Vaginal Atrophy

What a relief to find this forum! I have felt so lost and stressed since my VA diagnosis. After 4 months of gynecologist appts and tests and antibiotics and nothing working, she sent me to a urologist claiming it must be IC. HE diagnosed the VA... I feel like my gynecologist completely failed me. And I've been going there for the last 3 years for bioidentical HR pellets. The HRT literally saved me from menopause symptoms so awful I was getting suicidal. Then the pellets changed my life. For the last 3 years I have never felt better - body, sex life, mind, everything improved. Then out of the blue literally -- one day totally fine, next day a UTI -- the VA symptoms just spiraled out of control. I have been miserable. Now on Estradiol vaginal tablets. I did the 2 weeks nightly, and also applying the Estradiol cream externally. After the 2 weeks, tried going to twice weekly, and all the horrible symptoms are back just as bad as before I started. UGH -- awful burning and cant stand to sit down, or wear underwear or pants...
LONG way of saying my question is whether anyone has stayed on the nightly dose for longer than the initial 2 weeks?

Llamedos13

My dr. prescribed vaginal estrogen cream to help with my recurrent UTI . I’ve used it every day for two weeks and am now to use it twice a week. I’m finding I have very tender and sore breasts. I am seriously thinking of stopping using the cream, not just because of the sore breasts but there are so many dire warnings of increase in heart disease, breast cancer, the list of other side effects seems long.Anyone on here given up? Or should I persevere?A dr. appointment to discuss this is four weeks away!

The estrogen crwammnis not systemic .....a years worth is the equivalent of around 2 doses of systemic hrt
I've had brwast cancer and my doctors are fine with me having it .

I was prescribed Vagirux which seems to work quite well and is easy to apply twice a week.

My dr. prescribed vaginal estrogen cream to help with my recurrent UTI . I’ve used it every day for two weeks and am now to use it twice a week. I’m finding I have very tender and sore breasts. I am seriously thinking of stopping using the cream, not just because of the sore breasts but there are so many dire warnings of increase in heart disease, breast cancer, the list of other side effects seems long.Anyone on here given up? Or should I persevere?A dr. appointment to discuss this is four weeks away!

@Rainbow24 - it’s unlikely, but, no harm in getting it checked out. If you take progesterone as well (if you still have a womb and are also on HRT - systemic HRT I mean) it may be an imbalance with the dosaging. Regular cervical smear tests can cause bleeding but I would definitely call a health professional just to be sure, and they can always examine your cervix.

I noticed a tiny amount of blood on the end of the applicator this evening after inserting my estradol 10 micrograms vaginal tablet. Is this normal? Have I hurt myself? Seriously feel like I may have. Now worried.

Can I just add another local oestrogen to the thread - eString. It’s a slightly weird silicone ring that’s inserted into your vag which supplements at 7.5 mcg / day which is higher than vagifem and more consistently reliable on dosing than oestriol (cream or gel). It will probably only be prescribed if Vagifem isn’t enough and/or you are allergic to the oestriol cream (and then it might be worth trying the gel formulation), mainly because it’s very expensive for the NHS and also some women find it difficult to insert and even more difficult to remove. It lasts three months and is the most effective product available.
Many urogynaecologists also recommend YES! vaginal moisturiser which comes in either a gel apply-yourself tube or insertable pre-measured tubes. It is a very good product, although expensive and easily available online.

I have VA/GSM and topical oestrogen has been a life changer/saver. The pain I was suffering was horrendous and unrelenting but it took a long time to be diagnosed correctly (years). My GPs treated me for UTIs for years despite urine dip tests being almost always negative. I was told that I had interstitial cystitis. Then I had a false bladder cancer scare after an ultrasound but cystoscopy was negative and I was finally referred to a gynaecologist who told me I have VA and prescribed topical oestrogen. In the 6 years since I started using topical oestrogen, I have had no UTIs or bladder symptoms.

I have been prescribed vagifem alternate nights plus daily ovestin cream for vulval area. I think that VA has also affected my episiotomy scar which is why I need the cream as well. I also buy (online from ebay) my own YES! WB (water based) and OB (oil based) moisturisers which I use once or twice a day, the WB first, followed by the OB. (The OB cannot be used internally but the WB can.) Some GPs will prescribe moisturiser but many won't. I also keep all chemicals and products (apart from the ones mentioned) well away from vulval area, only use water in shower twice a day and after bowel movement to clean myself. This keeps my VA mostly in check but I sometimes have to use paracetamol as well. It took a couple of months of using topical oestrogen before I got relief so you do need to persist and sometimes a flare up needs to be treated with another 14 day vagifem loading dose.

