Vaginal Dryness anyone? Options

[Puddock]

Hi girls

My vaginal dryness/atrophy is driving me absolutely mad today and I am feeling as if I am the only person in the world with it. Is anyone else out there suffering the same thing? Where the whole of your vagina feels burning and inflamed - not externally, but deep within. I keep trying to ignore it but it's driving me mad.

Did anyone ever get it completely under control? Or is it something I am going to be stuck with for ever now? I'm 50 and post-menopausal and the thought of it is driving me crazy.

[Sariah]

Hi girls

My vaginal dryness/atrophy is driving me absolutely mad today and I am feeling as if I am the only person in the world with it. Is anyone else out there suffering the same thing? Where the whole of your vagina feels burning and inflamed - not externally, but deep within. I keep trying to ignore it but it's driving me mad.

Did anyone ever get it completely under control? Or is it something I am going to be stuck with for ever now? I'm 50 and post-menopausal and the thought of it is driving me crazy.

Yes, my gyne recently Rx'd Estrace vaginal cream which I use twice/week. It does seem to be helping. Dry, atrophied vagina is a classic result of low estrogen.

[leanne0721]

Yes, my gyne recently Rx'd Estrace vaginal cream which I use twice/week. It does seem to be helping. Dry, atrophied vagina is a classic result of low estrogen.

Agreed!

Also... inserting a Vitamin E capsule inside helps too. I do it at night when I go to bed. It doesn't "cure" anything but it provides relief.

[Puddock]

I've tried all of these things and they haven't helped. I've been using estrogen cream for months and I seem to be back where I started.

[leanne0721]

I've tried all of these things and they haven't helped. I've been using estrogen cream for months and I seem to be back where I started.

Humm.... do you insert it, or just put it on the outside area? How many days a week do you do it? Maybe you need to add a day???

[Sariah]

I've tried all of these things and they haven't helped. I've been using estrogen cream for months and I seem to be back where I started.

Which form of estrogen cream? Was it estradiol or estriol? Also, did you insert it with an applicator far up into the vagina? Estriol was not as helpful as the estradiol, and also, I though just putting on the outer perineal area would be enough, but found it wasn't. It has to be applied by applicator high up into the vagina.

[Puddock]

Hi Sariah and leanne

I'm in the UK and use a product called orthogynest, which contains estriol I think. I do use an applicator to get it as high up as I can.

Sariah - did you notice a difference between estriol and estradiol?

[Sariah]

Hi Sariah and leanne

I'm in the UK and use a product called orthogynest, which contains estriol I think. I do use an applicator to get it as high up as I can.

Sariah - did you notice a difference between estriol and estradiol?

I first used OrthoGynest also, and found it did not help, plus I got side effects, like tender breasts. Yes, I'm finding I like estradiol much better than estriol. I had previously been using a compounded estriol/estradiol cream, but find I like just straight estradiol much better. You might want to ask for an estradiol vaginal cream and give it a couple of months before you give up on it. Meanwhile, try the Vit E capsule as Leanne said until the estradiol kicks in.

[Puddock]

Thanks Sariah, that's really helpful. What brand name did you use?

[Sariah]

Thanks Sariah, that's really helpful. What brand name did you use?

It's called Estrace, not sure if it's available where you live, but I'm sure there has to be an equivalent estradiol vaginal cream.. Good luck and let us know how it works if you try it.

[Puddock]

I'm going to see the doctor on Thursday - I'll see what she can do for me.

[SKEEWEEAKA]

I'm going to see the doctor on Thursday - I'll see what she can do for me.

Some women needs a little testosterone with the estrogen and progesterone... Perhaps that could be the problem....or testing your numbers and increasing the estrogen a bit! That just what I've been reading anyway...

TJ

[Sariah]

Some women needs a little testosterone with the estrogen and progesterone... Perhaps that could be the problem....or testing your numbers and increasing the estrogen a bit! That just what I've been reading anyway...

