Pelvic floor exercises

You def need to investigate further. If, as a gransnetter, you are over 40, have your oestrogen levels checked. Local oestrogen applied in the form of a cream (ovestin), a gel, a pessary (vagifem) or silicone internal ring (eString) is highly likely to sort the problem out. Some people are highly allergic to the cream, though - although it’s relatively rare.
To detailed to go on here, but this should be the first port of call and is very highly likely to fix the problem within a few weeks. The oestrogen remains local and does not circulate in the blood stream, so it is not HRT as we normally think of it.

Kimski44

You def need to investigate further. If, as a gransnetter, you are over 40, have your oestrogen levels checked. Local oestrogen applied in the form of a cream (ovestin), a gel, a pessary (vagifem) or silicone internal ring (eString) is highly likely to sort the problem out. Some people are highly allergic to the cream, though - although it’s relatively rare.
To detailed to go on here, but this should be the first port of call and is very highly likely to fix the problem within a few weeks. The oestrogen remains local and does not circulate in the blood stream, so it is not HRT as we normally think of it.

I use Vagifem and HRT patches - also do pelvic floor exercises.
Try this app - if you live in England you can get it prescribed from your GP. As I live in Wales I had to pay £2.99 to download. Been using it for over a year now, it helps a lot, is a good reminder and explains how to do the exercises and has been helpful. website.https://squeezyapp.com

Vagifem pessaries twice a week and local oestrogen cream also twice a week on the external vulva works well for me. I’ve used Vagifem for 10 years and Ovestin cream for a few months now.

I found pelvic floor exercises does not help urgency. After trying 2 different tablets (which didn’t suit me) to stop urgency I’m now on something called Mirabegron and I have my life back - it’s wonderful

Forgot to say I’m also on vagifem which has taken away the soreness

Katcoffee

I found pelvic floor exercises does not help urgency. After trying 2 different tablets (which didn’t suit me) to stop urgency I’m now on something called Mirabegron and I have my life back - it’s wonderful

I have been on that tablet for years and it is definitely better, but I have started to struggle with burning on the outside. My urine test from the Lab. is clear. It is these white patches there is another thread about and I was prescribed a barrier cream because wearing a panty liner makes the burning worse, likewise I was prescribed a steroid cream for overnight together with a hormone cream for inside the vagina twice a week. This is all very soothing.

I haven't tried the probes but I do 6 sets of pelvic floor exercises every day as I have a prolapse and urethral irritation. I downloaded an app called 'Squeezy', it is recommended by the NHS, tells you how to do them and reminds you plus counts how long you should squeeze and relax. I've found it very helpful. My symptoms have improved along with using Ovestin cream. Hope you get some relief soon.

I don’t have problems MichD but use that app every day as a preventative measure, I’m sure it helped with my recent hacking cough, no leakage.

That's interesting, ExDancer. My bladder, or maybe my urethra, started behaving differently and my GP sent me for an ultrasound. However, while I was there, they decided to do an internal (I know - different plumbing), but as the young female doctor couldn't get very far, the tests were reported as inconclusive. No-one suggested using a "virgin" speculum, and no-one ultra-sounded lower down than the general abdomen. I gave up. There's been no change, but no pain, and no inconvenience. I just wanted to check that everything was ok. I guess I'll never know, but I don't think I'm alone.

I suffered years with UTI’s (a slightly different thing I know). No end of antibiotics. Since retirement DH and I started to have daily Berrocca in a pint glass, filled up.

I don’t think it’s just the vitamins (we’ve always taken those) - I think it’s the increased fluid, in particular water.

Anyway, only one, brief, episode of ‘the old trouble’ since.

It sounds to me more like a bladder infection, than weak muscles.

Grumbling low grade bladder infections make urgency much worse and I had my life made miserable for years. I was put on continuous low dose antibiotics but they quickly became ineffective as the bugs became resistant and I was running out of options until a friend who'd had the same problem told me that she'd been cured by taking the advice of an Italian doctor. He refused to use antibiotics but told his patients to take probiotics for women capsules and to eat yogurt and drink kefir. I've done this for months now , the infections have cleared up and the pain and urgency are far,far less and manageable. I'd tried pelvic exercises, also an electric stimulator system, all tn no avail.

Someone mentioned a barrier cream. There is an inexpensive one called Fifty:50.

I had this problem for years. Was given several courses of antibiotics but problem would reoccur almost as soon as I had finished them. Was about to be put on long term low dose antibiotics but wasn’t keen on this. Saw a trainee GP at my next appointment and surprised me by suggesting HRT. Didn’t think I had symptoms but he said it is a menopause symptom. Decided to give it a go. On a very low dose and had no problems for over 6 years now. Completely changed my life. Can’t believe the pain I was in before. My gynaecologist says I can stay on this forever. Just need to be aware of any changes.

Rosamunde, which exerciser did you buy.