Oestrogel

[pizzapiazza]

I recently had a cystoscopy (all good, nothing worrying found, thank God).
The consultant suggested I might benefit from Oestrogel for VA.
I was a bit stressed at the thought of the procedure I was about to undergo tbh, so can't really remember how the conversation went but my GP messaged a week later to say the prescription was waiting.

Now though, I'm not sure I want/need it. I haven't had sex for 5 years & almost certainly won't have it ever again, so does it matter if I have a bit of VA?

I'm very lucky in that my menopause (lmp was 8yrs ago) has been great. One week of night sweats years ago & that's been it. I have had no other symptoms and feel so much better than when I was having periods.

So, why would I need to use Oestrogel?

It won't be Oestrogel. I think they mean topical (vaginal) estrogen.
This is a cream or a tiny tablet (of estrogen.)

Using it is not to do with having or not having sex.

Have a read about VA and how estrogen helps. It's to stop bladder issues and frequency etc.

@JinglingSpringbells thanks for your reply.

I just read the Consultant's letter to GP & he has indeed stated an oestrogen cream but when I called the surgery to see what the prescription was for, the receptionist said it was Oestrogel pump pack, 0.6% gel. I wrote that down, so am certain that's what she said.
(Although from Googling, I think she probably meant 0.06%)?

Think I will have a read about oestrogen cream and go from there.

It sounds as if something has been 'lost in translation' between the consultant and the GP.

The cream is called Ovestin.

Oestrogel pump pack is for systemic HRT and it's not what you have been prescribed because you'd also need progestogen with that as HRT/

[[https://primarycarenotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=x2019060618457406265

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells , I had just read about needing progestogen if using Oestrogel, so I think the GP has definitely mistaken the type of treatment the Consultant suggested. It even says in the consultant letter to apply to the vagina using a finger rather than the applicator, whereas the Oestrogel information online says not to be applied to the genital area.

I will call the surgery & tell them I do not want it!
On reflection, I'm not even sure I want to use anything tbh. I don't get a uti that frequently, so don't feel the need to use a topical treatment.

I would consider the Ovestin if it has been suggested as consultant obviously noticed you had signs of VA.
Even though you have noticed no symptoms yourself VA gets worse without treatment. Ovestin is really safe to use.

When it gets bad VA can mean you can't even walk around a supermarket or sit down without being in pain and trying to sleep with the discomfort is a nightmare.

VA isn't just an issue with sex.

It got to the stage with me where I couldn’t sit down or were jeans without pain so I would treat it now. It took six months to heal with medication.

@JinglingSpringbells , just thought I'd update this.

I called the surgery & they checked and the GP had prescribed the wrong thing! 🤨

Anyway, they changed that & now I have the correct medication, although haven't got round to using it yet.