TJ

Yes, this is true. I plan on asking my doc for some low dose T. The E is good for lubrication and the T for libido. They both work together.

[bobbisox2]

Hey there,

Yep, I belong to the dry va-j-j club What I have found to be the best cream for this is meno symptom is a prduct from Weleda- calendula baby cream.
It has a very smooth non greasy consistancy and is very protective. My dryness was so severe that it burned to go potty. My doc had a difficult time examining me due to dryness.
this little cream has helped more than any other potions that i have used and is not messy. I pretty much use it throughout the day pretty much like you would use it on your babys bottom.
i purchase all my supplements and lotions at * on the net. excelent company with great service. I do not have many stores available to me out in the rural areas of wa state.
good luck with your problem.

Yes, this is true. I plan on asking my doc for some low dose T. The E is good for lubrication and the T for libido. They both work together.

[Puddock]

Thanks very much everyone for your suggestions. I went to the doctor today - saw a very nice trainee GP. She agreed to give me Ovestin to try instead of Orthogynest. I'm hoping that this might work better - some meno friends have recommended it.

And she agreed to refer me to a gynae specialist - probably an 18 week wait but at least it's something to look forward to.

And I'm feeling a teeny tiny bit better today so all in all a good day

[Sariah]

Thanks very much everyone for your suggestions. I went to the doctor today - saw a very nice trainee GP. She agreed to give me Ovestin to try instead of Orthogynest. I'm hoping that this might work better - some meno friends have recommended it.

And she agreed to refer me to a gynae specialist - probably an 18 week wait but at least it's something to look forward to.

And I'm feeling a teeny tiny bit better today so all in all a good day

Ovestin is also estriol, not estradiol. I also have that in my hormone graveyard So I don't think it will be much different than the Ortho-Gynest.

[lgoldie]

Hi girls

My vaginal dryness/atrophy is driving me absolutely mad today and I am feeling as if I am the only person in the world with it. Is anyone else out there suffering the same thing? Where the whole of your vagina feels burning and inflamed - not externally, but deep within. I keep trying to ignore it but it's driving me mad.

Did anyone ever get it completely under control? Or is it something I am going to be stuck with for ever now? I'm 50 and post-menopausal and the thought of it is driving me crazy.

Hi, this is LGoldie..read my post right after yours

[buffy123]

If it were not for this forum, I would have died last year. I first came down with Perimenopausal symptoms at age 45, chronic yeast infection/urinary tract infection both at the same time, non stop 24/7 for 143 days. Finally after 17 pap smears and 5 doctors.....I was told I have vaginal atrophy(I hadn't had sex for 6 years) I guess you don;t use it....you do lose it! So they put me had me try hormone cream(didn't work) I was too far gone. Then I was put on PREMPHASE(HRT) this saved my life, on top of taking care of nearly 95% of the vaginal pain, my heart palpitations subsided greatly. I am now 53, still on Premphase.....still have montly periods....mostly regular.....I am hopeful these go a way soon~! Once in a while, if I get super stressed it seems to affect the vaginal area...also after my periods, its very dry. LasT YEAR ON THIS FORUM SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT Vitamin E suppositories...OMG these are a life saver. When I start to feel slight irritation, I use them...after all the $$$$$ I have spent on all these creams, gels, oils, lotions...who knew that ONE simple VITAMIN E suppository would be my SAVING GRACE! I guess its strange to some people that I was put on HRT BEFORE actual menopause....but if I wasn't I don't think I could have survived the Atrophy and the heart palpitations. Hopefully at some point my periods will go bye bye, there have been several times where I have gone 3 months without one, so I will keep my fingers crossed. I will tell you buy the Vitamin E and save yourself all the trying this & that and spending all the money.. Go to ***
they have the least expensive price on a box of 24(which is hard to find, I found them in a health food store. they wanted 10$ for 12) I think a box of 24 is 8$. It is so................worth it.

