Vaginal estrogen best for bladder

[AuntieMaryMeds]

Hi all

I have been suffering from vaginal atrophy or GSM for a while and have tried various versions of vaginal HRT which all have pros and cons. One of my main problems has been bladder discomfort (feeling a bit like I have a UTI).

I recently switched to Intrarosa but I feel like the bladder problems are creeping back in. My question is therefore does anyone have any experience of trying different versions and found one to be better for the bladder aspect?

I'd also be interested to hear if you've used just one and it's helped bladder discomfort.

Thanks xxxx

Poor you. I have only ever used estradoil pessaries on prescription and have had no problems whatsoever. Cleared up a year+ long saga of 'UTIs' and abdominal pain.

Thanks @LittleMonks11 . I'm glad they worked for you. What's the brand name of the ones you use?

I go between Vagifem and unbranded 'oestradoil'. Whatever pharmacy has in stock I guess. The only branded one I've used is Vagifem.

Have you seen a pelvic floor physio and do you do Kegels?

I use what used to be called Ovestin and is now unbranded 'Estriol' cream. I put a 50p size big blob on my middle finger and shove it up and then rub the rest on my perineum.

I no longer need to wee at night.

This.
Got estriol on prescription as it's quite expensive to buy over the counter. Works well. Dr also gave me epaderm to use for any external soreness or dryness. It can also be used as a soap substitute.

I can't use any hormone based products as I've had breast cancer, and I have been prescribed hyalofemme for the last three or four years which I find helpful.

@Growlybear83 I believe that the guidance has changed that lots of oncologists will still allow vaginal oestrogen?

Kelly Casperson and Louise Newson talk about this a lot.

I tried Yes VM but it gave me thrush, I hated the gel formulation. Is Halo a cream?

No, it's a gel. I've never had any side effects from it so far. Maybe the advice depends on the type of breast cancer you've had but the advice I was given the last time my prescription was reviewed was that I still should be avoiding any hormone based products.

I have the pessaries (the tiny pill on the end of an applicator) and really don't feel the twice a week dose is enough. I'm great for a week or two after the 14 day loading dose and then the dryness and bladder symptoms creep back. It's frustrating.

Thanks @AllRightNowt that's my experience of vagirux (little pills) as well and it is annoying as they used to work for me before I had a hysterectomy (kept ovaries)

@AllRightNowt I use the cream daily. Gynae recommended it and GP prescribes four tubes a month.

I've been prescribed Gina pessary to use every other night.

I used it every night for two weeks and it was brilliant. Didn't get up in the night, no discomfort. Last night was the first 'without night' and I had to get up for the loo.

I think you can use it every night indefinitely as the amount of oestrogen it offers is very very low. I'm going to ask GP if I can use every night for another month then try every other again.

Thank you, I'm going to mention this to the GP. I do feel cream would be better as the pessary is tiny and dry so I don't feel it reaches the outer parts, which are splitting and sore.

Thanks all for you comments. I've been looking at a few other threads and people say things like Ovestin is a miracle cream. Perhaps that's the one to try next. Anyone have any experience of this with the bladder aspect of vaginal atrophy?

Definitely request Ovestin or the equivalent strength estriol cream if it's not available. It's quite safe to use more than twice weekly if you feel that makes you more comfortable. It will help atrophy and bladder issues too.

I had the same thing, they worked after 2 weeks but when I dropped down to twice a week the problems came back. Mt GP said they have changed the dosage of vagifem and now prescribes enough for me to use it everyday so it's worth asking. The old twice weekly dose was the same as a whole weeks worth now

Thanks @Seaoftroubles and @octopusenergyfree50 . It is strange how the dosage of these things varies so much. I gather from my research that Ovestin is the strongest so perhaps time to give this a go.

This problem has been literally debilitating yet and I'm far from alone. Yet I'd never heard of it before I got it. This isn't right.

Xxxx

@AuntieMaryMeds There is still a lot of ignorance from GP's around vaginal atrophy and urogenital issues. After menopause everything shrinks in that area due to lack of oestrogen, including the urethra, and tissues often need to be plumped up for comfort. Even more so if you have had a hysterectomy.
As @Ilovelowry says Ovestin has indeed been rebranded and is now labeled as Estriol but make sure you request the full strength Estriol cream which I contains1mg/ g of Estriol as other creams can be much weaker.
I also use the method that @Ilovelowry suggests, no need to use the plastic applicator if it's more comfortable to use your finger, and use every day if you need to. I do hope you get some relief soon.

Thank you @Seaoftroubles . It is indeed a much misunderstood and under researched area. The NHS spends so much on over 40 health checks and statins etc to prevent heart attacks and diabetes but what about the quality of life of 40+ women. All it would take is some warning of symptoms to look out for and some education for GPs

@AuntieMaryMeds l couldn't agree more! Women's health in this area is still lagging behind and so many women suffer as a result. I am still clinging on to my hrt even though am well past the so called cut off date that GP's like to impose! NICE guidelines actually say there is no cut off date so l remind my GP of this, plus the fact it is good for bone and brain health. l'm hoping that as you had a hysterectomy you were prescribed hrt as if not that would also benefit you.

Hello again Everyone. I've been suffering from VA / GSM for a while but other stuff has been going on e.g. hysterectomy and vaginal infection.

I went out for a walk today and every step I took came with a bit of discomfort in that area generally.

If you have also suffered with VA did you get this? I'm just wondering if something else is going on.

Xxx

Yes I had that. I couldn't bear to have the seams of my leggings rubbing on my bits.

Do you use HRT, @AuntieMaryMeds?

I found that increasing my topical HRT reduced my need for vaginal. Before I increased my topical HRT, I could never quite get full relief using the vaginal. Now I am almost always comfortable, and just add vaginal when necessary.

That's good to hear @Aparecium . I'm uncomfortable all the time in my general pelvic area and it's getting me down. I do have 2 pumps estrogel every day as well as the vaginal estrogen.