perimenopause

[claracloud9]

Hi, I am new to mum's net. I wondered if anyone could offer me any advice. I think I may be experiencing perimenopause. I have had vaginal dryness and itching for a three months or so. Then more recently I have had constant urge to urinate and burning in my urethra/bladder area. I have been very unwell with this over Christmas. The Dr has reported no infections after seeking their help on 3/4 occasions. On Christmas day I saw an emergency Dr as I was in such pain. This Dr prescribed oestrogen gel and said it could be my hormones, after four days I am starting to feel better. I have had other symptoms such as back ache, nausea, tingling in my arms and not being able to sleep. I also have a mirena coil which I want to get removed as I fear this may also be contributing to these symptoms. Can advise if these symptoms sound like perimenopause? Thank you

Id get checked out - it could wwll be peri me opause? How are your moods? Are you getting any hot flushes ar all?

I was told that with a mirena, if you have meno symptoms, you just need to add a patch or gel and adjust the dose to suit. It works as the progestogen part of hrt. It is far more flexible than other hrt. If you have been happy with it, then hang on to it! Most peoples' problems with hrt is the progestogen part of it.

You will need to replace the mirena more frequently and may also benefit from the addition topical oestrogen (vagifem or estriol cream) for the urogenital symptoms.

I agree with Whatevva.

Just want to check that the 'gel' your dr gave you is Oestrogel that you apply to your arms or legs- and not vaginal oestrogen? (Some drs confuse them and there have been posts here about it!)

As she has said, vaginal HRT (oestrogen cream) helps bladders etc usually better than using systemic HRT but many of us use both. You might like to ask for some vaginal oestrogen. It can take up to 6 months to see real improvement.

I will be watching this with interest. I am only 42 but think I may be menopausal. Same symptoms and he itching is horrendous. I can't sleep with it. I also have hot flushes quite a bit. I am usually very regular but not so much in the last 6 months and I am over a week late now, although I did get pmt at the 'right' time. I am going to see how it goes for a couple of months and then pop to the doctor if it continues.

Wait..what? There is a gel that helps with urine infections if on HRT? I have had 8 months of persistnet recurring urine infections and endless courses of anti biotics. I went on to HRT as I read it could help with urine infections ( am on Prempak) but here I am waiting for a call back from the GP again, (no appointments) as I'm in agony. Only finished last course of ABs about a week ago...
Should I be asking for oestrogen cream?

No- there are 2 products.

1 Oestrogel- this is pure oestrogen in the form of gel, applied to the body, and used as part of systemic HRT. If you use this then you also need a separate progestogen taken x number of days a month.

2 Ovestin cream or Vagifem pessary - these are used vaginally to help vaginal dryness/ atrophy, bladder frequency and to prevent infections due to atrophy of the urethra and bladder lining.

Evidently 1:4 women need both ( ie 1&2.)
If you main symptoms are bladder then the guidelines are start with (2) and see if it helps and go onto full HRT if you also have other issues.

This is in the new NICE menopause guideline but it's been standard practise for some years amongst drs who understand meno :)

watching.

Thank you so much for this info. I did have horrendous hot flushes too but it has been the vaginal atrophy and persistent during infections which have really brought me down.
I will make an appointment to go back and ask for a review!

Urine, not during!