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[Katflowe]

Hi
I was on HRT (oestrogen gel and progesterone pills) for 6 weeks. Quite early on I began to have a heavy discharge. At my 6 week check the discharge was found to be not an infection and I was told to stop HRT. 3 weeks on and the yellow discharge is still there. I am totally fed up with it. We haven’t had sex in months now because of it.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how I could get rid of it?
Thanks

[joziel]

I don't understand, they told you to stop HRT because of a discharge which they couldn't diagnose or treat - and you're just supposed to stay off HRT because of it forevermore?? What about your menopausal symptoms....? I wouldn't accept that 

Estrogen can increase vaginal discharge, because it lubricates the vagina, makes it moist again and returns the ph to the slightly acidic Ph it should be. And yellow-ish discharge can be normal, for some women. I guess it depends whether you remember having it before, earlier in your life when you might have had more discharge?

Why is it stopping you from having sex, does it hurt or do you have other irritation or symptoms? Does it smell? Does it smell really acidic, like vinegar?

There are also different types of vaginitis. I've been reading up on this because I think I might have something like it. If you've been tested for thrush and BV and those tests are negative (as mine are), then it could be vaginitis - just from an overgrowth of normal bacteria for eg: https://www.webmd.com/women/cytolytic-vaginosis

Doctors can be a bit useless when it comes to diagnosing these more obscure things. I'd go back to your doctor and ask to re-start the HRT as there's no reason to stop it just because of some discharge they can't even diagnose. You could try the baking soda tip in the article above - I think the easiest is to get some vaginal syringe applicators and put the recommended douche in there and just use it in the shower. You could also try using some YES VM vaginal moisturiser 2x daily with the internal applicators - this is the right ph for the vagina and could help rebalance it. (Someone elsewhere recommended using Preseed vaginal lube and found that fixed it for them - but it has parabens in it, so no ways that's going up me!)

PS there are also other vaginitis-es - like DIV - desquamative something vaginitis - so do see the doctor again if the stuff you try doesn't help. If they appear to have no idea, ask for a referral to gynaecology.

[Joaniepat]

To take a simpler approach, a thin discharge is a common symptom of GSM (aka VA). In that case you need local oestrogen treatment such as Vagifem or Ovestin. (I would not advise douching with anything.) Alternatively, a referral to a vulva dermatologist or GUM specialist for diagnosis might be preferable to gynaecology, which could be a bit hit and miss.
Is there any soreness or inflammation, or is it just the discharge?
JP x

[Katflowe]

Thank you both for your helpful replies.
Yes - I agree that to come off HRT completely ignores the symptoms that I went on it for in the first place.
I didn’t have any discharge before. This is heavy enough that 3 pantry liners during the day and 1 at night, weren’t sufficient. I’m now using pads. It doesn’t smell. It’s not thin.  No sex due to the volume of it. We did try and have sex about 4 weeks ago (when it seemed ok) and I had a small bleed - i think my skin is quite dry there. No doubt contributed to by the constant pas wearing. It is a little sore.
I will ask to be referred to a vulva dermatologist xx

[Cara999]

This sounds like it could be the start of VA which you would need local estrogen. Hope you soon get sorted xx

[joziel]

Kat, bleeding during sex can be caused by vaginal atrophy, as the skin gets very dry and thin. Are you up to date on your smears? And have you had a pelvic exam when they took the swabs or did they just give you self-swabs to do? It might be good to have had someone have a look if they haven't.

Like Cara says, it can be due to vaginal atrophy although the quantity of it does sound like a lot. I think maybe ask to go back on HRT and also get some local vaginal estrogen daily up there. I don't think that will make anything it could possibly be any worse and the estrogen might help... and see if you can get a referral.

By the way, there is a great Facebook group called Vaginal Atrophy which has loads of women dealing with things like this (not just vaginal atrophy) so you might want to ask in there or search in that group. Also lots of private vulval dermatologist recommendations etc.

[Katflowe]

Thank you so so much for your help. I’d looked on Doctor Google for ages and could not figure out what to do.
I am up to date on my smear tests. I did do a self swab. When I saw my GP to get the result of the swab, he did an examination, but the amount of discharge  made it impossible to see anything (!)
I’m seeing him again on Friday and will ask for the local vaginal oestrogen and the referral.
I’ll let you know how I get on x

[joziel]

If you don't get anywhere with your GP and a referral, there is a private gynae in London who specialises in this - if you don't live nearby, you can see him by video and he can post you swabs to do at home for more complex things that most GPs don't know anything about. I found him on the Vaginal Atrophy FB group, recommended by several women there. He is: https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/people/mr-austin-ugwumadu/

He sees private patients too of course: https://www.doctify.com/uk/specialist/mr_austin_ugwumadu

People say he is also very nice and a lovely doctor too. Hope that helps if you need it!

[Katflowe]

Thanks for that. I’ve joined the VA Facebook group - which is so informative.