Itching (already use ovestin)

[poppym12]

I'm post menopause and have really had any genitourinary problems apart from thinning skin which I started using ovestin for about 3 years ago.

The last couple of days I've felt itchy and uncomfortable. Upon inspection it looks quite red but no other thrush type symptoms. I also felt a bit like I had a uti at the weekend but that doesn't seem too bad after a few doses of d mannose.

Should I treat for thrush just in case or continue with twice weekly ovestin? Is this a new menopause joy that is to be expected?

When I had those symptoms, also postmenopausal and using Vagifem, my GP suggested using 1% hydrocortisone for a week. It's available over the counter. It worked, settled things down.

If you have UTI symptoms, I wonder if Vagifem might be better than Ovestin as it's in pessary form. Might be worth a check.

I use a pea sized amount of ovestin daily on my vulva as well as internally and that is the only thing that has worked for me.

If you have a dry vagina- which I’m assuming, like me you do if you’re using Ovestin, you may not be capable of producing the typical thrush discharge. It doesn’t mean it’s not thrush. Treat it as if it is - won’t do any harm. You may have difficulty dissolving the pessaries, you can buy a Canestan internal cream with applicator on Amazon or get it on prescription (it’s not the same as the external cream).

And yes you should be using Ovestin externally as well as internally if you’re not already.

Thank you for the replies. Dryness isn't a huge problem @Pigeonqueen but I'll get cream instead of pessary just in case. Or I might get the oral pill.

I've always been happy with the effect of ovestin so I'm hoping that this is just a one off and I don't need to switch to something else.

The d mannose seems to have helped the uti feeling so I'll make sure I order some more of that to keep by.

Stupidly I only seem to bother applying it to the outside occasionally. I must make a point of doing that regularly @TreesWelliesKnees, although didn't seem to help earlier in the week when I applied it and made the sensation feel more thrush like.

I thought hydrocortisone was to be avoided on the genital area @DramaAlpaca 😲. I do have some of that so I'll try it if nothing else works.

I had same symptoms. Got fed up after months of eumovate and trimovate, went to see gynae and I have been using LIBERAL amounts of ovestin on vulva, on my urethra and inside using my finger for 6 weeks now and I am significantly less itchy.

I did need to get GP to increase my ovestin prescription so I go through about 6 tubes a month. You might not need that much!

Yes VM made it much worse, as did any emollient.

Ps. I'd also chuck a few flucanazoles at it too. I get mine in packs of three from amazon, much cheaper than the pharmacy/supermarket.

Oh god, I could have written this thread. Like you, I am uncomfortable and red on vulva. It's really miserable isn't it. I'm watching with interest! Big hugs.