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What Causes Vaginal Atrophy After Taking Birth Control Pill?
Question: I was taking the bc pill APRI for 4 years...
I was taking the bc pill APRI for 4 years and then thought I had a nasty UTI back in mid April. Was treated with antibiotics, which didn't help much, but felt like it was getting a bit better. UTI actually turned up negative. Went to mayo clinic - Was diagnosed with vaginal atrophy from use of the bc pill. I've taken 11vagifem pills over the course of 5 weeks.
1. A month later, I'm still having urethral discomfort - a general overall soreness that is better and worse at times; slight burning first thing in the morning; and feeling like I have to wee all the time even if I've just gone. However the dryness has improved a bit, but SLOWLY, but urethra and urinary issues remain. Gyno indicated that this will resolve spontaneously. Will this actually clear on its own? I've had one period so far and figure my body is producing estrogen. I just had an exam yesterday and was cleared of a yeast infection and he said things seem to be improving with the atrophy - however he wasn't clear why I still had urinary symptoms. He did an exam of the entire area and found nothing other than a skin issue with the clitoris that he gave me hydrocortisone cream for. Bladder empties fine he said. He refused to do another urine culture since previous tests were negative. I don't really have bladder pain like I've had with a UTI - the pain feels in the urethra and up to clitoris and feels like I need to urinate most of the time. Feels better while standing. Cleared of all STD's and clear pelvic ultrasound. I have only ever had one UTI in my life before this in 2013 that turned into kidney infection, but it cleared after treatment. I've NOT been sexually active for 6 months. Could this just be a super irritated urethra from the "faux" UTI?
2. I have only taken 11vagifem pills thus far - but spread apart over a month - should I still be having these symptoms? I know in the information it can take up to 12 weeks to be effective? He just said that I can do the 2 week upload
3. Am I being impatient and just need to give it more time? I have no other physical health issues.
4. I have extreme anxiety and wondered if this could have brought a lot of this on? I've had very strange physical episodes in the past due to anxiety and panic. I know it is certainly not helping
I was taking the bc pill APRI for 4 years and then thought I had a nasty UTI back in mid April. Was treated with antibiotics, which didn't help much, but felt like it was getting a bit better. UTI actually turned up negative. Went to mayo clinic - Was diagnosed with vaginal atrophy from use of the bc pill. I've taken 11vagifem pills over the course of 5 weeks.
1. A month later, I'm still having urethral discomfort - a general overall soreness that is better and worse at times; slight burning first thing in the morning; and feeling like I have to wee all the time even if I've just gone. However the dryness has improved a bit, but SLOWLY, but urethra and urinary issues remain. Gyno indicated that this will resolve spontaneously. Will this actually clear on its own? I've had one period so far and figure my body is producing estrogen. I just had an exam yesterday and was cleared of a yeast infection and he said things seem to be improving with the atrophy - however he wasn't clear why I still had urinary symptoms. He did an exam of the entire area and found nothing other than a skin issue with the clitoris that he gave me hydrocortisone cream for. Bladder empties fine he said. He refused to do another urine culture since previous tests were negative. I don't really have bladder pain like I've had with a UTI - the pain feels in the urethra and up to clitoris and feels like I need to urinate most of the time. Feels better while standing. Cleared of all STD's and clear pelvic ultrasound. I have only ever had one UTI in my life before this in 2013 that turned into kidney infection, but it cleared after treatment. I've NOT been sexually active for 6 months. Could this just be a super irritated urethra from the "faux" UTI?
2. I have only taken 11vagifem pills thus far - but spread apart over a month - should I still be having these symptoms? I know in the information it can take up to 12 weeks to be effective? He just said that I can do the 2 week upload
3. Am I being impatient and just need to give it more time? I have no other physical health issues.
4. I have extreme anxiety and wondered if this could have brought a lot of this on? I've had very strange physical episodes in the past due to anxiety and panic. I know it is certainly not helping
Brief Answer:
Symptoms will resolve on their own in due course of time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your entire query in detail.
The symptoms in case are strongly related to reducing estrogen levels secondary to the onset of perimenopausal period.
Since you had all urine cultures and pelvic ultrasound clear, there is nothing to worry much.
It's very important that you continue 11 Vagifem and Hydrocortisone cream.
The symptoms will take altogether 10-12 weeks to resolve.It's important that you keep your patience for the next 1-1 1/2 months.
Keep calm and control your anxiety.You should be fine in a month.
Continue with your prescribed medications like Citalopram and Ativan.
Continue using Cranberry juice.
Stop all antibiotics.
Update me with your health status after 4 weeks.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Symptoms will resolve on their own in due course of time.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your entire query in detail.
The symptoms in case are strongly related to reducing estrogen levels secondary to the onset of perimenopausal period.
Since you had all urine cultures and pelvic ultrasound clear, there is nothing to worry much.
It's very important that you continue 11 Vagifem and Hydrocortisone cream.
The symptoms will take altogether 10-12 weeks to resolve.It's important that you keep your patience for the next 1-1 1/2 months.
Keep calm and control your anxiety.You should be fine in a month.
Continue with your prescribed medications like Citalopram and Ativan.
Continue using Cranberry juice.
Stop all antibiotics.
Update me with your health status after 4 weeks.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you. To be clear I'm not in peri menopause. I just had a very regular period after stopping the bc pill.
How could this extreme UTI "feeling" come on one day with no warning? It even felt like my kidneys hurt. Just from vaginal atrophy from use of bc pill?
Also, can stress/anxiety make symptoms worse? Somehow I feel that's what brought this on in the first place as it was/is a stressful time in my life.
How could this extreme UTI "feeling" come on one day with no warning? It even felt like my kidneys hurt. Just from vaginal atrophy from use of bc pill?
Also, can stress/anxiety make symptoms worse? Somehow I feel that's what brought this on in the first place as it was/is a stressful time in my life.
Brief Answer:
UTI's are due to hormonal imbalances.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
Yes, indeed stress and anxiety symptoms can worsen this UTI symptoms.
Sometimes may even contribute to its onset.
As majority of the tests have turned out negative, you need not worry much.
The main cause of these fluctuating UTI'S are due to hormonal imbalances in your case.
This will settle down in the due course of time with medications.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you
UTI's are due to hormonal imbalances.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
Yes, indeed stress and anxiety symptoms can worsen this UTI symptoms.
Sometimes may even contribute to its onset.
As majority of the tests have turned out negative, you need not worry much.
The main cause of these fluctuating UTI'S are due to hormonal imbalances in your case.
This will settle down in the due course of time with medications.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. To be clear, I thought I had a UTI in April but it turned out I didn't. It came out clear along with all of the other tests. I'm guessing vaginal atrophy from birth control pill and/or stress can "mimic " a UTI. But I still have urethral pain and "need to pee" feelings 2 months later. I will continue with Vagifem and stress reduction. Guess I was worried as it seems to be taking forever to heal.
Thank you for the advice.
Thank you for the advice.
Brief Answer:
Both stress and atrophy are responsible for symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
UTI in your case are related to both stress and vaginal atrophy secondary to OC pill usage.
Considering the persistence of symptoms in your case, I suspect stress incontinence of urine in its early and latent stages .
For this ,I advise you to get a urodynamic study.
In my perspective , you should be alright in a month or so .
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Both stress and atrophy are responsible for symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam.
I can certainly understand your concern.
UTI in your case are related to both stress and vaginal atrophy secondary to OC pill usage.
Considering the persistence of symptoms in your case, I suspect stress incontinence of urine in its early and latent stages .
For this ,I advise you to get a urodynamic study.
In my perspective , you should be alright in a month or so .
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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