this is my first time here. im looking for answers. i suddenly developed at christmas an irritable bladder. like utis, but constant. burning crotch, very unhappy bladder if anything is in it, as if it was full of poison, or battery acid. spasms. dr gave 2 rounds of antibio. still have same problem. she put me on premarin cream [ive been on it over a month] saying it is atrophic vaginitis, tho i have had no vaginal problems. no leaking urine either. i am taking cranberry pills, and pumpkin seed oil caps. going to go crazy with no bladder/crotch peace. worried about the estrogen since i had a bloodclot in '87, but cant live with these symptoms either. is the dr right, that this urogenital problem is part of menopause?? oh, help, im miserable!

Welcome to Power Surge Leatha, If you can, come to the guest chat in the main chat room tonight at 9PM EST. Your question will be a very good one to ask Dr. Rosenfeld. If it is determined that estrogen cream is the correct treatment, you will want to check out the natural estrogen creams. There is a great deal of information on this site about the difference between premarin and natural estrogen. Good luck and hope to see you at the chat tonight. ~Helen

Leatha, I had that too. I used the estrogen vaginal cream, and it helped. You can also use the Estring, which stays put in there, but you have to change it I think every couple of months. It's a pain, isn't it? Hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Meryl

leatha, I have had interstitial cystitis, a condition which includes all the symptoms you mention, for about 10 years. You may or may not have this condition, but you should definitely go to the website of the Interstial Cystitis Association (ICA): ichelp.com, and read what they have to say. I suffered for 2 years (constantly irritated bladder with no UTI's present) before I was accurately diagnosed. I sympathize with you - having bladder discomfort is extremely upsetting, and affects much of what you can do. There are treatments available that you can try, and I have to say that over the years my symptoms have calmed down dramatically; I hear other people say this, too, so don't be too discouraged. You may be able to help yourself immediately by being careful about eating any acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes, many fruits) - they may irritate your bladder. Do NOT drink cranberry juice, and I'm a little concerned about your cranberry tablets. The ICA has a good lists of food you can experiment with leaving out of your diet, to see if you are helped. With interstitial cystitis, the bladder lining, for some reason, has become compromised and is "leaky," so that acidy foods can seep into the deeper, nerve-rich layers, causing discomfort and spasming, and frequent urination. When I have "flare-ups," I immediately begin drinking lots of pure water (not carbonated), and I'll take several TUMS to alkalinize my urine - you might try this, too. (According to the manufacturer, it is safe to take up to 12 TUMS per day.) Again, you may NOT have this condition - it's fairly rare, but it is worth talking to your doctor about it, and if your symptoms continue, perhaps see a urologist to be tested for it. Also, to give you hope, I know of several people who've had awful bladder symptoms over some course of time, only to have them completely disappear. I'm praying this is the case for you!!

Hello, This is my first post on this site. I was diagnosed this week with atrophic vaginitis and put on estrogen cream and urelle for the pain and spasms. It started out like a uti but has now been continuing for about 3 weeks. It has gotten a bit better but drives me crazy always feeling like I have to urinate. I hope someone can give me some encouragement that this will get better and even go away. It is starting to cause a general feeling of anxiety and even a panic attack or two when I cannot sleep at night without sedating myself. Can someone help?

bmeredith101

bmeridith101 Hi, i constantly have a feeling of of wanting to go to the toilet. Yes feels like uti but tests show it is not. I told the doc that this is driving me crazy and he told me to buy cranberry juice.I never thought he would say that as he is too conventional. he also gave me medication called HIPREX in Australia taken every day as a prevention treatment. you can maybe search the web under that name. The juice does work if i get real desperate than i just pop the medication as well but not everyday as the juice seems to do the trick. With respect to the anxiety its causing you at night try heating a wheat bag or put a hot water bottle in the general area of discomfort to ease the feeling. It will go away!!!

Hope this helps, renika

Hi Renika,

Never thought of a hot water bottle, I will definately try it. I have since been diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis and put on estrogen cream. I tried cranberry juice early on and it made the inflammation in my urethra much worse so quit it completely. In fact have quit all tea, coffee, chocolate, acidic fruits and veges and am living on a bland diet. It is quieting down but now has left a cycle of anxiety attacks starting late afternoon anticipating bedtime. Always with the thought "what if it comes back, what if the meds don't work tonight, what if I spend another night walking the floor or lying in bed trying to sleep" . Hopefully once I can trust that it isn't going to be that bad again I can resolve these other fears.

Thank you so much for replying, hope all is going better for you also. Nothing worse than having our "normal" life taken from us and being robbed of sleep.

Thanks again!
Beverly

Wow-this is interesting. I had this problem a few years back and none of my doctors could figure it out. I went to a uroligist, gyn etc. I seem fine now. I think it lasted about 2 years for me. What we learn on this site is priceless.

