Replens or increase Vagifem!

[Inforthelonghaul]

I’m 50 and post meno by a couple of years at least. Been having awful problems with itching and soreness, being too dry for sex and recently having enormous trouble holding in a wee enough to get to the toilet. Also noticed that my labia are looking a poor shadow of their former selves and almost as though they are shrinking and greying.

It took me ages to do it but I saw the GP and was given Vagifem to try. I’m not on any other HRT.

During the first two weeks it was great and started to feel more normal but as soon as I had to reduce the dosage to twice a week the itching etc came back really badly and I’m rubbing myself raw at night when I manage to sleep.

My GP refuses to prescribe more so I can use it more often (maybe every other day) and has insisted I try Replens 3 times a week.

Does anyone have any experience of this? I’m just not sure how a moisturiser is going to do much and I’m desperate to not be uncomfortable 24/7 and dread sex because I know it’s going to be sore. I can nearly stand to be touched down below at the moment. DH is trying to understand but doesn’t really and thinks I’ve just gone off sex. I showed him a bloody tissue the other day and now’s he’s put off because I have an old lady vagina.

My GP btw is a woman at least my age but clearly hasn’t suffered this or she would have been a whole lot nicer!

Increase Vagifem.

It's such a shame your GP is being like this. I don't think there is ever any guarantee that women drs have more empathy; my gynae is a man and is delightful.

Just to give you some info: until a couple of years ago, Vagifem was a 25mcg product (dose.) Now it's only 10mcg. This means all women are getting a lower dose, so many are having to use it more than 2 x a week.

There are women I have read about on other forums who use it 5 x a week or even daily to get relief.

The point of using vaginal estrogen is to manage the symptoms. If it's stopped or the dose is too low, symptoms will come back. This is why NICE and the BMS advise it's used as long as needed (till your are 90 if necessary- nothing to do with sex or no sex).

Replens is not hormonal so will not really help.
It can take 3-6 months to reverse quite bad VA so 2 weeks is really nothing.

I can only suggest you talk to your GP and perhaps mention the reduced dose now of Vagifem and hope she sees sense, or you see another GP or you ask her for a referral to a gynae, or you go to a private gynae who is a meno expert and will treat you properly.

@JinglingHellsBells I explained to her that the two weeks were great then in the subsequent weeks problems were re-emerging,I’d done lots of reading about VA and yes the dosage had been reduced and I’d like to try use it more often. She told me that unless I stuck to the instructions she would refuse to issue a prescription. When the current crisis is over I will be changing surgery and getting referred to a specialist because it is totally unacceptable that this go untreated and be something I’m expected to just put up with. If my DHs penis were shrivelling and causing him pain and discomfort I’m pretty sure it would be taken seriously.

@Inforthelonghaul She sounds terrible. There is no reason medically to refuse you.

Might be worth trying this specialist centre; they are doing consultations by phone so it's worth a shot. If you explain, they might agree to a phone consultation (obviously for a fee) and prescribe for you.

Dr Newson is very good but she also has other drs there.

www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

ps There are other very good meno specialists working privately and I could recommend my own, but not sure if they are working by phone with new patients. Depending on where you are, that would be London or the SW.

I think an NHS meno clinic would give a GP short shrift for sending a woman with something as simple to sort out as more vaginal estrogen. They are really there to help with much more serious and complicated issues. Not saying yours is trivial at all, but it's well within the remit of any GP to sort it if they are willing to help- she sounds like a dragon. Maybe she is out of her depth and can't 'risk' increasing the dose?

Does she know that 25% of women (incl me) use full HRT and vaginal estrogen, I wonder?

@JingleHellsBells thank you so much I’ll have a look. It’s ridiculous isn’t it, I’d never heard of vaginal atrophy before I looked into it. I actually feel very sad that forever women have been dealing with this and its brushed away like an insignificant thing but in many ways it’s been ruining my life for 18 months and I thought I was going a little bit mad.

Sorry @JinglingHellsBells didn’t check my typing.
Started Replens today and hoping it helps a little at least until I can see someone!

