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[Felix]

Hello,

I'm 58 and have tried various forms of HRT in the past and struggled with all of them except for the evorel sequi which I first started out on back in 2017.

I'm now  struggling with hot flushes and sex is impossible due to the pain. I have an appointment at the menopause clinic at Conifer House in Hull soon and would like some advice please. My HRT experience has been:

Evorel Sequi - which was fine but I was advised to change to Conti due to my age.

Evorel Conti - started in June 2019.  Unfortunately, I had intermittent side effects with the Conti, these included joint pain in hands and feet, a feeling of having a raw mouth, feeling tired, painful boobs. So I stooped this in Sept 2019.

Around Dec 2019 I noticed I was sweating , feeling anxious and sex was painful so I went to my GP in Jan 2020 and was prescribed Vagifem. I can't remember how I got on with this but I think it caused my boobs to ache.

Late Jan 2020 I had an appointment at the menopause clinic again and was advised to try Intrarosa. I can't remember how I got on with these then but in April 2020 I started with Estradiol gel daily and Utrogestan tablets days 15 - 26. However, I could not get on with the utrogestan and I concluded I must be progesterone intolerant. I felt awful, very tired, unhappy/no joy and emotional.

In June I tried taking 2x Utrogestan tablets  vaginally on days 15-26 to see if that resulted in fewer side effects - it didn't and I was having short but very very heavy periods.

I then tried taking 1 tablet of Utrogestan every night but this resulted in me feeling very low, critical & achy joints.

In October 2020, due to the side effect I was having I decided come of HRT and stopped the utrogestan and started cutting back on the Estradoil. Cutting back on the Estradoil caused me to have silent migraines. By the end of October I was off all HRT.

In January 2021 I Was really struggling with painful sex and the menopause clinic prescribed Intarosa tablets again, however I found that after about 9 days of intrarosa I was moody and critical and unhappy so I stopped them.

I am now not taking any HRT but I'm really struggling with painful sex which makes it impossible and also struggling to hold my urine sometimes. I tried Vagisan cream the before sex but this gave me discharge and sex was still very painful.

I have an appoint with the menopause clinic soon  and I'm wondering what I should ask to try. The intrarosa caused me to feel unhappy and moody, there must be something in Intrarosa that doesn't agree with me.

I'm wondering if I should ask to try Vagifem again?

Any help or advice would be very gratefully received.

Thank you,

Felix

[CLKD]

The menopause clinic seems to be fixated on one product    - I would ask for 'ovestin' - similar to 'vagifem' in that 1 uses it for 2 weeks+ until the vaginal area is comfortable.  U can get this from your GP if the Clinic seem reluctant.  'vagifem' is I think inserted in pellet form ? where as 'ovestin' is in a measured amount by applicator.

The important thing is to find something that works which can be Trial and Error.  Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads on the Forum.  Make notes ;-).  Some find that using 'sylc' or 'yes' moisturisers helps too.  Or putting a small amount of 'ovestin' in the outer labia to ease dryness.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out  ........ and muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Oh the Joys 

'vagisan' won't replace oestrogen.  Despite what you see on the TV  .  4 me it was like razor blades  up there, due to thinning tissues internally, itchiness: VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well!  If I get the nipping I take 2 Nurofen capsules 3 times a day for 3 days to help relax the spincter.

Let us know how you get on!

[CLKD]

I don't know ouwt about HRT - sorry 

[Postmeno3]

What a journey you've had already!!!!! I'll be interested to hear if Intrarosa helps you this time around, maybe with a longer trial? I'm very interested in that myself. Keep us posted.

[suzysunday]

I think you should try ovestin.  It will take a while but hopefully should help with the painful sex.  It could be months, it's a slow process.  As for systemic hrt, like clkd, I am no help.  I just use ovestin for the last 3 years.  I hope you can get something to work for you.   It's awful feeling crap all the time. 

[Felix]

Thank you

Yes, I can identify with the razor blade feeling and yes, it's been a hell of a journey. Every time I've seen the specialist I feel hopeful and then my body just reacts to what they have prescribed. It really is very individual and has taught me how different our bodies are.

What a journey you've had already!!!!! I'll be interested to hear if Intrarosa helps you this time around, maybe with a longer trial? I'm very interested in that myself. Keep us posted.

The Intrarosa was heralded by the clinic as a good option but something in it made me very moody and unhappy - I don't know how it differs from Vagifem. However, it might work for you - it's all so individualistic.

Is the ovestin the same ingredients as Vagifem in a cream version? I like the idea of being able to rub a little into the outer labia to help with dryness.

Also I've seen on a previous thread info about IMVAGGIS - does anyone have any thoughts on that please?
ThankS

[Chrissyjo]

There is a lubricant that’s quite good it’s called Wildfire, I used to work in an adult store and we sold it. It comes in three different colours. The red one is made specifically for menopausal women. I used it a few years ago when I worked there but I want struggling with painful sex then. I was given a sample to try but I really liked it because it didn’t dry out like some do.
I had forgotten about it since it was so long ago but I found the bottle in my cupboard the other day and remembered 
I don’t know if regular shops stock it or just adult stores but if you google wildfire red lube you will find it

[suzysunday]

Yes ovestin is estriol cream and it's good for internal and external use.  When I had those painful cuts from atrophy it was great to use.   

[Felix]

Thank you for all the advice.

I'm going to ask the clinic about the Ovestin as I like the idea of a cream. Is it the same strength as Vagifem?

I'm just wondering if anyone knows about Imvaggis?

Also I don't know why I felt moody and angry with the Intrarosa - is that a different hormone?

I get very lost with all the names and terms   

[CLKD]

I don't know about the strengths, you could look on line and compare the preparations?

[Felix]

Hi,

I've just had a telephone appointment with the Clinic and explained what has and hasn't worked in the past. The Dr was very helpful and, I felt, really listened to me. She recommended I try Imvaggis for the VA.

We also discussed my night sweats which have been getting worse the longer I've been off HRT. We talked about possibly trying Femseven (a patch)? as I couldn't get on with Evorel Conti. However, as there is a history of breast cancer in the family the Dr also said that some people benefit from taking  Fluoxetine 10mg to help with night sweats

I'm going to see where the Imvaggis (makes me think of Hagis  ) takes me and if the night sweats get any worse or continue for a long time I might consider trying the Fluoxetine.

Thanks for all your help - I will feedback on the Imvaggis