Mopsy

Hi All,
The burning urethra was my introduction to perimenopause, and I agree it's the pits! I was put on antibiotics for a year, told it was probably interstitial cystitis, which freaked me out, told it was "female urinary syndrome" or some other such meaningless thing, and basically kicked around with no relief until I found a female naturopath who diagnosed it as low estrogen and put me on a bio-identical cream, which completely cleared it up. I still use the cream, but less often and not as much of it. Should probably be weaning myself off to see if it's even an issue anymore. The year of antibiotics seriously messed up my intestinal flora, so if I had it to do over again I'd go for the hormone cream first to see if that does the trick.

I everyone I am a newbie here


Oh Lord I have a burning sensation on my Clitoral area. It doesn't hurt when I pea. But hurts until I pea and a little afterwards. I have had many symptoms over the lat year. Because of vaginal dryness and perineum swelling I have been placed on eistrol topical vaginal cream (hrt). Every day for three weeks and then twice a week since.

Tonight will be my twice a week second application in the 4th week. A little break through bleeding at first but non since.
I had an Ice pack on my vaginal area because of itching for 5 weeks previously! I wondering if I have damaged my nerves. I have an appointment with Consultant feb 13th who is keeping an eye on my inflamed perinium

My symptoms have been in the last two years I am 47
Period reduced to once every 8 to ten weeks
Internal Shakes
Hot sweats - Not so bad now
Palpitations
Crying for absolutely everything
Worry
Scared and p*ssed of with this pain in the end of my vulva

Does any one else expereince this pain.

Gayn

Where the heck is our vulva?

Gayn,

Have you found anything that helps with the itching? I was plagued with this daily for 10 YEARS, and one day it just went away. Just like that!

The only thing that helped me was Benedryl cream. Vaginal itching just wears us down!

Has the clitoral pain been SINCE you started using the estriol cream? I'm wondering if it could be irritating things? Or was it burning before you got on the cream? At any rate, it wouldn't hurt to speak with your doc about this.

Hope you get some relief soon. It's very distracting to have discomfort "down there."

JJ

Hello Ann
The Vulva is the area between your legs You know that part that covers the clitoras *Giggles

oliejacq
The itching isn't really a problem now its the sore clitoral pain that is realy getting me down.

I have spoken to my Doctor today and he looked down there. No signs apart from being a little dry..
I have the need to urinate frequently and when he did the water test it was mid way between a water infection and not so.

He is sending me for full bloods and I will start tablets for a water infection after I have had the fasting blood tests done on Monday.

I did have the pain in my clitoral area on and of over the 5 weeks my vulva was itching.. But since the itching has cleared up the pain seems to be there most of the time..it seems to be mostly down the left side.. Grrrrr with myself AND GAWD HELP ME I feel so scared and alone

Thanks for your support I am in real need of this.
Nice to meet you both

Hi, I fully understand your despair. I have constant burning in the urethra/vaginal/bladder area and a very sensitive sensation , almost like being 'aroused'. I sometimes have pain around the vulva and like you, feel it is coming from the left. I feel that I have an iritable bladder, but have had all the tests and swabs, and am all clear.

I am using Ovestin estriol cream and am about to leave off it to see if that is irritating me now...

I don't want to play this game any more.

Hello, everyone!

I am soooooo glad to have found this site, because I have started to go crazy with bladder problems that might be related to menopause (that's my own theory). My periods have become somewhat irregular - but I've had urinary problems that have been awful. It started about a month ago, with I started to feel like I had pressure in my bladder - or urethra - and this problem has been fairly constant, thus far. I've had a urine test and culture (to check for a UTI), and both were clear, with no bacteria present. Then, I decided to have my beloved gyn check me. He examined me manually, and also checked for yeast - and again, nothing. And, of course, on the day I went to see him, I felt fine. This problem seems to flare up every few days, or every other day, to some degree.

It's just pressure down in/around my urethra, feelings of needing to urinate, sore urethra and bladder (I think the bladder, too), and sometimes I think it's vaginal. It's enough to make me cry my eyes out, which is not hard to do these days - because it feels like my whole body is crying.

I couldn't get an appointment with a urologist until the end of next week - and of course, I have all kinds of fears about what he might diagnose. --- I have started a few herbal supplements, and I'm trying to watch my intact of acids, caffeine, etc. - but nothing has helped, so far.

So, here I am, reading what everyone else has to say. At least I'm not the only person going through this. It is MADDENING.

It's just pressure down in/around my urethra, feelings of needing to urinate, sore urethra and bladder (I think the bladder, too), and sometimes I think it's vaginal. It's enough to make me cry my eyes out, which is not hard to do these days - because it feels like my whole body is crying.