I cant believe she's stopped the Vagifem. Get an appt to see someone else in the Practise. I would also ask for some Ovestin cream. However you probably need to see a specialist to get the best results. I'm on some bio identical HRT which has been a complete game changer. This consists of taking a lozenge twice a day and some gel at night.Works alongside Vagifem a treat x

Onesipmore If that is a progesterone lozenge, it's compounded bio identical you are on, and afraid it's not licensed and there are risks it may not be effective at keeping the womb lining thin.

Sorry- but feel I do need to make the point because of other women reading who might wonder what you are taking.

There is a lot of this info online on both Menopause Matters and the website of Dr Louise Newson. (both menopause specialists.)

I've been on bio identical hrt for years from a very good menopause specialist but it's licensed , available in the NHS and does not include a lozenge.

I tried a vaginal cream for VA with not much effect. My GP suggested trying an Estring which has been marvellous and very convenient.
I tried without it for a month recently and noticed symptoms returning so GP said he is happy to prescribe indefinitely

my gp was concerned when i was using the vaginal cream 2 - 3 times a week, as i was only meant to use it twice. there is a link to developing thickening of the uterus lining again i believe.

@jinglebellshells, sorry what's the difference between compounded bio idenitical and bio identical HRT, isn't it the same thing?

@Onesipmore Here you are- dr explains it well. Basically I assume the sort you are on was given after blood or saliva samples were taken and the lozenge is not a licensed product. Gel, if it's Oestrogel in a white / blue pump is and I use it as do many other women getting it from a GP or a consultant.

wwwmenopausematters.blogspot.com/2017/01/bio-identicals.html

@myidentitymycrisis Did you know that using the cream for a whole year twice a week is the same dose as one hrt estrogen tablet of 1mg estrogen?

It is so weak it's not really possible to thicken the lining. This has been dismissed by specialists. It's only absorbed by the vaginal walls. Your GP is out of date .

And if a dr was worried, the easy treatment would be a short course of Norethisterone once a year to promote a bleed.

@JinglingHellsBells
Yes! Because I read it here, possibly even from you, but I agreed to go for an ultrasound to check out my lining as I was grateful for her concern and diligence.

Hi.Iv just been prescribed Vagifem pessaries and haven't started them yet.For pain and stinging and blood having intercourse.Could you tell me if these help please,and are there side effects??

Please don't 'look' for side effects, Just use it and hopefully it will work.
Worrying often creates negative experiences so try not to expect any. Good luck!

Thankyou.Im going to try them.I've nothing yo lose.This getting old shit isn't good lol

Have seen another GP as itching and discomfort wasn’t getting at better. First prescribed Ovestin cream to use externally and then as it hadn’t stopped the itching after 5 days I had to see the GP again and have an examination. She has now confirmed that as well as VA I have something called Lichen Sclerosis and have been given Dermovate steroid cream to use as well.

It all feels a bit overwhelming really but I’m so glad someone listened to me. I can confirm that Replens is awful and caused an awful discharge that is apparently dead skin cells sloughing off inside. I have now changed to Yes VM which is much better. I’m very much hoping that between the Vagifem, Ovestin and Dermovate I will be able to get my nether regions back to a comfortable and hopefully normalish state. Still nowhere near resuming a sex life but there’s hope now at least. I’d never heard of vaginal atrophy or Lichen Sclerosis before but wish I had as I would have sought treatment sooner.

Long story short I am 62 had hysterectomy 16 yr ago have overies used vagifem for last 8 yr on off last year needed 2 week now last few week 3 ,but have developed tummy cramps and bloating and trapped wind will this settle? Googled every type of stomach ovarian intestinal cystitis pancreatic bowel cancer the lot iv had c.t scan blood test poo test urine test all normal in last 2yrs.i am out of mind with worry please help

Hot water bottle seems to help relax tummy and expel wind.gross I know sorry,if tried ovestin dr said might be fillers making tummy cramps .but might try it again .if no better monday go dr but not sure he would send me anywhere with this lock down.guess just worried something else .no blood no change in bowel habits no burning on passing wee.iv had heavy ache feeling below belly before usually its cause is drop in estrogen .so I up it and ok,if only done 3 for 2 weeks vagifem so maybe it will settle would love to hear from you ladies for advice many thanks.