Posted , 12 users are following.
I started this thread and im still suffering months later. Its improved but not where i need to be. Had 4 mona lisa treatments, used premarin, estrace, estradiol, hylauronic acid. u ladies that use vagifem, is that the magic that makes this under control. any advice is appreciated tired of suffering. will go away but always seems to return.
0 likes, 52 replies
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Rhiannon_5000 Guest
Posted
I really feel for you. I'm the same. I use vagifem, but it hasn't been working, although it definately keeps me from getting uti's. I have been a bit more comfortable the last week, but it doesn't seem to last. Like i said to someone else on this thread, I'm not sure there's a cure all for this. It's a horrible condition.
wendy62425 Rhiannon_5000
Posted
Rhiannon........How long have you been using Vagifem? are you using 2x a week? Maybe you need to add to weekly. what did your doctor say? yes, unfortunately so far there is no cure for this....we just need to find what medication works to give us quality of life. It took several weeks for the VAGIFEM to work at first.
Rhiannon_5000 wendy62425
Posted
I've been using vagifem on and off for about 5 years. I think the atrophy gets worse as we get older. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Usually i use it twice, sometimes three times a week.
Dotsie Guest
Posted
I'm more than likely going to be paying for the nu-V procedure in the woman's clinic in Bristol in January. Amazing results.Have had a conversation with one the ladies on the phone..it's run by all women. I have been refered to a lady doctor who specialises in vaginal atrophy by my gp so i will go and have a chat but i think this procedure in Bristol...there are a few other clinics... will be my way forward. Will keep you updated. J
Tezes Guest
Posted
suki-girl
Hi i would be grateful for any advice you can offer, i was prescribed the eostrogen pessaries for vaginal atrophy after the menopause by a gynacologist they worked but as others have said it comes back when you stop using them. My problem is that i have terrible burning for a good 5-10 mins when ive used some of the over the counter non hormone products and ive tried a few incl replens, Ky and Boots chemist own brand gel.
wondering if anyone can recommend one that is known not to have this reaction .?
i havent tried Vagifem, Sylk or Balance Active....... any advice ?
many thanks
Suki_girl Tezes
Posted
Every over the counter or internet purchased product (sometimes purchased from abroad over the internet) either stung me or made me swell up too much. These are products that are supposed to moisturise the vagina. I tried YES VM, Replens, Sylk, Woohoo, Balance Active, Hyalofemme, Regelle, etc. I decided i must be allergic to something in the water based products and also react badly to hyaloronic acid. The only things my vagina could tolerate were natural oils - coconut oil, vit e oil, YES OB and Key E pessaries. I did manage with those for 2 years but eventually that wasnt enough (sex became painful) so i started with Ovestin (estrogen cream). Vagifem (estrogen pessaries also made me swell up so much i couldnt fit a finger in, nevermind a penis!
You can continue to experiment, like i did, and keep trying things. But if the estrogen pessaries worked, why stop using them?
Tezes Suki_girl
Posted
Hi, i stopped using vagifem as the gynae said they should only be used for three months. As you say its prob sensitivity to something in the product that causing the burning/pain. Sensilube gel dosent sting but it dosent have an internal applicater so its more for topical use. maybe i'll study the ingrediants of the sensilube and try to match them up with an internal gel, x
Suki_girl Tezes
Posted
on another forum on this subject we all concluded that, in the end, you have to opt for estrogen or suffer. Like i said, i use ovestin cream and in the patient leaflet it says: "Your doctor may want you to stop from time to time (every 2 to 3 months for a period of 4 weeks). This is to check if you still need treatment."
Well I have been using it for at least 6 months and my dr hasnt asked me to stop. Anyway, according what everyone on these forums says, as soon as you stop the symptoms come back.
wendy62425 Suki_girl
Posted
Yes Suki......you are so right. as mentioned on another blog i tried to just stretch the days from 2x a week to 1 and the discomfort started to come back...so I went back to 2x weekly and have been using VAGIFEM for 2 years now. my GYN said it will be lifelong. The estrogen is needed.......whether we like it or not.....its what we need to take away pain and to feel normal...........Thank you Suki for sharing.
Wendy
Rhiannon_5000 wendy62425
Posted
I'm the same. It must be 2 a week.even then i sometimes get symptoms, but good at the moment. I do worry about the safety of using it long term though, but i was getting dreadful urinary tract infections , and it stopped them. Thank goodness.
Suki_girl Rhiannon_5000
Posted
the risk is extremely minimal compared to systemic hrt
Rhiannon_5000 Suki_girl
Posted
Yep thats what my gp said.
olive8 Rhiannon_5000
Posted
that's what my GP said too. .
I went onto once a week estriol but found it was too long because I started the burning and stinging again and my night trips to bathroom five or six times so started the half dose twice a week again and as far as I am myself it helps me much more. It never goes completely but is less painful and the bathroom trips are twice. That's bad enough - the estriol cream has stopped the UTI's its been a while thank goodness but our bodies need the estriol cream or a kind estrogen cream nothing else helps us. Such a pest getting up time after time during the night I find myself checking the 'phone then reading something else and before I am back to bed I can be needing toilet again when it flares up.
Rhiannon_5000 olive8
Posted
Yes its so unpleasant . I get burning and pain all day when mine is bad. Also, I've had major bowel surgery because of diverticulitis, and an abcess was stuck to my bladder, so I've got discomfort from that with or without the vagifem, but not too bad now. I definitely cant do without it.
olive8 Rhiannon_5000
Posted
i really feel for you with both things my husband had diverticulitis and the abcess too he had to get a colostomy. HE's ok now too has to be careful at times. This atrophy is awful no matter what we try but for me, because everyone is different, the half tube twice a week is much better the once a week being too long between doses I thought. It's the repeatedly getting up during night that tires me out.
Hope you still on the right road
Rhiannon_5000 olive8
Posted
Thanks Olive , I am feeling much better. Had a bag for 3 months, but then had it reversed. It has been an awful year. Hoping that 2019 is better.