Vagifem or Ovestin for bladder issues / vaginal atrophy

[dahliaaa]

Have been having debilitating bladder issues this year.
Started as a uti that took a long time to resolve with antibiotics but still really struggling.
Constantly feel like I need the loo etc. Very uncomfortable all the time.
Making day to day things difficult.
I've been using vagifem for 6 months but still really struggling.
Is it worth seeing if GP will let me switch to Ovestin or if one doesn't work is the other one not likely to either ?
I was so optimistic about Vagifem as had read so many positive things about it with bladder.

Hi where did you hear this ? I've adenomyosis too and my doctor has never mentioned any issues with being prescribed hrt in the future. I'm also on several menopause groups and I've never heard this

Thank you for all the info everyone - really appreciated.
@Imalongtimepostingmum was it a urologist you saw or gynaecologist / Urogynaecologist ?

Ovestin is a gift from the Gods. I had bladder pain, UTIs, burning and endless weeing (about every 15 mins sometimes). It’s changed my life x

@dahliaaa I pm'ed you earlier. I saw a gynae but really it sounds like you could benefit from a uro.

Absolutely agree. I was weeing countless times when I got into bed, so up and down to the loo. Then 3 times a night at least.

I will PM you.

@Imalongtimepostingmum Yep. That’s it. I thought I had interstitial cystitis; a nasty long term condition. It was terrifying. None of the GPs I saw at my local practice connected it to estrogen loss because of menopause. I did my own research and requested Ovestin (now called just estriol). I don’t know where I’d be now without it x

I have Vagifem or Vagirux prescribed, depending on which one my pharmacy sends me, I buy Ovestin cream as well as my GP won't prescribe both. I've gone from wetting myself so badly I had to wear pullups & wetting myself 6+ times a day to being able to wear normal pants & just using a pad at night as a precaution & being 99% dry. I no longer have to restrict fluid intake & can drink as much as I want & I don't get nearly as many UTI as I used to.

That's amazing turn around @Nat6999
Glad things are better for you

A proper urogynaecologist is the right person. There aren't many of them about unfortunately. They do describe themselves as such so google is helpful.

Thank you @endofthelinefinally

How are you now @dahliaaa ? I'm wondering as I'm in a very similar situation to the one you were describing. It would be great to know what happened. Xxx

Vagifem and ext ovestin daily sort out my bladder problems too

Also sorts out any ph balance issues such as BV.

@dahliaaa did you have any improvement with this?

It's been mixed for me to be honest. I haven't needed / taken antibiotics for a while now but I still have significant problems with bladder awareness / urgency etc.
I'm sticking with the vagifem though.

@dahliaaa ive sent you a PM

@Nat6999 how long on the vagifem did you see a difference?

@dahliaaa - if vagifem is not getting you anywhere you could ask to try Intrarosa or ospemifene. Xxx

Can you say a bit more about what these are? Thanks!

Wrong thread