Smear/gyno/vagifem

[Tess1933]

I don't know what to do. I have had problems with smears in the past so went to a private hospital in May for my latest smear. It took half an hour for gyno. to find my cervix apparently. I think she injured me and I have not been right since. My cervix is still bloody when touched. I asked G.P. to see me a month later and she wouldn't. Two months later after I said I was bleeding she gave me an internal, I said how rough gyno. was and she didn't say anything. I went to my She found my cervix quickly and then told me it was the menopause and prescribed vagifem. I didn't have any problems before that smear and I'm not sure it was performed correctly anyway ( it felt like she took a biopsy rather than a smear). I am scared,I emailed the complaints department and have heard nothing back and if I do I feel they will all back each other up. I just want to get back to normal and stop the bleeding. I don't know whether I can use the vagifem if I am bleeding. The bleeding now is just from the top of my vagina and cervix when I touch it and it itches, lower stomach ache and last night the top of my legs didn't feel right. All other swelling and bleeding have reduced. G.P. tested me and all tests are neg. I am not sexually active anyway and am late 50's. Does anyone know if I can use vagifem if I am bleeding? Scared that this episode will bring on cancer? I had an endometrial ablation a few years ago so the lining of my womb was taken away? Not sure it's in my best interests to raise concerns about gyno. again? Any advise would be welcome.

That sounds like an awful experience for you. The dr was aware you were bleeding when she prescribed so using it shouldn’t be an issue. I don’t think you would still be bleeding this long if the Gynae had done a biopsy tbh so presumably the Dr has prescribed it to help with some changes that may be the cause of your bleeding. It seems to treat all the symptoms you are suffering and can be used when suffering pain & bleeding through intercourse so I would start using it and hopefully the issues you are suffering will clear up. If you do have any doubts you need to discuss it again with the Dr or even the practice nurse who does HRT reviews, the nurses are usually very up to date re HRT. I hope things improve for you soon

What Vagifem® treats.
Vagifem® 10 mcg treats menopausal symptoms in and around the vagina.

Clinical studies showed that Vagifem® 10 mcg reduced a combined score of the most bothersome symptoms, including:

Vaginal dryness
Pain and bleeding during intercourse
Irritation
Soreness
Itching in and around the vagina
Painful urination
Vagifem® 10 mcg treats the underlying cause of menopause-related vaginal changes by helping to replenish the vagina’s lost estrogen.
www.vagifem.com/about/how-it-works

Thank you, that's reassuring that I can use it whilst bleeding.

I'm sorry you had this horrible experience.

You can use Vagifem if you bleed (it's not actually HRT, it's topical estrogen.) Sometimes severe vaginal atrophy causes the vaginal walls to bleed.

BUT I'm not sure how anyone can tell by looking that the bleeding is not coming from your womb. Your GP can't tell this from just looking. If there was blood on your cervix, it could be coming from inside - your womb.

I think you should go back to your GP and really push for a referral NHS to have an ultrasound scan of your womb. This should be a fast-track appt within 2 weeks. That's what they give post menopausal women with bleeding.

You just need to be sure it's only vaginal bleeding and nothing more serious.

Do go back and discuss it all?

Good luck.

👋 Has anyone noticed the hot flushes intensify while taking Vagifem? I'm on day 6 and my hor flushes are through the roof! Not had them as intense as this and it's awful.

@Mers30 yes, I had to stop the Vagifem due to hot flushes and mine had stopped completely before starting it. I now use Imvaggis which is a lower dose oestrogen. It's not as convenient to use because it's a wax pellet without an applicator, but I don't get the hot flushes with it and it controls the vaginally symptoms.

Thanks for the reply! So much for thinking vagifem would help! Hot flushes and now period pains started. Oh the 😊....NOT! Only on day 6 of the Vagifem :(

@Mers30 Vaginal estrogen stays where it's put. It can't cause hot flushes. The chances are you would be having them/ more anyway!

Within the first couple of weeks of using vaginal estrogen, a very tiny amount may be absorbed until the vaginal walls thicken (I'm quoting medical facts here- you can find this all online too) but even if you're one of those who does absorb some, it would prevent hot flushes, not cause them.

Thats answered thar then lol I'm thinking it's because of the Vagifem. I will carry on with the prescription if it helps (hopefully) I'm 56 feeling 106 at the minute. 😆

I have stopped bleeding and have not used the vagifem, but my cervix and lower stomach area is still hurting. G.P. just keeps on saying I need to take the vagifem! What can I do now? Do I go private? She won't refer me for an internal scan?

Use the treatment you were given. What arent you?

Because it may mask symptoms of something worse!? I can't work out why all my problems have happened since the smear test? I had no problems before. No bleeding, sore vagina, pain in cervix or anything. Why after 3 months am I still suffering from it? What did she do to me? OR have I got it wrong, because I am not sexually active, did I just not notice it before and the smear test aggravate it? I am also scared about the cancer side of things and if I take the vagifem - if there is something wrong and I start taking the vagifem, everyone will say - 'Oh lots of women bleeds on vagifem' or 'oh, the pain is just the vagifem, everyone gets side effects from it?? Can you see where I am coming from ?

I’d go private to stop your worry.

You need to see someone else and get referred to gynae. I don't understand why your gp won't do this. It's no hardship to do.

You ought not to have to go privately.

can you ask to see another GP at the practice?

There are many reasons why you could be bleeding

A cervical erosion (now called ectropion) which is harmless but can cause spotting.

A very dry vagina (to be treated with vaginal estrogen)

Anything else inside the womb needs a scan to see it.

I'm not sure if the bleeding you describe is all of the time like a period or just spotting.

Unless your GP is 100% sure it's vaginal atrophy causing the bleeding, you should be referred for a scan.

There must be another dr at the practice you can see and discuss with?

I posted around 2 weeks ago with wanting to know any comments on using Vagifem. I had some great replies and really helpful as I was so nervous about using it and I was having really hot flushes. Since using Vagifem I have found it to be a life saver (up to now)!. The dryness has completely gone and no more irritation. First time in a while it wasn't uncomfortable for sex :) Many thanks to the help and comments I received. Wohooo for Vagifem lol 😆

I went back to my G.P. and she has agreed to send me for a scan. Can I ask is it possible that; since all this started after my smear; that because I have not been sexually active since before my divorce in 2014, that I just never noticed vaginal atrophy? I just feel that so called smear was so rough that she did something to my vagina or cervix? Or is this what it feels like when you have vaginal atrophy?