Hi,

This was one of my very first symptoms of peri but of course I didn't know at the time. I had all the necessary tests done.
I went to see my gyn for it and he said it could be due to varicose vains on the uterus. They have to say something, dont'they?
Anyway I have had this for about a year and now, thank God, I only have it once in a while and I KNOW it's hormones wich makes all the difference.

Nic

Hi, Nic -

Thanks for your reply. Varicose veins on the uterus??? LOL. That's a new one.

I know I'm solidly peri-menopausal, but I honestly think I'd rather have hot flashes (which I've had none of, so far) than to go through this bladder/urethra stuff, which is so, SO hard to deal with. --- I've looked up various treatments, etc., and I don't want to do anything like HRT or bio-identical therapy, because I've read very controversial reports about both of those types of therapies. But if either of those work for someone else, that's fine. For myself, though, I've started taking Tums (see above, in one comment), Benadryl, and herbal supplements, combined with some soy.

I just hope my urologist doesn't find anything troublesome there. That is my only worry. Otherwise, I guess I have no choice but to tough it out and hope this will all go away . . .

Hi....What is a water infection? I hope you find relief.

Deb

More waiting . . . (sigh)

I've had such problems with my bladder/urethra, lately - and I was supposed to see a urologist this Friday afternoon - but, my internist suggested I see a younger doctor, because my urologist is quite aged and really needs to retire. (He is rather crochety at times.)

Okay, so I cancelled my Friday appt. with the old doctor (who really should retire), and I asked my internist's office to get me an appt. with a new urologist. Well, I got a call this morning from my internist office, and they DID get me an appt. with the new urologist, but it's not until April 10th!!!

Good golly. How on earth will I be able to stand these symptoms until then???? I wish the anti-inflammatory (that my internist prescribed) would start helping me feel better.

Hello, Ladies -

Well, I finally got to see a urologist today. Here's what's happened to date: Since Feb. 1st or so, my internist has tested my urine, twice, and cultured it, and found nothing - and yet, these horrible symptoms still persisted - BUT, that my internist finally prescribed an antibiotic last week (just to hold me over until I saw the urologist). Okay. Well, I started to feel a bit better. Today, I felt pretty darn good, except for the nervousness of seeing the urologist.

So, I told the urologist what was going on, and he checked my urine and found a few white blood cells in there, which means that I might have had an infection in there. He also looked at me (not inside the urethra), but just sort of looked at it and around it - and he then wrote me out a prescription for a few extra days of the antibiotic and also gave me some Premarin.

Well, after feeling pretty good today, tonight the pressure and soreness is back, just in my urethra. I don't know if it's because I have interstitial cystitis now, or if the urethra is just sore because the doc looked at me, or what. I don't know now if the medicine will keep working and relieve this . . . I just don't know.

This is so discouraging. I'm so tired of this. --- I've read up on that Premarin, and I'm really afraid to use it, so I don't think I will.

We'll see how long all of this mess continues with me . . .

Hi Bugaboo
This is a subject near to my heart as I am a fellow sufferer. I do not have interstitial cystitis as far as I know. But I have posted before about the bladder symptoms, since entering perimenopause.
The fact that the urologist did not propose to do a cystoscopy, and prescribed premarin for you, is proof that he recognises it to be hormonal. I wholeheartedly agree with this. My doc always suggests a cystoscopy, which I have resisted, as I feel it will show nothing, and I just know that it is hormonal. I have the exact symptoms you describe. They are lessening now, but it was a severe problem a few months ago. When I get an attack, I could be in and out of the bathroom for hours. I fill a pint glass with water, take 2 paracetamol, and chew 2 rennie tabs - an antacid. After a while it subsides. And as I say, it is much less frequent these days than it was, Thank God.

During early pregnancy, the first sign is often bladder irritablity too. Also I often think that the laboratory tests should measure the biochemistry of the urine, at this time, rather than the bacteriology. I think it would show that the urine contains substances like FSH, which is raised hugely, and LH too. We change chemically at this time. I have bought urine test lab strips, and when an attack happens it always shows the urine to be at the most acidic point. That is why it stings and burns long after going to the toilet.

All I can conclude is that this happens when the hormones are at a particular level in their gradual drop, and it is all part of the process. Obviously, looking at older women, this does not seem to continue on an ongoing basis, although of course our bladders will never be the same as in our 20's!

I must just add that hormones are not an option for me, due to family history of breast cancer, so I try to think of this menopause as a natural process, that I must go through 'cold turkey'!

Sorry for the long ramble, hope some of these thought are helpful.
love
Alfreda

Hello. everyone. I posted a while back about two trips to the Emergency Room with what I was positive was a UTI. I then went to my regular doctor, broke down from all of the trauma of the past four years or so, and was ultimately told to resume the Premarin cream, as well as begin taking Zoloft for all of the anxiety that has surfaced over the years.

