Vaginal and bladder atrophy

[Pinkruby701]

I am 18 mths post.op. no cervix, no uterus, no ovaries. Trying to figure out if my bladder wall is having atrophy issues. Estrogen level is a 70. Only wear a patch. Feeling burning in my bladder and vaginal area. No UTI....but did get one several months ago and having hard time getting rid of it. Has anyone had bladder issues due to low estrogen with pain and burning??

[HellyLlewelly]

Sorry you are poorly.

What is atrophy?

Im 7 months post Op and have vaginal tingling from last week, assuming its thrush but I never had it pre op.

I am having bowel issues as I had a bowel shave due to endometriosis.

Lots of back pain in the flank area on left, terrible gas at nights (room clearing deafening stuff)

And pain is unbearable.

Im sorry no one has answered your post.

I put a post up too and need advice but its also gone unanswered. Its so hard being alone in all these health queeries.

I hope you get help soon.

Im seeing my GP tomorrow.

How did you find out your oestrogen is at 70?

I have not been given a test yet.

Im all a bit up in the air with this all.

Regards

Helly.

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

Hi HellyLlewelly

I’ve just replied to your previous post. Did you get anywhere with your GP?

Atrophy is the drying and thinning of vagina and urinary tract skins and tissues and can lead to soreness, pain and UTIs. The treatment is localised oestrogen and moisturisers and this is very effective in most women. Be careful about which moisturisers you use. Go for natural and plant based, such as YES. This article is worth reading on the subject. menopausedoctor.co.uk/menop...

I expect PinkRuby meant her dosage of oestrogen is 70. If you’ve had your ovaries removed then you won’t have any natural oestrogen of your own so HRT is the only way to get it. Skin patches are best.

Hope you feel well soon xx

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Thank you RachaelE Ive replied on the other post, thanjs for the very interesting article. I had a HRT patch slip out of place and kind of folded back on itself, that night or night after (wear patch for 3/4 days so unsure when it became unstuck partly) I was scratching myself in my sleep ans my vagina was sore and a bit raw the nect day which then led to thrush like symptoms thankfully all resolved wheb my new patch went on and treatment with Canestan cream too.

Bit of a few rotten weeks..

Im having problems with sweating and my patches have moved or became folded or half attached I am a sweaty person and it has all increased with the surgical menopause. Im contemplating jumping to tablet form purely because of thus and the feelung my levels are up and down with the patch coming away, unstuck or just that 3/4 day changeover being late or the like. I take other pills daily so it would be no problem. The patches have also been leaving me with a slight rash too.

Ive let the care of myself slio a bit with other priorities going on at home but Im now referred to a HRT clinic as my Dr seemed to understand I have managenent issues of my HRT and unfortunately they dont seem to know much, 2 GP's at my practice have really just been going along with what the specialist prescribed post op and thats that. They also want the centre to read my bloods as far as the hormone profile is concerned as they said they couldnt interpret them?

Being in the NHS post hysterectomy is not easy.

I feel like if I ask for a pessary of estrogen or testosterone I may aswell ask them for a flight to Mars with a ticket for a stop on the moon thrown in for good measure.

I like the idea of going to my young male Dr and telling him I have a dry vagina and absolutely 0 sex drive atm! Lol lol ha ha...

Thank you x

H. X

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

Hi Helly

I used to find my patches rumpled up when I wore them on my bum. They used to catch on the waist band of my knickers when I was gardening! I now wear them on my hip and find that much better. I’m sure the menopause clinic will advise you and your GPs on the correct treatment. Lucky you for being referred. Clinics are few and far between! Most women benefit from the oestrogen pessary is it’s definitely worth a try. I don’t think I’d be able to walk or sit down without my pessary and moisturisers. Even so, some days can be very sore and I just have to find a comfortable position.

Take care

Rachael x

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Thank you sobmuch for the great advice Rachel.

I guess some discomforts we just gotta put up with!

Yes, my GP said no to begin with assuming as I had surgical menopause that the clinic wouldn't suit me so I got back on the phone to the consultants secretary and she said ask your GP to refer you there using myself as a reference, there is no reason why your GP shouldn't make the referral (seeing as none of them seem to be knowledgeable on the hrt) plus do the blood hormone profile test ((as I said to the secretary need I pay private again for this?)) as we can read them by the time you get referred we will have them. My GP insists he can test but they cannot interpret them!

Nothing is simple or straightforward.

Thank you

Helly

X.

[RachaelE]

It could well be vaginal atrophy or urogenital atrophy as they prefer to call it these days. It’s caused by lack of oestrogen which dries up the skin and tissues and leads to pain, soreness, UTIs and sensitive bladder type symptoms. The standard treatment is localised oestrogen in the form of a pessary, creams or a ring placed in the vagina and moisturisers. This can be added on top of your HRT and is completely safe as it’s only local. I’d thoroughly recommend getting a copy of Jane Lewis’s book, Me and My Menopausal Vagina which is one woman’s journey with vaginal atrophy. You could also read this article by Dr Louise Newson, a menopause expert.

menopausedoctor.co.uk/menop...

If you decide to use a moisturiser, which I’d recommend, be careful about ingredients. Some contain ingredients that cause soreness and thrush amongst other things. Look for natural, plant based products, such as YES.

I hope you feel well soon. Xx