Urethra/ clitoral pain--possible lack estrogen?

Hi There--

Had an emergency TAH five weeks ago. Things have healed nicely except for the fact that I have developed chronic heavy pain in my urethra and clitoral area. Started about two weeks post surgery and have suffered since. Have been checked for every and all infections, ultrasound etc. All is clear.

I am not on HRT as they left the ovaries in. Question I have if anyone has been there....

1) I have heard that post surgery, even with ovaries left, that the ovaries go into shock/ have issues functioning, several months following, and that often women are put on hormones?...

2) If this is the case--could a lack of estrogen in the vaginal area lead to lack of estrogen in the urethra/ consequent irritation?

Any feedback would be sooo appreciated...I really hurt...

Hi Nanook

You may be right on target---could be your ovaries are not back up to speed yet, thus you a having low estrogen symptoms. Atrophy of the vaginal and bladder area are not uncommon when estrogen is too low. Since you have been for infection and that has been ruled out....if I you were I'd call my and ask him/her to prescribed some vaginal estrogen creme to try and see if that brings relief.

Sending 's

I had that same pain. IT IS AWFUL! I upped my dose of HRT from .05 Vivelle dot to .1 and the pain went away. So you may be right on target. Hope you have success.

God bless,
Wendy

Nanook: I, too, suffered from this pain in about that area. In fact, that was the problem that brought me to this forum. I had suffered the same thing when I first went into menopause. I went on HRT and then weaned off. The pain appeared then. My GP prescribed the vaginal cream. Then I had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer and stopped ALL estrogen. About 4 weeks after surgery I was miserable. Onc/gyn prescribed Premarin cream again. Within a week of taking just little dabs on the area, I was fine again. I've continued using it 3 times a week. If I miss once, I can start to feel it again. Definately estrogen-related.

Linda

So much thanks for your feedback!!!!!!

I'm sitting up here around 5:00 AM since the pain is keeping me up. I will contact the Drs office when they open to discuss this.

So, big question, what seems to work better? Oral or vaginal estrogen? ....best question...how long, in your experience, did it take to get relief?! I'm a newlywed (3 mos), so getting the six-week all-clear is very important to me Will they also have me go through hormone testing before helping?

BTW, it's so nice to have this community! I never had even a OB/ GYN until the hysterectomy as I NEVER had any 'female issues'. Just hemmoraged one night and lost half my blood, and opened up this whole hyst nightmare. Never realized what so many women are faced with when their bodies 'turn' on them, and how we get through. You guys are the best!!! If you're ever in Seattle, let me know if I can buy you a drink!

Hi again

I'm not a doctor---but since you did keep your ovaries, and your specific symptoms seem to be the vaginal/urethral pain, I would think some estrogen vaginal creme would be what will give you good relief.

Let us know what your says after you talk with him today.

's

P.S. I love the Seattle area---my brother used to live on Bainbridge Island---we loved visiting there!