Vaginal Atrophy diagnosis

I use YES VM which is marvellous. I tried the Vagifem pessaries but they gave me thrush. You can buy vaginal applicators from Amazon. It is easy to get the Yes VM into the applicators as the neck of the Yes VM tube fits nicely into the applicator. Much cheaper this way.

I believe you can now buy Vagifem over the counter ,according to the news a while back

I don't think Vagifem was included in that, veejay.

veejay

I believe you can now buy Vagifem over the counter ,according to the news a while back

I believe it is a product called Gina, which is an oestrogen cream.

Thank you so much for your post, I had never heard of vaginal atrophy but had the same symptoms as others on the post. I went to my GP this morning was diagnosed with it and now can start the treatment. GN is such a useful way of gaining information.

I've been using Gina pessaries twice weekly since they became available OTC and it's no exaggeration to say they have changed my life. The dry itchiness and soreness when peeing are gone and, oh joy, bedroom frolics are once again possible. Hard to believe such a tiny amount of oestrogen can make such a huge difference.

I use the Yes oil based moisturiser. I found the water based one too liquid and messy.

Scribbles

I've been using Gina pessaries twice weekly since they became available OTC and it's no exaggeration to say they have changed my life. The dry itchiness and soreness when peeing are gone and, oh joy, bedroom frolics are once again possible. Hard to believe such a tiny amount of oestrogen can make such a huge difference.

I agree, they're very good, if a little pricey

I'm so pleased I started this thread, as I have learnt a lot from my fellow GN sufferers, and was chuffed to see that one member has gone to her GP and started treatment as a result.

It's not an easy subject to bring up with friends face to face so Gransnet is worth it's weight in gold. Thank you all.

Is 63 too late to start vagifem?

No, I don't think it is. You will need to see a doctor for a prescription.

Presses send too soon. It was prescribed for me in December it I came home and read the side effects leaflet and my anxiety kicked in so I didn’t start it. Recently it has become more uncomfortable so I just wondered whether anyone else has experience of starting at a later age.

Fiala

Presses send too soon. It was prescribed for me in December it I came home and read the side effects leaflet and my anxiety kicked in so I didn’t start it. Recently it has become more uncomfortable so I just wondered whether anyone else has experience of starting at a later age.

I got a prescription at 65. I think we need it more as we get older. It isn't all about your sex life. Amongst other things, VA can cause urine infections.

I also had anxiety about the side effects. I used the oestrogen cream once and ended up with a bad headache the day after. This might just have been a coincidence though. I do have occasional migraines. It was a few months ago. I might give it another go. I wondered if your body needs time to get used to it.

I am currently using Replens. I have been using it for about five years now. It is good if you can live with the white discharge.

I have also just bought some Yes VM cream to try instead of Replens. It is similar to Replens but it is organic and doesn't have any dodgy ingredients in it. I have read loads of reviews and it doesn't appear to cause the discharge like Replens does. I haven't used it yet. I will update when I have tried it.

I was diagnosed with VA when I had a prolapse several years ago. The consultant prescribed Ovestin (estriol cream). My main symptom is incontinence and this helps a lot.
Apparently it does not increase your cancer risk in the same way as ordinary HRT as it is both local and a small dosage. I highly recommend it.

Am so glad I opened GN this morning. Am 70 (just !) and only yesterday have been diagnosed with V.A. I’ve suffered with back/hip problems for a year now but also have urge to pee a lot over this time. Thought it was connected to back etc. and also thought I had uti’s. Of late been so very sore (and thought that was because of a stage 3 vag prolapse that no one now wants do anything with - another story). Went to gp yesterday in agony and been prescribed estriol every day for 4 weeks then tail it off. I’ve no one really to chat to about this so - brilliant GN folk - it was meant to be ! Thanks.

I wanted to revive this older thread from last year so that I could give a personal update - if anyone is interested.

I have vaginal dryness rather than vaginal atrophy.

I had tried oestrogen cream but it gave me migraine.

I had been using Replens for a few years but always struggled with the white papery discharge. I persevered with it as I thought it was my only option.

After doing some research, I decided to try Yes VM moisturiser. I bought it online from Superdrug. I have to say that, for me, it is far superior to Replens.

In hindsight and in comparison with Yes VM, the Replens seemed to have a negative effect, even though I thought at the time that it must be working. I was using it almost every day as I felt dry otherwise. I now wonder if the white papery discharge (which I had all the time) was acting like osmosis and drawing moisture away rather than providing it - IYSWIM. If you read reviews about Replens, the papery discharge is a common complaint. Replens say it is old cells being shed.

The Yes VM moisturiser does not come with an applicator but I used an old Replens one which works fine. I only use it once or twice a week and would recommend it.

I have been using estriol cream for two weeks. For the last two days my breasts , particularly the nipples, have been so tender that I cannot lie on my stomach and are causing me great discomfort. Have other grans had this? Does it fade?

I've just read this thread, and I am marking it with a picture, so I know where to start from if anyone replies.
I think I'm suffering from VA. I've ruled out cystitis because copious amounts of cranberry juice aren't helping, (and I've stopped the wine consumption too!).
Not quite bad enough to take to bed, but I'm visiting the loo every 15 minutes and the last few streams are enough to make me hit the ceiling. A bit of pelvic pain too.
Is this Replens stuff like a quick fix to tide me over?? I see I can get it in the pharmacie here in France. Do the Gina pessaries have a generic name?