Reason for edit: Commercial website removed

[Juliann]

If it were not for this forum, I would have died last year. I first came down with Perimenopausal symptoms at age 45, chronic yeast infection/urinary tract infection both at the same time, non stop 24/7 for 143 days. Finally after 17 pap smears and 5 doctors.....I was told I have vaginal atrophy(I hadn't had sex for 6 years) I guess you don;t use it....you do lose it! So they put me had me try hormone cream(didn't work) I was too far gone. Then I was put on PREMPHASE(HRT) this saved my life, on top of taking care of nearly 95% of the vaginal pain, my heart palpitations subsided greatly. I am now 53, still on Premphase.....still have montly periods....mostly regular.....I am hopeful these go a way soon~! Once in a while, if I get super stressed it seems to affect the vaginal area...also after my periods, its very dry. LasT YEAR ON THIS FORUM SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT Vitamin E suppositories...OMG these are a life saver. When I start to feel slight irritation, I use them...after all the $$$$$ I have spent on all these creams, gels, oils, lotions...who knew that ONE simple VITAMIN E suppository would be my SAVING GRACE! I guess its strange to some people that I was put on HRT BEFORE actual menopause....but if I wasn't I don't think I could have survived the Atrophy and the heart palpitations. Hopefully at some point my periods will go bye bye, there have been several times where I have gone 3 months without one, so I will keep my fingers crossed. I will tell you buy the Vitamin E and save yourself all the trying this & that and spending all the money.. Go to ***
they have the least expensive price on a box of 24(which is hard to find, I found them in a health food store. they wanted 10$ for 12) I think a box of 24 is 8$. It is so................worth it.

Buffy,

Thanks for your post. I have been in the beginning phases of this problem. I had only 2 periods last year, and now the "dryness" factor is starting to happen. I am using hormones, but the atrophy is not helped with that. I will try the Vit E and see if I get some relief. Thanks!

Juliann

[buffy123]

Buffy,

Thanks for your post. I have been in the beginning phases of this problem. I had only 2 periods last year, and now the "dryness" factor is starting to happen. I am using hormones, but the atrophy is not helped with that. I will try the Vit E and see if I get some relief. Thanks!

Juliann

i'm surprised the HRT didn't help with the atrophy, because as soon as I began taking them about 3 months later, I had HUGE relief. The atrophy only shows up when I am super stressed or eat a lot of sugar. I guess it irritates it. That was my MAIN purpose for hRT..that and the palpitations which it totally helped. As I said I still have periods, mostly regular, but they only last 2-3 days...and normal for me WAS 7 days heavy flow years ago......try the Vitamin E..I swear its a lifesaver.

[Juliann]

Buffy,

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure why I am having this "new" thing happen with the dryness. I use estrogel, and I feel so much better. What I've been noticing is that I get "itchy" and just feel dry. My periods are almost nil, and I noticed that during sex it felt "tighter" and scratchy?? Does that sound like atrophy to you??

I know that you have been through this, and I can't believe how well you have recovered, it gives me hope that maybe mine will not get to much worse than this.

Juliann

[joyceveronica]

Hi girls

My vaginal dryness/atrophy is driving me absolutely mad today and I am feeling as if I am the only person in the world with it. Is anyone else out there suffering the same thing? Where the whole of your vagina feels burning and inflamed - not externally, but deep within. I keep trying to ignore it but it's driving me mad.

Did anyone ever get it completely under control? Or is it something I am going to be stuck with for ever now? I'm 50 and post-menopausal and the thought of it is driving me crazy.

Dear'Puddock'

I had Vaginal Atrophy at age 39 when Menopausal,accompanied by dryness and itching.I am now 57 and have a well lubricated vagina.That is because I have been on HRT for all these years.

I am not advocating this route for you but this is what has helped me.I think too much sugary food can increase inflamation and burning.Probably very loose cotton panties and some KY Jelly might help.Use plain soap for cleansing and pat dry.However,if this itching has any discharge best to have it checked out as it could be a yeast infection.They are easily treated as have had them several times.

