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Menopause

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Original poster

Everything so dry

10 replies

jaynus · 21/09/2017 19:48

Help! I'm 44 and I'm assuming I am perimenopausal. My periods have been slightly irregular for the last year or so and have been more frequent. A couple of months ago I had a period that lasted for over 2 weeks, I went to see a gp about this. She prescribed me utovlan (I think) which was to bring my period to an end. I didn't end up taking the utovlan as period stopped before I got the medication.
Now since then, almost over night, everything has just dried up! Vagina, eyes and mouth. My eyes are red and stinging and I cannot wear my contact lenses any more. I'm waking up in the morning feeling like I've downed a bottle of vodka the night before. Dry mouth. It's like it's just happened so suddenly, I'm really just dried out. My periods appear to be back to normal and I'm not having hot sweats or any other symptoms. Can anyone suggest anything to help please? I wasn't ready for this it's just come out of the blue.

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 21/09/2017 22:44

Just briefly- you need to consider HRT especially as you are quite young for all of this. Read up on it and see your GP. Risks with HRT don't really kick in at all until age 50-ish- age of average menopause.

Original poster

jaynus · 22/09/2017 00:59

Thank you for this info. I saw my gp just last week, it was regarding the results of a scan as I have been having heavy periods, I have a gynaecologist appt booked now as a possible polyp was seen. I mentioned the dryness, she suggested a mirena coil! She seems to be pushing me towards this coil, I don't want one. She then said try Replens. I mentioned my eyes but she didn't actually say anything about that, I got the feeling I'd used up my time and she wanted me out. I think I'll book another appt after I've seen the gynaecologist.

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 22/09/2017 08:58

The Mirena will control heavy periods but if you are also suffering from loss of estrogen, you would need to use estrogen too or your symptoms would get worse. Replens 'coats' the vaginal walls, but it doesn't change the underlying issues which can result in atrophy which is hard to reverse once it's gone too far. (You aren't there yet by any means but after many years it can be harder to treat.)

BTW, YES lube has been shown in trials to be far better than Replens or other brands- top gynae N Panay did a research paper on this.

Original poster

jaynus · 22/09/2017 22:12

I really don't want the coil fitted. I did a quick google earlier and I saw sites saying hrt can make dry eyes even worse. And then today I ache especially my arms, and for the first time, I think my pelvic floor has given up, I leaked a small bit of urine while doing a light exercise. I feel just awful, like life as I've known it is over. I'm so not ready for this, it's really upsetting.
Do you think I sound like I only need oestrogen, or progesterone too? Are there different types of hrt? What a minefield it all is! And thank you for your advice.

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 23/09/2017 08:37

You need vaginal estrogen for the dry bits and the leaking (as well as doing your PF exercises.)

You can't have just estrogen as HRT unless you've had a hysterectomy.

Have a good read of the website Menopause Matters. Look at stages of meno, HRT (under Treatments) etc.

Don't get stressed- help is out there!

Emerald13 · 23/09/2017 16:51

I had all these symptoms too, very severe. I m 42, I feel that everything is different in my life now. I am on hrt, 2mg estradiol 0,5 norgestel and it helps a lot. It's the only thing that relieves the symptoms almost completely. I think that in younger ages the symptoms are worse. I terrified too, it was so suddenly and I was not informed at all! Take care 😘

Original poster

jaynus · 02/10/2017 18:14

Well I've been to see the gp. She doesn't think it's menopause as I'm not having the hot flushes. And she said dry eyes and mouth are not common symptoms. I've now got eye drops (with preservatives in, I was hoping for preservative free) and have been told to see an optician regarding my eyes. As I'm under 45 she's ordered blood tests to check thyroid and lsh. She said the tests aren't great but if they come back normal then it must be something else. I'm feeling very disheartened. Maybe I should try a different gp next time.

OP posts:

Original poster

jaynus · 02/10/2017 18:29

Oops I meant thyroid and Fsh tests. I've just googled this test and it says it's best done on day 3 of your cycle if you're still having periods. My gp never said when to have it done. I feel like I'm having to find everything out myself, surely a gp should know these things. Looks like I'm going to have a hard time getting hrt.

OP posts:

Original poster

jaynus · 04/10/2017 08:06

Emerald did you have any tests before you were given hrt? How can I prove that it's my hormones causing all my symptoms. Feel like gp is dismissing my problems. Is this blood test worth going for?

OP posts:

PollyPerky · 04/10/2017 08:34

The stop - start periods and changing to your cycle are signs of peri menopause. THis could continue for some years. You may need HRT when and if it all gets worse. Your GP ought to treat vaginal dryness with estrogen creams or pessaries. If she refuses, ask for a referral to a gynae. There is absolutely no need to put up with crap treatment from useless GPs who don't seem to know what they are doing.

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