u/subversivepockets

Hi - my daughter has been diagnosed with female pattern hair loss by dermatologist. Low ferritin so she is on supplements.

We are in UK so only option currently is over the counter topical minoxidil. She is still not sure if she wants to try this (particularly because she has residential school trips coming up)

I am trying to manage her stress and upset with suggestions that won’t make things worse. Hair brushing is something that is upsetting us both.

Does anyone have advice about how to best manage brushing and detangling wet and dry hair particularly combs or brush reccommrndations?

I would be really grateful for any advice or insights ahead of my next GP appointment (I’m in the UK) especially as previously they kept misdiagnosing my symptoms. At this point I am desperate for anything that might alleviate the symptoms.

I’m 54, 4 years post menopause, no HRT (any symptoms seemed to be manageable but i had been experiencing cervical atrophy that I kept meaning to talk to a doctor about - zero libido so it was just on my to-do list). 

6 months ago I suddenly saw a massive increase in anxiety, then 4 months ago I started experiencing urethra pain, pronounced vaginal dryness, burning around vulva. GPs misdiagnosed variously thrush, staph infection, and prescribed various creams and three different courses of antibiotics. Any creams felt really irritating. 

After finally seeing a GP who had actually heard of GSM, she diagnosed prominent urethra, atrophic vaginitis with possible early lichen changes with clinical diagnosis based on examination findings of pale inflamed tissue around urethra with atrophic changes

From mid April I’ve been on estriol cream (2 week loading dose then twice a week) and using emollient (Aquamax cream) and vaginal moisturiser (Yes) but it’s not improved things at all. 

The estriol really irritates if I spread it around but if I insert it with the applicator it just fails to absorb whatsoever - the whole blob falls out the next day - so I don’t even know if realistically I am getting any benefit. One of my labia still is trying to vanish. Meanwhile the emollient also seems to irritate my urethra and hair follicles although it does ease the burning slightly. In addition, my bladder often feels uncomfortable with any pressure at all (like seatbelts or jeans).  

At this point I still have burning vulva skin which sometimes extends out towards my buttocks, urethra discomfort, and bladder pain. The skin looks maybe a bit irritated in a few patches but not everywhere that burns. Apart from my urethra feeling permanently irritated, the burning sensation also moves around so it’s not specific areas that are constantly sore.

Does this sound more like GSM that hasn’t responded yet to treatment or LS or both? Is there any mileage in asking for systemic hrt or would it be worth pushing for estradiol instead? With my urethra reacting so badly to anything topical I am so worried about the idea of applying a strong steroid on the basis that it *might* be LS but I am also so uncomfortable and really depressed (particularly about how hard it is to sit down!). 

Thanks all!