Back in October, I was diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis and the Premarin helped me immensely. As you will read in my post, I stopped taking the Premarin. The symptoms described here are the exact symptoms that have caused me so much heartache. Burning vaginal area. The urge to urinate. Irritated urethra. The emotional impact this has had upon me is overwhelming. To be honest, I was literally beginning to doubt my sanity. I was so sure I had conquered all of this - and BANG I soon fell to my knees once again.

Today, things are much better. Though I feel defeated in some ways, I am giving the Zoloft a chance. Believe me when I tell you that this is a huge admission for me. I have been battling this anxiety for such a long time and I really thought I was winning. The Zoloft is not the cure - the success of my winning this battle is in my hands. I have been taking this medication for two weeks and I have to tell you that I feel stronger and less filled with panic. (I have been told it takes from two to six weeks to kick in and that when it does indeed "kick in" it is very subtle.)

Though I do not wish this dilemma on any of you wonderful ladies, it is comforting to know that I am not alone in this. You know, I cannot help but wonder what women did fifty years ago? How on earth did they contend with all of this? Were the women of yesterday much stronger than I am or is this the result of our evolution?

Love to everyone. Belinda

[quote name='BelindaMWO' date='Mar 7 2007, 02:52 PM' post='160692']
Hello. everyone. I posted a while back about two trips to the Emergency Room with what I was positive was a UTI. I then went to my regular doctor, broke down from all of the trauma of the past four years or so, and was ultimately told to resume the Premarin cream, as well as begin taking Zoloft for all of the anxiety that has surfaced over the years.

Back in October, I was diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis and the Premarin helped me immensely. As you will read in my post, I stopped taking the Premarin. The symptoms described here are the exact symptoms that have caused me so much heartache. Burning vaginal area. The urge to urinate. Irritated urethra. The emotional impact this has had upon me is overwhelming. To be honest, I was literally beginning to doubt my sanity. I was so sure I had conquered all of this - and BANG I soon fell to my knees once again.

Today, things are much better. Though I feel defeated in some ways, I am giving the Zoloft a chance. Believe me when I tell you that this is a huge admission for me. I have been battling this anxiety for such a long time and I really thought I was winning. The Zoloft is not the cure - the success of my winning this battle is in my hands. I have been taking this medication for two weeks and I have to tell you that I feel stronger and less filled with panic. (I have been told it takes from two to six weeks to kick in and that when it does indeed "kick in" it is very subtle.)

Though I do not wish this dilemma on any of you wonderful ladies, it is comforting to know that I am not alone in this. You know, I cannot help but wonder what women did fifty years ago? How on earth did they contend with all of this? Were the women of yesterday much stronger than I am or is this the result of our evolution?

Love to everyone. Belinda

Hi....

I have just started using Vagifem vaginal tablets for atrophic vaginitis and am beginning to notice an improvement. I don't want to say it too loudly!

I used Ovestin cream for 5 months, but became very sensitive to it. It appeared to be causing the very problems it was supposed to be solving - burning vaginal area, irritated urethra, urge etc. I left off everything for 4 weeks and the dryness came back big time, so I switched to Vagifem.

I know what you mean about worrying about using HRT, but for me there doesn't seem to be an alternative. I am 14 years menopausal at the tender age of 53 and I do need to do something. Grrr!!

Hello, Everyone - Thank you for your replies to me.

It is 1:30 a.m., and I am still up, with tears in my eyes, unable to sleep from the urethral discomfort. So, I thought I'd come here and post a few comments, to maybe take my mind off the discomfort for a few minutes.

Alfreda, thank you for your comments. I don't know what to think about my situation, or my visit with the urologist. I have felt like I've had a UTI, complete with a few other symptoms I've had with a previous UTI, some years back. But, I'm not sure. The urologist did say that there were a few white blood cells in my urine, a couple of days ago - and I guess that means my body has been fighting something or other . . . so, he's kept me on the Cipro for another week or so, and he said that if I hadn't improved by then, he would take a look up in there. I honestly don't know what he's thinking - but maybe you're right, in that he suspects this to be a hormonal thing (possibly in addition to some type of infection).

I'm going crazy from this - I just know I am. I don't know whether 1) - I have a lowgrade infection that's not responding to the medicine I'm taking (Cipro); 2) - I have a serious problem up in there; or 3) - this is a hormonal thing that is behind all of the symptoms. I just don't know, but I so tired of dealing with this. I thought that the Cipro was helping, but tonight I'm having my doubts. --- I sure hope we all can get past this - all of us here who are suffering.

Hormones are not an option for me, either, simply because I'm afraid of them. I'd rather suffer this out (I think), than to risk possibly causing myself harm from any kind of HRT. I don't know what "paracetamol" or "rennie" tablets are . . . I'll have to look those up online. --- I hope this IS just all part of the process and that it will all stop soon.

