Could this be menopause related

[2DogsOnMySofa]

Just recently I've been getting a pain in my bladder, constant needing the loo and, what feels like, cystitis and thrush all in one, plus a general uncomfortable feeling everywhere 'down below'. I've been tested for a uti and it's come back clear - could it be another menopausal symptom?

My periods have been all over the place for years now, and I actually can't remember the last time I had one.

But over the past 3/4 months I've been getting night sweats and terrible headaches, joints feel wrecked and I can't lose weight for toffee (or not as the case may be). Also a decent nights sleep is a dim and distant memory.

Yes, those symptoms are those of menopause - you can get topical oestrogen which will help. All your other symptoms could be helped with systemic HRT, too.

Yes, it’s a menopausal symptom 😳 and very unpleasant.
Unfortunately, I’ve been advised not to use hormone products (cancer) and after some research discovered YES VM , natural vaginal moisturiser, which really works. I believe it’s now available on NHS prescription.

Yes. I had this a few months ago. I upped my dosage of HRT and it’s much improved. I also have a family history of BC but there’s also dementia and osteoporosis in the family so I’ll take my chances on BC and protect myself against the others tbh.

Definitely, its called vaginal atrophy.

I have vagifem on prescription for it. Although vagifem is officially classed as HRT it is a very very low dose (equivalent to 1 HRT tablet a yeaR)

I'm actually quite pleased it's a symptom, it's been driving me mad, and I was getting quite upset about it, and it's extremely unpleasant

With regards to dementia, does HRT increase your chances? My Mum had vascular dementia and died at quite an early age due to it, so I'm a bit anxious as I was told it was hereditary.

I'm off to see they gp tomorrow to see if he can give me anything for this vaginal atrophy

Apparently HRT can help prevent dementia. Certainly the slight increase in risk of breast cancer was not enough to dissuade me from trying to for the same reasons as you at the moment, if there’s any other benefits to be had I’ll happily take them.

Studies show that HRT will probably guard against dementia and osteoporosis and I’d take it, but I have bc and, although not hormonal, I have been advised not to take it.

That's good to know, thank you all. I feel a lot less anxious about it all now I know it has a name, even if it feels like I'm falling to bits at the moment. I'll book an appointment with my gp tomorrow to start the hrt journey

I too have had stabbing pains in my bladder but no other symptoms like cystitis or thrush. Is that a symptom? I'm guessing it is as not had a period since April last year. Just strange I've just got these stabbing pains.

I went to the gp who was lovely. He's prescribed me ovestin, which even after one night of using it has been a god send.

However it turns out my blood pressure is too high to start me on HRT. I've never had high blood pressure before so promptly burst into tears - another menopausal symptom to add to the list (crying at anything). He's given me two weeks to self test my blood pressure and then to go back to talk HRT again