Gina pessaries any good?

[justasking111]

I'm a bit desperate ten years since last period. The itching at night is miserable. I'm slapping on sudocreme or caneston cream. It does come and go. I don't use soap at all just water.

The thing is, the steroid cream can usually only be used very short-term ( 7 days.)
It may well clear up the itching but it's not actually treating the problem- the cause of it.

Why don't you say to them I think 'I have vaginal atrophy and I want to try topical estrogen'.

I am actually very surprised a nurse can prescribe steroids for your vulva. They can be very strong and are usually not given except for very specific conditions like lichen sclerosis and then only from a dermatologist.

If you were that desperate you'd be in Boots now buying Gina! Or Ovestin from Superdrug.

You could then go to your GP and say it/they had worked and you want it on prescription.

It's your choice really.

I have asked to use topical estrogen the GP refused and prescribed YES. The nurse refused and prescribed 28 days use of a steroid cream. To come back after that if it was still itching

@JinglingSpringbells on both occasions GP and nurse I asked could I buy Gina, they both said no. I'm crying now because of this conflicting advice. Why can't I have steroid cream for 28 days?

Hugs @justasking111 honestly it’s miserable I’ve been there, I know how you feel

you need topical oestrogen - you don’t have to go via your GP - get it online, go via an online doctor. Honestly it’s your body, not theirs - take control of it xx

on both occasions GP and nurse I asked could I buy Gina, they both said no. I'm crying now because of this conflicting advice. Why can't I have steroid cream for 28 days?

You don't need their permission to buy Gina!!!!
They can't stop you buying it. It's available from the pharmacy.
All you need do is tell the pharmacist you are over 50 and menopausal.

You appear to have a terrible GP and a useless nurse, who are spouting nonsense. If they refused medical treatment, you have a right to challenge and ask the reason why.

It's actually incredible that they are refusing this yet are happy to give you steroids for your vulva which has far more risks and side effects.

I'd change your GP and in the meantime, buy the products you need. You need to take control of this and not keep being 'told' what you can do.

What steroid cream is it?

Any low dose steroid cream like E45 hydrocortisone which you can buy OTC says very clearly 'not to be used on the genitals'. Stronger steroids like Betnovate, or Synalar and very strong and not for the genitals except in very rare occasions when prescribed by a consultant dermatologist who has diagnosed eczema, dermatitis, lichen sclerosis.

I would go as far as complaining to the practice manager as you have been refused a safe treatment that is available OTC, without good reason.

mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/sites/4/2018/04/Using-steroid-ointment-on-the-vulva-October-2017.pdf

This explains when steroids can be used and what for.

You need a proper diagnosis of these conditions to use it.
A nurse is not qualified. usually these conditions are diagnosed by a dermatologist.

The nurse took a swab but no result is back yet.
This is really terrible treatment and you need to realise that and find another GP.

It is so disappointing that your GP and nurse are failing to give you the obvious and appropriate treatment. You need topical oestrogen and you shouldn't have to go to Superdrug and buy it, but in your case I would do that today and then contact the practice manager on Monday to discuss the surgery's poor response. They need some training on this issue.

Just for info

You can buy Gina at all pharmacies OTC. You may need to confirm with the pharmacist that you are over 50 and have not had a period for a year.

You cannot buy Ovestin over the counter, but you CAN get it online using a form to order it, and it's usually next day delivery to your home or collect at the pharmacy, such as Superdrug.

Just putting this here because it is so important to understand ALL the symptoms of post menopausal loss of oestrogen. I had no idea about the bladder problems, UTIs, urgency, leaking. I too was fobbed off by my GP and suffered for ages.

The itching and burning from lack of oestrogen is pure torture. OP, go and buy some Gina pessaries. Use them as per instructions and see how you are after a few days. I have been on vagifem pessaries for 6 years now and I do my pelvic floor exercises exactly as Elaine Miller advises and I am so much better.

Love Elaine Miller!

@justasking111 one of my physio exercises for strengthening my back muscles (related to spinal problems) is a form of pelvic floor exercise. They have been very effective in tandem with:

Ovestin cream
A dermatologist-prescribed emollient
Kefir probiotic (instead of Canestan - personal choice)

Your story made me feel very frustrated and p*ssed off. I've been quite a journey myself to get to where I am at the age of 60, and it amazes me that despite all the public awareness there now (supposedly) is of menopause and the symptoms for women, many GP surgeries are still clueless. I still have to push back periodically with my own GP(s) around transdermal HRT and their weird insistence that I 'think about stopping'. Erm, no.

