Constant bladder pain

[thaneofglamour]

I'm fed up and after some insights from fellow women with similar experiences.

I keep getting pain in my lower abdomen and am assuming it's my bladder. Worse after a poo (TMI sorry!) and after a period . Always fine at the weekend . Comes back with a vengeance on a Monday and Tuesday almost without fail.

This has been an issue for at least 8 years now but is getting worse.

I don't leak urine. Sometimes I am conscious of dampness and occasionally a smell like a public toilet once I've weed. Going for a wee is never satisfactory. 5 minutes later and the pain is back. I walk about holding my bladder, metaphorically and literally.

Oh, and in the last two years excruciating pain during sex - well, at the end point , if you get my drift. You can imagine it's rather off putting to enjoy oneself ... so that's not great for marital relations. GPs don't seem too fazed by this although it is why I had the first transvaginal scan.

Tests I have had - two transvaginal scans . No concerns. Smears up to date. Several urine samples- all clear.

I feel a bit like GPs are fobbing me off now with 'it's your age. Do some pelvic floor exercises and drink water'. I'm 52 and perimenopausal. Was on HRT but now not on it, pending a clinic appointment. The HRT wasn't making a difference to any symptoms tbh. General meno symptoms were mild.

Just don't know what to do next. Really just getting pissed off. I may have missed some vital info out. Is this just more meno crap?

Pain during sex can be indicative of endometriosis being present and that is not detected on an internal ultrasound scan. It’s usually diagnosed via a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

Have you not as yet seen a gynaecologist regarding this and your bladder issues?.

No. The first TVU was about painful sex but no idea what they were looking for. the second one was their cock up re breakthrough bleeding and assuming I was post menopausal.

I just realised how cock up sounds!!

I was read about endometriosis earlier and interstitial cystitis.

I have painful periods these days but didn't particularly used to and no issues conceiving in the past. But, yes, a fair amount sounds familiar.

One of my GPs seemed surprised by pain on orgasm. This is rare - but I suspect that's under reporting because it's an embarrassing thing to go to the doc about. Even the internet has scant info on it.

Ovarian cancer is ruled out.

Op, has vaginal atrophy ever been mentioned? If anything like my gp probably not. I've suffered with similar symptoms for years. I'm perimenopausal, been getting uti's for a few years now, sometimes infection is there, sometimes not. When I do get an infection the bladder/urethral pain lasts for weeks. Sometimes even feels uncomfortable to sit for long periods. Also very dry and generally uncomfortable down there 👇

Anyway GP never considered this as an option just kept giving me antibiotics or refusing to give me them as no infection showing and telling me it's my age. I was given swabs to rule out STI's once and sent for a cystoscopy and kidney /bladder scan....all came back negative for anything.

It's only recently after some research on t internet by me that I've joined the dots and realised it may well be lack of oestrogen causing my issues.

I've been back to the docs and just basically told them what I think I have and what I'd like prescribed and they didn't quibble. Not sure if it works yet however but I'm hopeful.

Have you asked to be referred to a cystoscopy? I had one and they found lesions in my bladder - benign but causing pain and inflammation

Thanks both . What did you get prescribed tan?

I asked for Vagifem pessaries (thanks to reading a lot of Mumsnet archive threads) but when o picked my prescription up it was for Estriol cream which denim what I've read does pretty much the same thing just a bit messier. It has a very tiny dose of oestrogen in it which can help with these kind of issues.

I used the first dose last night so will see.....🫣

Bloody autocorrect!
"From what I've read"

Hi, i am waiting for cystoscopy, quite worried, what was the treatment for your lesions and did you recover fully? Thanks.

Hi, how did they treat them, are you ok now? I am suffering a lot, has been 6 months.
Thanks

Topical oestrogen, the probiotics that are specifically good for women (look it up), d mannose as well and a pelvic floor trainer and go back for referral for cystoscopy. Use lubricant for sex. My orgasms are different now. Assume it’s nerve related.

I did generally recover but I get minor flare ups eg if I drink alcohol too often. Had a UTI last month for the first time in 5 years and was gutted. I was so anxious but the antibiotics did work.

The treatment was six months preventative antibiotics and a urethral stretch both to prevent further infection. I also avoided acidic foods and drinks. Took about 2 years to feel totally better.

I also went for counselling which really helped as it was dominating my mental health too. I think relaxing genuinely helped as I was tensing my pelvic and bladder muscles all the time too increasing pain and leading to "banding" of the muscles in the bladder as they were over-toned

OP, I had al the symptoms you describe, for years. GP diagnosed Overactive Bladder, and I was on and off various tablets - none of which made a difference. I had ultrasounds, blood tests, antibiotics, internal examinations, etc. I eventually insisted I be referred to a Urologist. He told me to cut out ALL caffeine (teas, coffees, chocolate, Coke) and fruit juices. I was so disappointed, because I thought "Here we go again". Honestly, after about 3 weeks, I couldn't believe the difference it made. My symptoms had all gone, completely, after about 6 weeks. I now only ever drink water, or decaffeinated coffee. On the odd occasion, I've had a Cappucino in a cafe, and the pains from my bladder returned, for a couple of days - just from ONE coffee.

I know this is an old thread but I'm curious - did it work out for you in the end? I ask as am having very similar symptoms. Xxx

Long story but did eventually establish gallbladder and a gallstone. The cyclical sickness and other issues continue, though.

@thaneofglamour I'm glad you got somewhere at least. It helps to have a name for things. Hope the other stuff resolves. Xxx