Do hope you get some relief soon

All the Best
Elizabeth

[Puddock]

Thanks Joyce Veronica! Gives me hope for the future. I was beginning to feel that I had no choice but to be stuck with this for life. It's good to get positive feedback about HRT too.

Can I ask if you are post-menopausal now? How's your experience of HRT been? I thought I would only be allowed to be on it for a few years, in which case why bother starting. If I knew I could be on it safely for a long time then I would be more likely to try it.

Thank you so much for your response.

[Puddock]

i'm surprised the HRT didn't help with the atrophy, because as soon as I began taking them about 3 months later, I had HUGE relief. The atrophy only shows up when I am super stressed or eat a lot of sugar. I guess it irritates it. That was my MAIN purpose for hRT..that and the palpitations which it totally helped. As I said I still have periods, mostly regular, but they only last 2-3 days...and normal for me WAS 7 days heavy flow years ago......try the Vitamin E..I swear its a lifesaver.

That is really interesting buffy. Did you find the HRT helped the atrophy? Can I ask how bad it had been?

It's interesting that you say it's worse when you are stressed. That is something I have found. When I'm busy or relaxed the symptoms are not so bad and I'm sure it's not just that I am distracting myself from the pain. I think there's a strong hormonal link here - when the stress hormones are released they go straight to the vagina and bingo! it's back.

What did you find with the sugar? I hadn't noticed that one. Did you have to give it up completely?

[buffy123]

Hi girls

My vaginal dryness/atrophy is driving me absolutely mad today and I am feeling as if I am the only person in the world with it. Is anyone else out there suffering the same thing? Where the whole of your vagina feels burning and inflamed - not externally, but deep within. I keep trying to ignore it but it's driving me mad.

Did anyone ever get it completely under control? Or is it something I am going to be stuck with for ever now? I'm 50 and post-menopausal and the thought of it is driving me crazy.

wELL i AM 53 AND STILL HAVING perimenopause. The HRT really helped me ALOT! but I will now & forever swear by Vitamin E suppostories..nothing I tried ever has worked like those. I keep 3 boxes of 24 in the fridge at all times, and use as needed...boy do they make your Vajj feel better

[buffy123]

I've tried all of these things and they haven't helped. I've been using estrogen cream for months and I seem to be back where I started.

You know I tried ALL the Hormone creams, and if its too atrophied they just won't work. I also used replenze, special ointment from austrailia, really super expensive creams from health store, a regular vitamin e capsule.......these just did not work....at all.
I swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VITAMIN E SUPPOSTORIES are the ONLY answer. I had atrophy for 3 years BEFORE I even knew, so by the time my doc saw it.....he told me my vaginia had the texture of a "leathered baseball glove"..not anymore thanks to these. As soon as I feel the slightest burn or discomfort, I use them. It haS never FAILED ME..AND ITS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS. I thank this site everyday for "turning me on to them"

[La*la]

You know I tried ALL the Hormone creams, and if its too atrophied they just won't work. I also used replenze, special ointment from austrailia, really super expensive creams from health store, a regular vitamin e capsule.......these just did not work....at all.
I swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VITAMIN E SUPPOSTORIES are the ONLY answer. I had atrophy for 3 years BEFORE I even knew, so by the time my doc saw it.....he told me my vaginia had the texture of a "leathered baseball glove"..not anymore thanks to these. As soon as I feel the slightest burn or discomfort, I use them. It haS never FAILED ME..AND ITS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS. I thank this site everyday for "turning me on to them"

thanks for your review...

I'm ordering tomorrow morning...

[DH59]

Are these purchased as suppositories or are you using a normal vit E capsule?

[Puddock]

Buffy - do you think it's the vitamin E or the HRT that's doing the trick? I'd like to try vitamin E but I don't want to stop the estrogen cream in case it's the thing that is helping. Similarly if I started HRT.

[buffy123]

Are these purchased as suppositories or are you using a normal vit E capsule?

No it has to be the suppositories, the capsules u buy in a vitamin store did ZILCH!