However even my somewhat cranky GP surgery has never queried prescribing me with Ovestin. It's just so odd that your surgery is linking your need for it, and its willingness to supply it, directly with your role as a participant (or not) in penetrative sex. It's bizarre and misogynistic.

Interestingly, there is a long 'medical' article in the Mail online today on just this!

It's a bit of a weird headline, as it's asking if the increase in use of dating apps by older women is the reason for more women suffering from painful sex (and related GSM issues.) As if dating apps 'cause it'!

Rather than saying, of course, that many women suffer from this condition whether they are having sex or not.

I'm on day 4 of using Gina. I bought it on Boots website and it was delivered to our local chemist who just handed a box over. £30.

I'm 62 and have never taken HRT as I never felt I needed it but I went for a smear test last week at the GPs and the nurse started talking about atrophy and thinning vaginal walls but with no suggestion of treatment. I then saw an ad for Gina on FB, read all about it and decided to try it. On the (very rare) occasion I have sex it really hurts and has done for a while so I'm hoping this will fix it. I'll report back progress.

I am horrified by the dreadful treatment that the O.P has received from her Doctor and practice nurse. How can so many Doctors and health professionals be so ignorant about the symptoms and treatment menopause, especially in the light of the recent increase in awareness and long overdue information via the Davina programme and similar. It is truly depressing that women are still being refused the correct treatment.
@justasking111 Ask to see a different Doctor or better yet change to a different practice.
As @JinglingSpringbells says tell the Doctor you have the symptoms of Vaginal Atophy and wish to start treatment. Ask for Vagifem and/or Ovestin and do not be fobbed off!

Thank you for your support. I'm on betnovate cream. It's working two nights of sleep. So that's looking positive. Haven't had the swab result yet.

However, I do wonder if this irritation, whatever it is was caused by menopause thinning. So should I still push for estrogen cream?

What do you want OP?

A steroid cream may well soothe the inflammation, but it's a sticking plaster- it's not actually dealing with the likely cause.

You've had masses of advice but this seems to be going round in circles. Did you not feel like trying/buying Gina which was what your first post was about?

Yes OP, the vaginal irritation and soreness is almost certainly caused by lack of oestrogen which can be treated by using the Ovestin and/or Vagifem (which your G.P should have prescribed.) Alternatively just buy the Gina, which is effectively the same treatment, and see how you get on with that.

OP how can I put this. YES. You should STILL push for estrogen cream. Or as many pp have now said, go online and order some. And stop the bloody awful steroid cream as soon as possible, you don't want that muck anywhere near your bits unless prescribed by someone much more competent than the useless shower you've been relying on so far.
Honestly, the difference is amazing and really quick. Can you see another GP or change surgery?

I'll just add, the first doctor I consulted prescribed a variety of creams and potions for my various itches and rashes. No mention of estrogen (or menopause). I saw another doctor who prescribed different creams and potions. The third doctor finally (after two or three years) suggested estrogen, and explained (as people here have) that all my symptoms were connected. I'm a survivor of breast cancer so I questioned her about the safety, but she explained that topical treatment is completely different to hrt, the quantity is tiny in comparison and there is no risk. It is depressing that so many doctors haven't caught up with the latest research, despite the publicity.

I don’t want to hijack the thread but I could do with some clarification.
I am on vagifem for VA but still suffer from itching , urge incontinence and occasional UTI’s.
I had thrush continuously for two years or so and kept going to the Gp who referred me to a sexual health clinic! They didn’t even do a test for thrush , just prescribed Damacort . This does help as canesten just seems to irritate me.

The thrush has been better in the past few months as I have been taking probiotics but if I drink wine or have anything sugary it all starts up again.

I have asked the doctor for Ovestin cream as I wonder if the itching is not thrush at all and want to try it. The doctor has said I can have Ovestin or vagifem but not both.
I get free prescriptions as I am hypothyroid so don’t want to buy it if I can avoid it. What advice can you wise women offer?

This is outrageous, your gp is an idiot.
Complain to the practice manager, show the NICE guidelines and insist on your right to HRT.
Alternatively get an appt with Newsons Clinic.
I think Superdrug are also doing online spots to get oestrogen cream.

I should add I don’t even know if the itching is thrush. They never do a test and I find the GP useless. I suspect sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t.

HRT would help.

I don’t want it and I’m 61 now.