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

Oh that sounds nasty @Ilovelowry . I hope you are doing better now. If so what made the difference for you?

@AuntieMaryMeds using estriol to excess basically!!

Maybe it's time to think about increasing the oestrogel. Going from 2 pumps to 3 made a massive difference. Not just in the downstairs, TBH. So much else improved that suddenly the penny dropped for me: I had been constantly under-medicated, thinking an improvement to a vaguely tolerable condition was all that I could expect, not realising I could actually improve to the extent that I would feel like myself again. Things that I had not thought were a problem, because they had become my new norm, went away, and I realised that they'd actually been quite shit.

Ive used vagifem for years and years and am still going to the loo twice nightly. I also gave solefenacin, which is meant to help, but doesn't. Im at my wits end with my bladder.

I have an Estradiol vaginal ring that's replaced every 12 weeks. I use no other HRT. It's been great for VA, I've not had any bladder problems so can't say it would improve that area for you.

Can you swap to estriol cream? And lots of it? I wake in the night, realise I need a wee, then go back to sleep again without getting up. It was 5 times a night until HRT and estriol.

May I ask please @Seaoftroubles are you on regular HRT as well, or can you take this post-meno if you take no other hormones?

Thanks!

I second the estring it's a ring that you wear internally. Plus use the ovestin externally on the vulva.

Im not in hrt though

Sorry I wasn't saying you should go on HRT, I'm just saying that serious amounts of estriol helped me, but I also went on HRT at the same time.

My pelvic floor was in a dreadful state. I've prolpase, urinary incontinence. And the estriol helped loads.

I used vagirux and ended up with a raging UTI and bilateral kidney infection, having never in my life had anything like that before.
UTI is listed as a side effect of vaginal oestrogen on the NHS web site and it maybe that for some reason you are more susceptible.
I think you probably need to speak to your doctor and try something else.
My doctor didn't even really believe the Vagirux cause the UTI and I just gave up with it all so I can't be much further help.

I found cutting out caffeine helpful with bladder issues.

Cutting out caffeine has been life changing for my bladder problems too. I also had to give up my home made kefir. I can't drink decaffeinated coffee either, after a a couple of le of days the symptons come back.

I'm glad its helping you @Ilovelowry

I bought decaf tea but its not so nice...maybe i should stick with it
..

@Knittedfairies2 and @Happydays321 Interesting what you say about caffeine. I have reduced right down but can't quite kick the habit. May I ask were you a 'certain age' when you found you had to do this?

@AuntieMaryMeds 70 if that's a certain age...

I was in my early 60's when it started, it was horrible my bladder was uncomfortable or painful all the time, I was weeing numerous times in the night. Honestly just go completely caffeine free, it took a couple of weeks for my bladder to completely return to normal. It was hard as I love tea and coffee but it's better to be comfortable and have a good night's sleep.
I'd been using estriol cream for several years previously and continue to do so. It made no difference to my bladder although it's good in other ways.

@Knittedfairies2 I meant (peri) menopausal because that's where I'm at. I was wondering if the caffeine intolerance was related (as so many annoying things seem to be). Anyhow glad no caffeine is working for you. Xxx

Thanks @Happydays321 I guess I just have to bite the bullet and give it up completely. Already stopped curry and red wine....

Lurking

Hello @theribbonroom don't be shy. Tell us your troubles. Xxx

I’m sure I saw an American hormone doc on YT advocating that all women after a certain age should be given vaginal oestrogen. I Asked my GP for some to help with stress incontinence, and she said if you aren’t suffering from dryness then just do kegels. Do you all agree with this? I’m in HRT but only one pump of oestrogen.

Bollocks. Get some vaginal oestrogen.

Was that Kelly Casperson? She's a vocal advocate of keeping your bladder and vagina happy.

I drink Twining's English breakfast decaf tea or Yorkshire Tea decaf. Can't taste the difference.

UTI is listed as a side effect of vaginal oestrogen on the NHS web site

@ElBandito i thought it was supposed to reduce UTIs, not cause them?