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arlee
arlee

I'm 70 just had the big birthday. I feel however like 91.  My vaginal burning started 6 years ago. I used vagifem and eventually took elavil which really didn't agree with me. It took more than 4 months to feel decent. Unfortunately the burning came and went. I saw a new gyno when mine retired. He tried me on premarin and estragyn. Neither worked so I went back to vagifem. Finally I had some relief for about 8 months until the end of June when it started again. This time even worse. I saw anew young gyno and a urogyno as well. I was told that I'm extremely dry. And that my bladder is in decent. Not good news 

I've tried a number of different creams again to to avail - including estriol in a compounded formula. 

My last visit to the urogyno had me back on vagifem 3x weekly and replens (which didn't agree with me) so that's when I'm at right now. I have an appointment oct 17 - a ways away. 

I've been reading so much on line and that too can be confusing. Anyone else with a similar problem ?  Thanks

2 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

  • KKay
    KKay arlee

    Posted

    Sorry you are having a hard time. It is sadly very very very common and if you look through the messages on this site you will find many women with your exact complaint. 

    If vagifem helped at all, you can go up to five a week. Many women find that relief only came with increasing it to that dose. 

    There is a website based in the UK that is under the auspices of the British Menopause Society; it is called menopause matters dot co dot uk (menopausematters.co.uk) - on it you will find a whole forum on vaginal atrophy with many experiences women with sage advice. 

    Many women have also found relief from vaginal and bladder symptoms with a laser procedure called Mona Lisa. There are threads here on this site where women who have had it done share their experiences and also on menopause matters. 

    Good luck

     

  • Mondaliland
    Mondaliland arlee

    Posted

    Hey. 1. Do you have hypersensitivity to lactobacilli acidophilus and estriol?

    2. you have malignant estrogen-dependent neoplasms, including mammary glands, uterus and vagina

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 Mondaliland

      Posted

      Marader

      I don't understand what you are asking Arlee.  Please advise.

      thank you

      wendy

  • Mondaliland
    Mondaliland arlee

    Posted

    Hey. 1. Do you have hypersensitivity to lactobacilli acidophilus and estriol?

    2. Do you have malignant estrogen-dependent neoplasms, including mammary glands, uterus and vagina?

  • susan556
    susan556 arlee

    Posted

    Arlee  im pm ing you private message 

    Sue 

  • sharPharmD
    sharPharmD arlee

    Posted

    You mentioned you have tried different vaginal Creams. Have they ever tried to put Elavil, Estrogen, Gabapentin in a vag cream or suppository for you? Contact a local compounding pharmacy and they should have some formulas they can suggest to your dr. 
    • arlee
      arlee sharPharmD

      Posted

      I have gabapentin ointment from compound pharmacy. It irritates me 

      I also have estriol in a mild compounded base - it irritates me as well. I could open my own pharmacy!

      I was thinking of trying organic virgin coconut oil but  I'm scared it won't agree with me either.  This is the worst 

      I'm still using vagifem 3x week - not really helping  unfortunately 

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 arlee

      Posted

      Hi arlee

      it takes awhile for the Vagifem to kick in....Hang in there girl. My GYN started me with Estrace cream for 2 weeks then started the Vagifem....really makes the difference.

      Wendy

    • arlee
      arlee wendy62425

      Posted

      My bad experience with dryness start d 6 years ago. I was prescribed different creams which didn't agree with me. Then I started using vagifem. It took 4 months to feel "normal".  Unfortunately the burning etc returned off and on 

      It was quiet for about 8 months then started with a vengeance this past June so once again I tried different hormonal creams as well as replens and compounded estriol.  Burned more. So again I'm on vagifem 3x weekly. I may have one good day out of the week   I think it should have worked by now. I just bought coconut oil but didn't use it yet.  I'm also seeing a urogyno because of a drop in my bladder  I'm a mess 

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 arlee

      Posted

      Hi Arlee

      have you been on Vagifem since June...3 x weekly?  It took me a few months to feel normal again......I hope you get there soon!  Please let us know what your urogyno doctor has to say....that may explain the discomfort and issues ....with the drop of your bladder.  I'm sure you are anxious to get some answers.  We shouldn't have to hunt and try to  find what releases us from this discomfort!  We need more studies for all of us ladies!

      I hope you have a nice day!🌺

      Wendy

    • arlee
      arlee wendy62425

      Posted

      Thanks Wendy. I've been using Vagifem 3x weekly since August 22. Before that there were all the other creams - maybe I didn't give them enough of a chance.  Vagifem is easy to use but I don't know if it's strong enough - I'm not thrilled to use any estrogen but need it for dry tissues. I agree with you 100% that more studies need to be done for vaginal atrophy  Just because it's not deadly, doesn't mean we need to suffer so much 

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 arlee

      Posted

      Hi Arlee🌷

      years ago Vagifem came in 20 or 25mg.  I have a dear friend from the U.K. that needs 5x weekly of the Vagifem 10mg.  We are all different.  Give the Vagifem more time.  Sometimes if I have discomfort near opening...outside I put a little of  Estrace cream there at night and feels better in the morning.

      i think if more doctors could feel what we feel there would be more studies.  When friends ask what does it feel like .....I tell them like we have constant UTI.......they then understand and have compassion.  All we want is to feel normal.  I am blessed that my husband is understanding......

      Wendy

    • arlee
      arlee wendy62425

      Posted

      I will give vagifem a little more time. I remember when it came in 25 mg dose. Guess it was too dangerous so it was discontinued. Does your friend in the U.K.  have any relief from using it 5x a week?  True that everyone is different and everyone uses different methods for dryness. My urogyno is a young female so of course she can't feel what I'm feeling.  As if a match is being lit. Not fun 

    • arlee
      arlee

      Posted

      Wendy wanted to ask you. Is it ok to use estrace and vagifem?
    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 arlee

      Posted

      As mentioned I used the Estrace internally for the first two weeks then start

      ed Vagifem.  I have used the Estrace on the outer area of vagina just every now and then.  No I have not used Estrace internally with  Vagifem at the same time. My friend is doing well now....it took awhile for her to start to feel normal..stress is not good with Atrophic Vaginitis we both agree.  She is using a cream called JULVA sold here in the states for Atrophic Vaginitis she seems to like.  You can google that.  A woman doctor developed it....can't remember her name but will be on the JULVA website.

      Wendy

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 arlee

      Posted

      hi Arlee

      I just sent you information however Patient UK I guess needs to moderate it  for some reason🙁. I hope they will put it on for you. Maybe we can private message each other.

      have a nice evening

      Wendy

       

    • KKay
      KKay arlee

      Posted

      It is OK to use Vagifem internally and Estrace externally at the same time. I have been specifically told this by a specialist in VA. The vagifem only works on the inside and wont do anything for the outer parts and there you need Estrace or Estriol or any other estrogen cream.

      Good luck

    • arlee
      arlee wendy62425

      Posted

      Thanks again Wendy. How can we pm ? I don't belong to any groups so New at this 

    • arlee
      arlee KKay

      Posted

      Thanks for the info. I do have a tube of Estriol so maybe I'll try that on alternate nights externally only.  It's trial and error - that's what my pharmacist told me. 

      I wish there was a group in my city but unfortunately not. It would be great to talk with others who have this "lovely" condition 

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 KKay

      Posted

      Hi KKay

      Thank you.....good to know.  I thought It would be okay as my doctor said to try Estrace on outer area if discomfort there and also to help with intimacy which has not been happening in over a year with my hubby sad.  

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