Hi, Belinda - I hear you! The emotional impact of this is very severe. I feel like I've had very little quality of life lately, because I'm in so much discomfort. I refuse to take HRT, but I don't know what else to do. --- I, too, have thought of taking some sort of anti-anxiety medication, just to calm my anxiety (which has worsened from this mess). I worry that the urologist might find some horrible problem, I worry that this will never go away, I worry that I might be "drying up" into a little, shriveled up old lady. We all know that there's really no place in this society for shriveled up old ladies. I want my body back. I NEVER used to have these kinds of problems. --- Belinda, I, too, am glad we're all in this together and can share our thoughts and fears here.

Hi, Scriv - I'm going to look up the Vagifem you mentioned. Today, while I was in the health-food store, I got to talking with the owner of the store, and she recommended a "natural" progesterone cream by a company named, "Emerita." I almost bought some . . . but when she mentioned that I shouldn't use it during my period, because it would make the bleeding heavier, I decided not to buy it, but to look it up online. I need to do that, too.

Honestly, I don't know what will help me with this. When I was at my gynecologist's office last month (talking to him about these problems), why didn't he diagnose me with atrophic vaginitis? I don't know.

Girls, I pray for strength. I'm comforted to know that I'm not the only person going through this hell. I hope we can all feel better, SOON.

Hi, Scriv - I'm going to look up the Vagifem you mentioned. Today, while I was in the health-food store, I got to talking with the owner of the store, and she recommended a "natural" progesterone cream by a company named, "Emerita." I almost bought some . . . but when she mentioned that I shouldn't use it during my period, because it would make the bleeding heavier, I decided not to buy it, but to look it up online. I need to do that, too.


The problem is that Vagifem is a topical ERT. Sorry! Some does get into the system, but it is supposed to be too weak to do any damage, but if you still have your uterus, you are recommended to take some progesterone as well. I have had a hysterectomy, so do not need to do this.

If you google 'Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis' you will come across a fascinating article by the aafp (American Association of Family Physicians?). This may help you decide if you do have this. It does make you more vunerable to bladder/uretra problems - and blood in the urine,but no infection. I am talking with experience here!!

I have read that Premarin cream can cause bladder/urethral irritation in some sensitive people.It is a very personal thing. Good luck.

Thank you, Scriv. I'll go find that article and take a look at it. Also, I'm going to look into topical treatments, and maybe I can find something that doesn't seem dangerous to use. I've already decided not to use the Premarin.

Basically, I'm in the dark here, trying to figure out what is wrong with me and how to deal with it. I'm pretty sure much of this is due to a change in my hormones.

Hi Bugaboo
Just to say that during last year I was on and off antibiotics too. I had two long term ones, macrofuridantin, and ciproxin, for approx 6 weeks each. Urine tests had shown infection at times, and clear at other times, it was very confusing. The last one was a short term broad spectrum one called augmentin duo, for 5 days, and in my opinion was probably the best one.

But since last October I have been coping with less and less attacks of this, and when it does strike, I just increase my fluids, take paracetamol, they are over the counter painkillers,( I think the equivalent in USA may be tylenol?) and 2 rennies (basic antacid tabs). It goes away without the antibiotic, which makes me wonder if these attacks are infections at all. Or maybe the chemical changes we are going through make us prone to more infections at this time??? Or maybe a bit of both. I keep a specimen bottle in the house, so that I can take an early morning sample to the doc, if I have a bad night, just to keep a check on the urine anyway.

It is a very distressing complaint I know, I cannot hold even a conversation with anyone when I am going through it! But it is going away, and now only the odd day troubles me, Thank God. It will be the same for you too, I feel sure. There are so many posts here about this very thing. And I suspect many people suffer and never talk about it.

By the way, I am 51 and still having periods, although have skipped one twice last year. The last one was very scary, large clots etc, I thought I would have to have an emergency hysterectomy!
Blood tests are showing post menopausal levels, and I have had an ultrasound by gyno which was normal. So that is where I am at.

Hope you get some peace from this soon,
Alfreda

Hi, Alfreda! Thanks, so much, for writing here again!

I truly appreciate having you and the other posters here for me. At least I know that someone else out there knows what I'm going through.

Yesterday I felt sort of okay. This morning I was very tired (maybe from the antiobiotics), but this afternoon I've felt a little better. I don't want to get too excited about that, though, because it's just been up and down for me. When the urologist tested my urine (last Tues.), he said I had a few white blood cells in there - so, I know I've been fighting something or other. But, I think you're right - that we're going through chemical changes, somehow, and maybe we're more prone to infections, and maybe some of what we're feeling has nothing to do with an infection. I don't know. I just don't know.

This whole thing has really been a mess for me. It's scary, it's discouraging - and like you said, when the pain has been intense, I've been unable to do much of anything. It's really very disruptive to have such intense urethral pain.

