To be absolutely furious at bloody incompetent GP?

[ItchDrivingMeInsane]

I am menopausal and have had itchy bits for about 6 months now. Tried absolutely everything and despite being on HRT thought I probably need a topical oestrogen gel.

It is driving me insane, I am sore and often bleed down there!

Went to see female GP, was examined and told atrophy present but she wanted me to try a hydrocortisone cream first as it may be dermatitis. I tried to argue a bit and say can you just give me the oestrogen cream to try but she said I’d need a referral to a gynaecologist. I tried to talk about NICE guidelines but she wasn’t having it. She made an appointment for two weeks later to see how steroid cream had worked.

That appointment was rescheduled as I was told she was going to be off sick so I had an appointment with a locum male doctor. I told him the steroid cream had slightly reduced the itching but it was still continuing. Again asked for oestrogen gel but he wanted to examine me again. I refused as said lady doctor had said atrophy was present (really didn’t want to get my bits out again!) at last appointment so surely that should be enough but he said she hadn’t put this in my notes.

He said he’d send a task for another appointment to be booked with her when she came back after sick leave.

That was 2 months ago. I was told that another appointment was not booked and I need to call in to get an appointment on the day on the two days a week that she works. Been trying that for a few weeks but all appointments are gone by the time I get through!

I honestly am fit to lose my shit tomorrow.

AIBU that I should have just been prescribed what my symptoms matched and according to NICE guidelines?

Push for a referral

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hormone-replacement-therapy-all.html

This. Just buy it and give it a go. Don't get yourself into a fury when it is easily resolved. If it's no good hopefully you will get that gynecology appt soon. Seriously with the NHS as it is at the moment you do have to take responsibility for your own health. Anything you get from the NHS is a bonus.

@ItchDrivingMeInsane did you not then read your online medical notes and question why vaginal atrophy hadn't been noted.
I have to say that with the NHS you get what you demand not what you deserve and you need to go in prepared and ready for anything.
You absolutely can buy this over the counter as other posters have stated ,why not do that in the interim whilst you wait for another appointment annoying as that is.
The steroid cream is used in small amounts , I have all the creams you can buy both prescribed and other things I've tried , the ovestin is available as part of your HRT pre paid prescription as are the vagirux pessaries , I know exactly what youre experiencing I've waited 13 months to see the gynae dermatologist, ive been to the sexual health clinic in desperation , only now with amitriptyline and ovestin and the steroid cream occasionally am i a bit more comfortable.

I second just buying it from Superdrug - you do it online and it gets signed off by one of their doctors. You need to be 45 or over.

I really don't get why they are gatekeeping the cream so hard - it's very low risk compared to systemic HRT and even suitable for those who can't have systemic HRT due to family history of hormone-driven cancers etc.

It is reasonable for a doctor to want to do an examination before prescribing as they are personally liable should anything go wrong or be missed.

I’m sorry about your experiences with CSA and, gently, we are all expected to let a doctor examine whatever they need to make a diagnosis.

I would be more concerned if the locum was happy to prescribe on your say so without investigating.

@ItchDrivingMeInsane this!

I'm just here to give you a big hug, from one menopausal woman to another. I'm hoping by the time my daughters get to this stage of life things aren't so fucking hard.

I would be more concerned if the locum was happy to prescribe on your say so without investigating.

Yet that is exactly how it works if you order from Superdrug. If a woman is circa 50 and having those symptoms it's fairly obvious what's going on - no need to peer at her genitalia.

A nurse at our surgery prescribed this for me. Seems strange you have to see a gynaecologist. Are you in UK?

What online medical notes? How do you access those?

Try an online pharmacy where you can get this directly. It is not OTC but pharmacy can prescribe it.

Gina vaginal estrogen used to be avaliable over the counter

https://www.balance-menopause.com/news/gina-vaginal-estrogen-available-over-the-counter-what-you-need-to-know/

I agree with the others that you should try online. It is likely to be a form that a doctor checks and then they will send it out to you. Most of them offer next day delivery.

Absolutely not being unreasonable.

It's a lack of training in menopause for GP's that is the problem. The lack of basic knowledge I have encountered beggars belief. The Nice guidelines state that HRT should be prescribed by symptoms. It's totally obvious that as a menopausal woman the symptoms are vaginal atrophy and if by some miracle they weren't it would do you no harm anyway. My menopause specialist prescribes it for everyone to prevent atrophy increasing to symptomatic levels. I was lucky enough to be referred to the specialist because my GP ' doesn't understand HRT'. Jesus wept!

This. You knew what you wanted but the GP who is medically trained had another opinion.

Start an official complaint . There are several failures that need addressing . Please complaint

Would topical HRT make much difference if you are already on HRT?

YES!!!! It makes a massive difference.

Absolutely complain, @ItchDrivingMeInsane it makes me livid that so many of us are being fobbed off by GPs who haven't got a clue about menopause. Steroid cream for vaginal atrophy?? What makes me even more angry is that they haven't the self-awareness to realise what they don't know and have the decency to realise that actually, their 20 minutes training on menopause 30 years ago probably isn't enough, and to refer to a colleague with a specific interest in it. As for not being able to prescribe oestrogen cream without a referral to a gynae - wtf??

You can also buy Ovestin cream (estriol active ingredient) online if you are still getting fobbed off. I started using it in October and it's lifechanging. Every day for a fortnight, then twice a week. Now I'm using twice a week, a tube lasts me about 3 months.

Perhaps the first Dr didn’t quite agree with your diagnosis and wanted to try something different first, as she is accountable for her prescribing practice.

I believe Ovestin can be bought online at superdrug pharmacy once their Dr has approved it.

Probably because the GP doesn’t know what they are doing

I personally would make a complaint.

The first doctor diagnosed vaginal atrophy. Yet failed to prescribe oestrogen cream and instead gave the OP steroids.

Too right she should be "accountable for her prescribing practice".

You can also buy Hyalofemme over the counter, it's non hormonal, so no prescription required

I don’t think it’s unreasonable or incompetence that a Dr won’t prescribe before examining you first.
STD’s in over 50’s is not unheard of.

You can do an consultation with an online pharmacy, they can then prescribe the Overton.

I can go to Superdrug and buy Benilyn but if I go to the doctor with a cough they’re going to get the stethoscope out to examine me before making a diagnosis and prescribing. You go to the doctor for diagnosis.

It’s quite insulting to doctors to label a medical examination as ‘peering’ at genitalia. This type of thinking is why OP left without her prescription.