Intimate examination required for HRT

[Jubbly2841]

I’ve been on hrt for a while. I’m prescribed patches and pesserys for vaginal dryness. Today I had a hrt review with a nurse instead of the gp, and she asked me why I had been prescribed the pesserys. I explained I was dry and sensitive and she said she would need to examine me before she could prescribe them.

I queried this and told her she would not be able to tell if I was dry or not, and she was insistent that she could not prescribe them without an examination because I could have a particular skin condition that she needs to rule out. I left without my prescription feeling very upset. I’m not willing to be examined for a condition I know I don’t have and it was made clear no examination, no pessaries.

AIBU to complain?

The nurse had a quick look at my vulva before giving me oestrogen pessaries because the symptoms I described (general itching etc) could gave been due to a lichen infection. It wasn't and I got the meds.

I think the nurse was just being thorough, OP.

So yes, you will be unreasonable if you complain. She told you why but you know better, apparently.

Then booking another appointment with a GP. Perhaps the same one who has already examined her once should be the next step. Would you agree?
Perhaps the nurse (non prescriber) should have offered this as an option.

I think if a man went and complained of pain or itching around his penis then he would need to be examined too.

This isn’t a sex issue, it’s someone doing their job properly.

You’d be amazed some of the things people try to send photos of!!

I always enjoy when they have carefully staged the child to show the body part/ skin bit really well but forgotten about the background!! Usually a waving child or tormented cat etc

Yeah absolutely can rebook in, although if symptoms have changed etc they may want to examine too

This happened to my aunty who has since passed away from vulval cancer. I agree that it’s better to be examined. I would however want to be prepared prior that this was going to happen.

So yes, you will be unreasonable if you complain. She told you why but you know better, apparently

Read threads properly before you comment. I’ve already been examined by a go.

OP, was the last time you have physical examination when you were diagnosed with vaginal atrophy? Your post wasn’t clear as to when you were examined by your GP.

I was examined by the gp around a year ago, and again by a woman’s health physio around 6 months ago because I had issues around urine urgency. Both said I have vaginal atrophy.

I do understand the concerns around litchen sclerosis but I don’t have it. Vaginal atrophy is its own condition that needs treatment. I’ve been sexually assaulted previously and I find examinations really difficult. I shouldn’t have to prove I don’t have this condition three times a year.

OP I am sorry about your experience which makes this much harder for you.
You didn’t make clear in your first post that you had been examined and diagnosed 6 and 12 months ago, you just said you had been on HRT for ‘a while’. I was assuming a few years. I think you may have had different responses if that had been stated originally.

@Marshatessa im so sorry that happened to your auntie. It’s a horrible cancer and often found very late with difficult treatment.