I have another week of Cipro to take, and I sure hope my urologist keeps me on some sort of antiobiotic, at least for a little while longer. I'm also taking acidophilus capsules, to help balance out my system (good bacteria and all) from the effects of the Cipro.

I am 50 years old, still have my periods, although it's almost been six weeks (?) since the last one. I, too, have had clots - and that's scary, too. You know, I just wish all of this would stop - the periods, the symptoms, everything. I haven't had any blood tests, yet, or an ultrasound - but I suppose I'm firmly in perimenopause.

Are you having other symptoms? I haven't had hot flashes or night sweats (yet), but I think I'd gladly have both of them if I could avoid this urethral/bladder nightmare.

Bugaboo

I just got over a UTI - bloody urine, wracking pain. They are zero fun, especially at 3 a. m.

The cure was buckets of water, cranberry juice and antibiotics, which happily, I had on hand.

My doctor put me on premarin in Feb/06 for acute vaginal dryness. He discontinued it in July, when he started me on the mini patch. I immediately had problems and went back for more. The patch was upped in September, the cream discontinued. Boom! more yeast infections and uti's, right up to now. I should have asked the doc for premarin again, but frankly, I was fed up to the back teeth with begging for help, and being offered ADs. ADs don't work down there. I asked for a referral to a gyno instead.

I'm on estrogen tablets now, and its better - but not perfect. My gyno suggested Estring, and when I see him, I'll ask. This is miserable.

** Here's what you should know

Premarin cream contains estiol. Its the weakest of the three estrogens, and applied topically (ie, to the vagina and to the vulva, utheria etc) it tackles the problem there, and does not migrate to the liver nor to the breast. Doctors regard it as safe. One may not care for the fact that its horse urine, but the fact is, its safe. And sadly, estiol is the only relief you're likely to get, because whether its from yams or horses, the reason that your sore there is from a depletion of estiol which results in a thinning of tissues. That means the utheria and clitoris are more exposed, more likely to be chaffed by clothing and at greater risk for infection. By using the estiol, you can 'plump' up the tissues, and restore some of the lost density to protect those delicate organs.

It annoys me no flipping end that journalists were publishing the stuff they wrote in such a way as to frighten women to the point where they would risk their health on an endless go-'rounds of antibiotics rather than address the issue. Sorry Bugaboo, I'll dismount that high horse now....

Hi, Duch -

I sure hope you're feeling better. What a horrendous thing for you to have to go through! I feel for you. I haven't actually seen blood in my urine (due to any UTI), but I think I would pass out from fright if I did.

I'm not put off by the Premarin because it's made from horse urine - but it's just that I've read conflicting reports about it. Some say it's safe, some say it's dangerous. I do feel the way you do - that we "thin out" down there, and that's why we start feeling sore, etc., and are more vulnerable to infections, etc. But I'm so doggone afraid to use any type of hormone treatment, that I just don't know what to do here. Yesterday, I was tired but then perked up a bit - but this morning I awoke feeling slightly achey in the urethra, which just worries me (and discourages me) to no end!

You're not alone in your misery. I've been miserable, too. It feels like my whole life has stopped because of this nonsense down there. I'm just sick of it! It's been a hamster wheel for me - pain, then maybe feeling better, then more pain, then maybe feeling better, and then worry, worry, worry. And then, after all of that, I just cry my head off.

You know what I'm sick of, besides being sick?? I'm sick of the fact that women have been guinea pigs for these doctors who don't know enough about women/hormones, etc., to properly treat them! --- I still have the Premarin on my kitchen counter (what a place for it, huh?? LOL) - and I'm not throwing it out until/unless I make up my mind about it. Oh, I don't know. I just want to feel better.

And I'm wondering . . . if Premarin is safe enough, and if it does relieve the problem, does that mean that a person will have to use it from here on out? What about older ladies? - the women who are in their 60s, 70s, and beyond . . . How do they handle these problems? Or, is this urinary/bladder/urethra discomfort something that goes away after menopause??

Hi, yes, thanks, I felt fine the next day as I have adequate meds kicking around the house.

As to the issue of duration of use for premarin, I honestly couldnt say. I started because of acute vaginal dryness. I couldn't take the dogs for a two mile walk without risking something bad happening. No one can live like that. My doctor said ;here, use Premarin, and that the stuff often 'kick started the system'. He advised me to use 2 grams on day 1 and 4, (nothing in between) 1.5 grams on days 7 and 10, 1.0 grams on days 13, 16, 19 and 0.5 every 3rd day until the 14 gram tube was exhausted. I had an infection as the tube reached, I think the 1.5 gram level. At that time, the urinary tract was fine. but dryness was awful, and dr put me on the cream at 2 grams every day, until the patch started. As I said, that was not as cool as one would have liked, and the infections kept coming back, with uti's a little later in the year. My feeling is that stopping using the cream allowed further thinning of the tissues, and began to include the UTIs over and above Yeast infections. What fun. I cannot tell you how delightful Christmas shopping was, by the way. My feeling is, and this is a guess, that it will be on-going, for me at least.

