Vaginal Atrophy

[AllBellyandBoobs]

Hi, I was diagnosed with VA approx 3 years ago and have been using Vagifem pessaries twice a week since. However, recently it feels as though the outside of my vagina is getting sore again, and very dry. Is this usual? It takes about a month to speak to my GP and I wondered if upping the use of the pessaries would be helpful in the meantime? Does anyone have experience of this?

I am 43, and GP keeps saying I am not menopausal.

There was an identical post to this 3 days ago :)
The answer is to use Ovestin cream externally. This is the same as Vagifem but it's a white cream and you use a pea-size blob on your lips and vulva, daily if necessary. You will need a prescription for it. If your GP isn't willing to help, ask for a referral to a meno specialist.

Argh! Sorry. I should have done a proper search. I was just sitting there feeling fed up and rant-posted Thanks for the reply, and the advice!

@JinglingHellsBells

There was an identical post to this 3 days ago :) The answer is to use Ovestin cream externally. This is the same as Vagifem but it's a white cream and you use a pea-size blob on your lips and vulva, daily if necessary. You will need a prescription for it. If your GP isn't willing to help, ask for a referral to a meno specialist.

You can actually buy this online without a prescription _ I've done this. You just self declare that you need it - I think I may have got it from superdrug online? it is quite pricy though. But you could get a tube whilst waiting to see your GP.

It is HUGELY expensive buying it that way. I pay for my HRT as it's a private prescription through a consultant and the actual retail price I pay for Ovestin is around £7.50, so cheaper in fact than an NHS prescription.
I think Superdrug is something over £20? It's ripping off women but you may want to splash out if it's weeks to see your dr.

Just wanted to echo that Ovestin cream really is brilliant. I see Dr Boden at Newson Health clinic (menopause specialists) and she said it is safe to use up to 4 times a week - typically on the NHS they only recommend twice a week. The extra twice a week made all the difference to me.

@JinglingHellsBells

It is HUGELY expensive buying it that way. I pay for my HRT as it's a private prescription through a consultant and the actual retail price I pay for Ovestin is around £7.50, so cheaper in fact than an NHS prescription. I think Superdrug is something over £20? It's ripping off women but you may want to splash out if it's weeks to see your dr.

Can I ask how much it is to pay for your HRT through a private prescription? @JinglingHellsBells I'm thinking of this.

Hello. Good to see you jingling you give such brilliant advice!
I’m currently taking vagifem and also estriol cream- is this the same as Ovestin? Can’t work it out from the net. Thank you!

Probably- it's the generic version! Ovestin is 0.01% estradiol.
There is a weaker version where you use 10 x as much per application (yuck!!) so is it that?

@Dontcallmewifey The pharmacy adds on their dispensing fee, so the price for a private prescription can vary between pharmacies. Oestrogel is around £10 ( for a month) and Utrogestan is 40p per tablet but this can be a bit more (pence) depending where you live.

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@Dontcallmewifey The pharmacy adds on their dispensing fee, so the price for a private prescription can vary between pharmacies. Oestrogel is around £10 ( for a month) and Utrogestan is 40p per tablet but this can be a bit more (pence) depending where you live.[/quote]
Thanks! I see I am chatting to you on another menopause thread I started too!

Thanks everyone, I now have an appointment but it's not for 4 weeks. I am worried they'll start thinking I have anxiety, I have been seen for many different reasons lately! I'll have a look to see how much it is to buy online

Hi, I've just been prescribed vagifem after having burning sensation down below and finding sex really uncomfortable. Used the first one last night. The applicator is so slim and yet I struggled to use it because it hurt and when I released the tablet it felt like something had pinched me. Just a horrible experience and can't bear the thought of using the next one. I woke up this morning on fire Anyone else have this experience?

Can I ask how long both Vagifem and Ovestin take to work. I am looking after a 90 year old lady who has been using Vagifem pessaries for a few months, without much success. She has seen a consultant who prescribed Ovestin to be used alongside, topically. This was 3 weeks ago and she is still in a lot of pain. Her GP has said she can use both internally - is this OK.