Vaginal atrophy?

[Miriad]

I had sex and the following morning I developed symptoms that match thrush or UTI. Tests and swabs are all clear. Antibiotics and pessaries haven’t worked. If it was just irritation I’d expect it to ease off, but it’s been a month.

I’m 44. GP insists it must be vaginal atrophy because tests are clear, and has prescribed hormone cream. But I don’t see how vaginal atrophy can suddenly be triggered by sex?

Estrogen promotes the growth of healthy organisms in the vagina, protecting against infection. When hormone levels decrease harmful organisms eg bacteria and yeast can multiply inside the vagina.

Im experiencing the most awful vaginal pain…constant burning on one side internally and feels like it’s going up to my bladder
I had the same in Dec but UTI tests were clear
GP prescribed estrogen pessaries which really helped and it cleared up but the pain is now back ten fold and pessaries aren’t touching it.
The pain is making me feel sick and I can’t think straight
has anyone else experienced this please