Tinkywinkybug has a line on some excelleant ointment, made from marigolds, I believe, which is helpful in the chaffing department, but for me, the issue is deteriation of the situation - ie tissue thinning, over time, and that's why I'll look at the Estring. This is a ring inserted high up, and it secretes estiol for 90 days. The cream is a little tricky (getting it out of the tube - it comes out a little too fast, so you tend to over use).

Ask Tinks about the ointment, but I'd hang onto the Premarin creme. And I wouldn't worry about the safety issue. Your doctor ought to be able to answer your questions to re-assure you. Good luck, Bugs, this peri stuff is a real trial, isn't it?

I've posted this on another thread so I'll be brief. I have really severe vaginal dryness so I went back on the Vagifem. About six weeks into the meds my vagina got red and very sore again and the horrible frequency to pee with burning happened again. Back to the urgent care doc for yet another pelvic exam just to hear that I have atrophic vaginitis not a bladder infection so on top of the Vagifem I now have to use Estrace cream for the "entrance" and surrounding outer areas. I am seeing a gyno tomorrow as I hate to use so much estrogen but it is the only thing that helps me. I'm glad to read that this bladder thing gets better with time, at least for some of you as this is a nightmare . Take care!

With all that Cipro and no antifungals, you may have developed a yeast infection. I have had them without the cottage cheese discharge. Just horrible burning. If I have to take any antibiotic for 3 days or more, I always get an antifungal because I always get a secondary infection. Also, it could be a case of bacterial vaginosis. Antibiotics kill off the good and the bad flora. If you kill off the good, the vagina gets out of whack (including pH) and the bad bacteria/fungus (which are there all the time waiting for a chance to overgrow like when you disturb their balance) gets a foothold and overgrows.

One thing I've used is boric acid inserts. Do a search on the net for yeast infection, boric acid and you will get more info on how to use them. You make them yourself. I found boric acid at my local pharmacy. Sometimes you have to ask for it. Sometimes it's behind the counter at the pharmacy (no prescription needed though).

I went through this very cycle for years...antibiotics/yeast/bacterial infection/antibiotics etc. Now I just get it here and there like today. Urethral burning again. I hope this gets better with time. I am the only lucky female in my family to have gotten this part of peri-menopause.

Lynn

Hi, Everyone - Duch, Shakti, Toobusy - and everyone else -

Today I've had more urethra acheyness - nothing horrible, but still there. I really think the skin is drying, or something. I don't know. (sigh) Plus, I'm feeling as if my period might come. Not sure about that, either, but I have that sort of crampy feeling. --- WHY should I have to put up with both? - periods and perimenopause symptoms at the same time???

Duch, I definitely will ask Tinkywinkybug about that ointment, assuming I can find her here. Thank you for telling me about that. As to the Premarin, I read a little more about it today, and I'm still finding conflicting reports. So, I just don't know what to think about it.

Shakti, I may be developing some atrophy of the vaginal areas, too. I'm not sure, but it does feel dry - or kind of weird - up in there. I should probably go see my gynecologist, too - but I just saw him three weeks ago. Why didn't he tell me what to expect?? Why didn't he talk to me about different alternatives?? He's a great doctor, and he's been my doctor for 30 years, but he hasn't given me any advice or said a thing to me about what I might experience at this time in my life.

Toobusy, I was just checked three weeks ago, by my gyn., for yeast - and he didn't find any. BUT, I have been on that Cipro now for over a week, so I could very well be developing something up in there. Aaarrrrgh!!! However, I don't feel any symptoms of that, yet . . . I am taking acidophilus capsules daily, in the hopes that those will help - and I'd love to start drinking cranberry juice, but I'm afraid it might make the discomfort (urethral acheyness) more intense. Maybe not. --- And, I guess I could have bacterial vaginosis, but all of this started before I ever took the Cipro.

So, there it is. I'm as upset and confused as anyone else here. I'm glad we can all talk about it together, though, and maybe comfort each other a little as we go through this.

