Hi all just joined this group. I am 70 years old and live in US. I have been having vaginal burning and itching for the last two months. First I was diagnosed with a UTI e coli and put on antibiotic. Antibiotic caused a yeast infection and had to get medicine for that. My urogist thought I might have lichen schlerosis so they did a biopsy on my labia. Then they did a vaginal swab and had bacterial vaginitis and was put on flagyl. Have been retested and no infections currently. The biopsy is negative for lichen schlerosis which is good. But I am suffering. I have been diagnosed with vaginal atrophy and am so sore in my vagina and burning and itching. I have just been started on Estrace. I took it a couple of weeks ago for 5 days but had to stop as I was given Flagyl cream for the bacterial infection. I am back on the estrace for 3 days now. I find when I put the estrace in it burns and itches. I don't know if this is normal in the beginning. Is it supposed to burn in the beginning until you get used t it? I am to use 0.01 gram per night for one to two weeks till I feel relieve. Then twice a week. How long does it take. I asked if I can use vaginal moisturisers as well. my Gyno told me after the two week period can be used on nights when I did not use the estrace. Is there anything to use at same time as estrace to put in the vagina to just soothe the pain. Help. This is so depressing. I have never heard of vaginal atrophy before. Please give me input on things you have done that have helped.
Hi Linda. I am 75 and also have recently been diagnosed with vaginal atrophy. I was put on Ovestin cream at first but found it burned me so much I was actually in tears. Then my doctor changed it to Vagifem pessaries which come with an applicator to insert in vagina it's easy to use. They don't burn me but I'm still in lots of pain and soreness and my urethra is also sore and my urine burns too but apparently that's all part of this rotten symptom. I've been told not to use anything else on myself to ease the burning but what I do is keep a small drinks bottle filled with luke warm water and as I pee I pour it on myself down the toilet. I also use an icepack, even in bed, as that helps a bit. I'm sorry I can't be more help to you as I'm also suffering it's been over two months now. But if I find a way I'll put it on here but there are a lot of helpful people here too.
Hi Linda
I am 65 and live in the US. I was diagnosed with Atrophic Vaginitis years ago and Vagifem was recommended. At the time I did not have symptoms so I made a big mistake and did not use the Vagifem! Not good! This past year I started to feel like I had UTI's some were but others not. My GYN had me use Premarin or Estrace (I believe they are the same ) for two weeks then had me start with the Vagifem 2x a week.....Linda the Vagifem does take time, you must be patient. It took me several weeks for me to feel almost normal again... If outside stings then he had me put a small amount of Estrace on my finger and apply it to the outside....only for a short time...for me several days. I am surprised your doctor didn't recommend the Vagifem to you (prescription only) doctors usually have samples for you to try. Unfortunately we are susceptible to getting UTI's ecoli as the vaginal walls are thin.....important to not get constipated! I have a problem with that so I have had several UTI's with too many antibiotics CIPRO...not good so try to avoid UTI's. Have to drink lots of water.
i hope this helps Linda. We are all here for each other....you are not alone.
best,
wendy
Hi Marion
i just posted to Linda...please read. Are you taking the Vagifem 2x week? It takes awhile to work. Some need to take more Vagifem per week but you will need to ask your doctor about that. Some are taking 3 and some 5 a week..
Best,
Wendy
I know what you are going thru. Took 3 years of pain and Uti's to get a vaginal
Atrophy diagnosis. None of the creams helped me. Found the mona Lisa treatment on line. My gyn said it had good results and I did it. It changed my life. No more Uti's or pain. Go once a year for follow up. Insurance does not cover Goggle it. Good luck
Hi Wendy by coincidence I've seen my GP today and he's told me to use it every night for a week then see how it is to go back to twice a week. Thank you.
Hi I was interested in finding out about the Mona Lisa treatment here in the UK and saw that it costs £2,000 for the three treatments. I think I'll carry on trying the vagifem for a while instead. !!!
I know. So expensive. Should be covered but as it's a women's issue we are left to suffer. I paid 2500 dollars and now it is more expensive
Hello Linda,
Many of us have found that we need to take vagifem up to 5 or 7 nights a week. Once you feel much better you can taper it down to every other day and then 2 nights a week, or stay on 5 nights a week if that is what works for you. Local cream on the outside will help. Research Ovestin/Estriol if the estrace is not helpful. There are many helpful suggestions on this thread and others to do with VA on this forum and also many suggestions on a site called menopause matters dot co dot uk, that is chaired by the head of the British Menopause Society. It is very informative.
Good luck.
