are 2 things to deal with- the skin on the outside and the soreness on the inside.

I would deal with getting the outside as healthy as possible first maybe. The weaker
ESTRIOL 0.01% w/w Cream

GYNEST 0.01% w/w Cream

can be applied externally - start with a pea sized amount every other day and see how the skin reacts, then add a tiny bit more as the skin gets used to it. It will take 6 months of regular application to improve the skin texture.

If there is dermatitis of any kind 1% hydrcortisone ointment ( not cream) can be applied  - or a stronger one may be needed for 3 weeks only to settle the skin. Opposite ends of the day to the estrogen cream.

Once the outside is under control, try using it inside ( it comes with an applicator) . It is trial and error.

Or try YES  Vagina moisturiser = again see how you go , but it can be used nightly for 3 weeks to re balance the vaginal flora. This can work for some.

Go to a sexual health clinic , because they can diagnose BV and cytoltic vaginiosis or lactobacilli over growth which can cause  discomfort. ( the GP wont have a clue)

Make sure you have good bowel movements as this can aggravate the bladder.

See a good pelvic floor physio - the squeezy app has some .

Some ladies do not respond well to the stronger vaginal estrogens.

I hope the above helps a bit.

PMxx