Sweet Bugaboo,
I just pm'd you the info on the ointment. You know your symtpoms sound exactly to what I would get.
Especially before my period it would feel quite intense.
I do take the Acidiophilus and you can also add Activia yogurt to it.
I also take cranberry capsules called Super cranactin bu solaray.
I do drink cranberry juice everyday and have for years in moderation with my meals.
If I get an episode in the UTI area I apply heat tohelp with the inflamation to.
I stopped coffee and dark sodas because they are an irratant to al that area.
I use replens for the dryness and Calendula ointment.
I have found relief on my own because 3 gynos and 2 docs couldnt figure it out except to give me Hrt's and I knew there was something out there that had to help me.
Now if it ever got so bad that I had to take those creams I would have to but after alot of trial and error I have it in control.
This new thing I found the Ointment is heaven sent for now.
Hope you find relief I think this is one of the worst symptoms of peri.
Tinkybug

Thank you, Tinkybug!!

I just pme-ed you, too. I found the ointment online, so I'm going to try to order it. Also, I'm going to look for cranberry capsules, and I'll also pick up some cranberry juice, along with the yogurt (not sure what/where Activia yogurt is, but I'll look for it, too).

I feel like I'm going through some sort of war here with this stuff I've had. So, I'm going to shower, get myself dressed, and go to the local healthfood store to get what I need to fight this thing. In the meantime, I'm still taking the Cipro (because I do think I had some kind of UTI) and acidophilus (to help the good bacteria along), and I've started a new vitamin program, as well.

Thanks, again, Tinky! Wish me luck. I just want to be past all of this and feel better again.

I just got back from my new Gyno and she is great! She reassured me that I am very normal with menopausal symptoms. It turns out that , yes I have atropic vaginitis as well as a bacterial overgrowth and I am allergic to something that I've been using She really likes the Vagifem for me and a bit of the Estrace to help out the outside area. She thinks that a bit of the normal vaginal bacteria has overgrown and entered into my ureatra (SP?) which feels a little like a bladder infection. She RXed me some metragel for the bacteria. The hard part is what am I allergic to? I tried a new fabric softener, love the Tinky salve, use Huggies wipes for the BMs and it could be I've developed a problem with my laundry soap or even something that I'm forgetting. I'll cease using all of the above, use the meds and we'll see what happens. Oh the joys of womenhood

Hi, Shakti -

Maybe having a female gyn. is better at this time in our lives. My gyn. is a male, and he's been my doctor for 30 years this year. I love him to pieces - he's a marvelous doc and excellent surgeon - BUT . . . but, it's impossible for him to know what I'm going through, because he can't know - he can't know because he's a man. --- Well, I possibly could have bacterial overgrowth, too, but I'm taking an antibiotic, so maybe it's helping with that. I don't know. All I know is that I'm taking enough stuff - antibiotics, vitamins, herbal supplements, acidophilus, cranberry capsules, etc. - to choke a horse. Oh, and I got some Tinky salve, too - it's not from the same company, but it's supposed to be very good. Did I mention that I'm using a mild Wild Yam cream, too? LOL.

I use Dreft (baby) soap on all of my wash - even on hubby's dirty clothes - and I never put my underthings in the dryer. I always air dry them. That way, they're not in the dryer with my fabric softener.

Yes, the "joys" of womanhood.

Hiya Shakti,
Glad you have a good doc they are hard to come by. Just want you to consider something I havent been suffering from my Vagina Astrophic thing for quite a few months now, and the only change was just sticking with the replens and washing the ol genie with Summers eve feminine wash. Now the kicker is that I stopped the replens to take a break and now am only using Calendula ointment by Hylands I can pm you more info.
Anyways I know sometimes the docs say becareful with the oils but this is derived from marigolds and is 50 times stronger than the vit E,
Do all what the doc says but if you arent better after try this you have nothing to lose.
All I know is that I am no longer in pain, somehow it mellowed out the ol girl, and even a joyful moment isnt painful anymore either.
So just my humble opinion see what you think.
Tinkynut

Hi, Girls -

It's been awhile since I checked in here, so I thought I'd stop by. It has been touch and go here for me, with this urethra/bladder stuff. My "infection" (so the doctor said) was cleared up, and I've had some good days - but I'm still plagued by achey urethra problems. I'm just hoping I don't have another infection.

My mother gave me an article about home remedies, and it suggests taking Alka Seltzer to get rid of a UTI. I'm thinking that since Alka Seltzer neutralizes acids in the digestive system, it probably works to neutralize acid in the bladder, as well. It seems to work, somewhat - but I haven't had complete relief. (Maybe that's because I haven't been taking the AS on a regular basis, so that might be why I haven't noticed more relief.)

It's quite possible that I have IC (Interstitial Cystitis) - and in fact, the urologist even mentioned that as a possibility. (Sigh.) So, I'm going to take more AS and see how that works for me - but I will probably have to go back to see my urologist, if my symptoms don't ease up, soon.

My periods have become irregular, so I know I have hormonal stuff going on down there. So, I'm on that merry-go-round of "Infection? Hormonal? IC??"

Bugaboo,

I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis in 1992. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like any info.

(((HUGS))) Bladder discomfort is horrible!

JJ

Thank you, JJ! I will do so.