The women on this site helped me so much when I was going through my pain and suffering… This seems to be the only place that we can discuss it and talk about it and don't feel like we're going crazy… I feel so blessed that I am OK now but I want all of you to be OK
Please be patient. Took quite awhile for the atrophy to set in, and it will take awhile to start feeling some relief. The Estrace burn is a little uncomfortable due to the irritation on your skin, but it shouldn't be overly painful. If it doesn't ease up soon call your Dr and see if you can get a Rx for a compounded version of the cream. I heard this works for some of us who are sensitive. I also used coconut oil during the daytime, and the Estrace overnight. Took about 6 months till the cream made me feel normal again, and that was only when I started using Estrace 3x a week, instead of 2. I've since had the Mona Lisa, and like everyone says, it was life changing!!
Hi L inda here. I think I am replying to myself as I am not used to this system. Hope you all get this. Thanks you for your support and replies. I have been on the Estrace for 6 nights. Am supposed to be on for two weeks at 0,01 gram a night. Then every other night. Was not told to go on vagefem. Was just given the estrace. Switched from male older gyno to a female who is into female menopause and does the Mona Lisa treatment at $2500. My gyno wants me to try this and see how it works. I was feeling better the last few days with little burning and itching. Now today it is bad again. The itching and burning. Mine is in the vagina not on the outside so much. It is also sore. Someone mentioned coconut oil. Is that to go inside of you? Can you put it inside while the estrace is being put in there? My gyno said when I get on the twice a week on alternate nights I can use Emerita which is like replens. Does Emerita and replens work? How do you know the problem is not UTI or Yeast infection and just the vaginal atrophy. I have been on a whirlwind. I am 70 and thinking maybe I am too old for hormone therapy. Appreciate all of your thoughts. Please let me know if you get this. I am so depressed. Also how do I know if the burning and itching is a reaction to the estrace and I am sensitive to it or is it the vaginal atrophy? HELP
Hi Linda. I wish I could give you some comfort but I am in the same boat as you. My doctor said I should be on oestrogen and I'm 75 so you're not too old to use it either. I was tested for urine infection and you should have been too. Why did your doctor say you can't use Vagifem as it doesn't burn me as much as the cream but I do still feel burning the next day, well every day at the moment. I also am not sure whether the burning is the atrophy or the oestrogen but I've read so much on here and everyone says it's the right thing to use.
Its horrible I know and it's making me depressed as I can't walk without pain and I like to exercise by walking every day. So I'm not doing that at the moment. We have to be brave and keep going and I hope my last few years aren't going to be spoiled with this thing.
But it could be worse so I try to keep that in mind. Good luck Linda.
I know your pain. It is hard to distinguish one pain from another. I spent many months on the couch Many times I had Uti's. Many times I did not. This site is the best for info. I have so many things I tried over the counter and even used ice in a vague in my underpants. One night I grabbed frozen blueberries and put the pack u know where. Fell asleep. What a mess.
Hang in. It's not easy. I am 72
Meant in a plastic bag. You have to laugh
Are you ok now nancyo? You made me laugh anyway .
Glad I got you to laugh though this condition is a tough one. I am okay but went thru so much and feel for you too.
I see so many of you ladies are in total discomfort from vaginal atrophy. I am 57. I have been on bio identical hormones for two years now since menapause. I am on Estriol, Estrodial, Progesteone and Testosterone. I have no issue with vaginal tissues. I am just throwing this out to you. Have you thought of even just doing testosterone replacement? This might be an answer to repair and rebuild those tissues. Maybe along with estriol cream. Women need testosterone too and it might be a better option for some than going in all the way with replacing all of their hormones. Just a suggestion. There are women that have had great success after menapause with just testosterone treatment. It is way more affordable than the mona lisa that so many women just cannot afford. Although some find some relief from vitamin E oil and coconut oil it is not what is depleted in our bodies that is causing the grief. It is the depletion of our hormones that have kept things healthy our whole life. Just my suggestion. Good Luck.
I want to add one more thing. This is a lifetime maintenance. This isn't until things feel better and then you quit. Your body will not all of a sudden start producing these hormones to keep vaginal tissue healthy again. If I was to quit my hormone replacement my menapause symptoms would be back. Again, bio identical is key if replacing your hormones.
I agree with both your posts Jude and thank you for making those points. Could you share please in what form you are taking them? Are you getting estradiol through a gel or patch or pill? And the estriol ? Etc. This would be very helpful for those of us to know what to ask for and research.
Also, its great you have no vaginal issues ! Did you have any and your HRT resolved them or were you one of the lucky ones who escaped this ghastly condition?
Thank you for sharing,