I have joined the Facebook Vaginal Atrophy group which has been wonderful for information, understanding and support. I also bought the (already mentioned) Jane Lewis 'Me and my Menopausal Vagina' book which was an absolute blessing for information and support. The group and the book have been, in my opinion, essential for my well being, especially as VA is a taboo subject for many people. It's also important to know that many GPs and medics know little and have little education and training about VA/GSM so you have to be your own best advocate and stay strong. This is also why the group and book have been essential for me.

I do hope that you're feeling better soon.

Please ignore the information regarding the side effects. These relate to full HRT and even then they are out dated. I recommend Ovestin. Honestly get yourself a prescription and you won't look back. You will feel comfortable and it will stop the UTIs. Good luck!

I use 'Yes' - on prescription. Works for me. Aged 73.

Like others. I use estradiol cream too ( was called Ovestin but they changed the name).
After you’ve completed the loading dose over the initial weeks, you should then start to notice an improvement but it can still take a few weeks. I need to use it every other day, with the OK from my GP. Lots of ladies get it but some don’t realise they have it and put up with it sadly, as it is something that isn’t really talked about.
It is used now for life as if you ever stop it, your symptoms will come back.
If you don’t get on with the cream, there are other oestrogen preperations that can be used instead that do the same job, so do let your GP know.

Stella14

I have Vagifem vaginal pesseries prescribed by the GP. I think I have been using them for about 20 years now. I also need to use a Vulva balm (which I buy from Amazon) . A year ago the itching and discomfort were giving me trouble again. I went back to the GP. He consulted with a Gynaecologist and I was advised I could double the dose (from the usual dose). Since it’s topical oestrogen, rather than systemic, it’s still a modest dose for the body. I’m mostly very comfortable now. Occasionally, I need to be more strict about using the Vulva balm.

Could you let me know which Vulva Balm you get, I have looked on Amazon but there are several.

You have my sympathies. I'm glad I'm a man!

I have an Estradiol vaginal ring. Just have to change it every 12 weeks. It's made such a difference.

Has anyone experienced night sweats after starting hormone pesseries for virginal atrophy. I am changing sheets three times a night. I am 73

There is a group on Facebook which you can join. There is also a book which you can download " My menopausal Vagina" ( I don't think you can get the paperback now unless second hand)
You should be able to get pessaries and Yes or similar on prescription
burning can be eased slightly by using those pretend ice cubes wrapped in a flannel

Some female Gps are ok whilst others are crap. unless female Drs have some personal knowledge they are hopeless. I've always found male GPs more sympathetic ( from smear tests to endometriosis to VA).

unfortunately there is no cure but there are ways to cope- join us on Facebook

I have Vagifem vaginal pesseries prescribed by the GP. I think I have been using them for about 20 years now. I also need to use a Vulva balm (which I buy from Amazon) . A year ago the itching and discomfort were giving me trouble again. I went back to the GP. He consulted with a Gynaecologist and I was advised I could double the dose (from the usual dose). Since it’s topical oestrogen, rather than systemic, it’s still a modest dose for the body. I’m mostly very comfortable now. Occasionally, I need to be more strict about using the Vulva balm.

It is horrible, I sympathise. I have it too plus a urethral prolapse. My gynaecologist prescribed Vagifem but I didn't find it helped. Then I joined a VA group on facebook and they were saying that the oestrogen cream is better particularly if your symptoms are mainly urinary from it. I now use that every 3 days and my symptoms are so much better, in between I use a moisturiser as well and most days I have no symptoms at all now.

I’ve got lichen sclerosis which means my vagina has atrophide, with the loss of my clitoris and vulval lips, despite surgery (twice) to trim back my perineum and using vaginal dilators to open me up, nothing has improved it, and I have to use creams daily to treat to the dozens of splits in my skin in that area. I am fortunate to have a supportive husband but frankly it’s a bl’’dy miserable situation

I have had several prescription creams for this non seed to work for me - Then I discovered Perrin "Creme Complete" It has Aloe Vera with vitamins & Antioxidants - I have to get it on line & its not cheap, But it works within seconds for me and no burning or itching - such a relief.

I’ve got VA, although it is now also called GSM - genitourinary symptoms of menopause. I have previously had oestrogen pos breast cancer in the past. My VA was unbearable and upsetting, so was finally prescribed Ovestin cream which helps. It’s a very upsetting condition particularly as I would like to date.

Vagifem amazing!!

Why isn’t there an edit button like on Mumsnet??

Yes, I should have added that I was also diagnosed with Lichens Sclerosis by the Gynae chap.

Don’t suffer in silence!!

If the Vagifem doesn’t resolve the symptoms entirely, then ask for a referral to a urinary gynae consultant.

The dermovate cream took less than a week to clear up the worst symptoms I had.

@Rainbow 22, I have a condition called Lichen Sclerosis, which has caused vaginal atrophy. I would suggest that you have ask for referral to a Dermatologist or a Gynaecologist for a definitive diagnosis of whatever it is. My gynaecologist referred me to a dermatologist because she suspected LS. It helped me a lot. Good luck.