Vaginitis and sexual activity? Options

[Bougainvillea]

I've read some of the threads discussing atrophic vaginitis. My story fits other peoples, but I have a question.

About two years or so after I became infertile, I was diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis plus a yeast infection put on a megadose of antibiotics, it came back, I changed docs and was prescribed estrace (estradiol) cream, which really has made the difference. I've been on the cream for about 6 months. That's the part that fits other people's stories who have posted.

Coming through menopause and the years after also coincided with taking a break from being involved with men...that's a long story that has an earlier divorce in it. Well... I did meet a guy, and we did have sex, so that's after about a 3 year period with no sex. The first time seemed fine but the next time (the next day) really caused us both problems, even though we used a lubricant. Long story short, he said it did something to him, I felt raw inside, I got a urinary tract infection and the um...ro-mance ... well...I'm glad I'm 60 and can (retrospectively) shrug my shoulders and laugh.

Getting past the personal history, I have a real question, because I'd like to hope that I'm not done with having sexual relations: To those of you out there who are dealing with vaginal dryness *and* are still getting pleasure from sex, how do you handle sexl?

Did I/we slip up by expecting to have sex the next day? What's the "recuperation" time, if there needs to be a wait time in between?

I understand well that I'm going to have to have a partner who is willing to work with me on things, that was made crystal clear. I also strongly suspect that I need to go much slower than we did that second time.

But...how do you handle the cream, lubricants and all that?

This is a pretty intimate question, but all my very good offline friend said, was that for her it was "sometimes hit & miss". ???

I really would like to know these things because although my sexual interest definitely has changed after menopause, it's still there. I'll likely need to be the guide of my hoped for partner. But I'm very uncertain what I should do

I'm presuming that I'll have to use the cream for awhile...when I taper back too far on it, I get the symptoms back.

Bou

[Juliann]

Hello Bou,

I can truly feel for your situation. As we age we certainly have lots of figuring to do. I've read some posts here recently that recommended using a certain protocol for those of us who are having this dryness vaginal problem.

One thing mentioned was using a Vitamin E suppository a few times per week. I purchased a pack of these and found that they work very well. Also, another thing that was discussed is that you must have sex on a regular basis. I think each one may be different in that aspect. You are in a new relationship, therefore it may be more frequent. I have been married for almost 30yrs, so for me, once a week or so is plently.

I would suggest using the lubrication vit E suppositories, maybe some horomone cream and things of that sort. Most of all I suppose we have to face the facts, we are getting older and we need to work harder to keep things in working order, right???

Wishing you all the best.

Juliann

[Bougainvillea]

Thanks, Julianne

I think you're right about that last sentence you wrote. In fact, that was what I was asking people's thoughts about. I appreciate the suggestion about vitamin E.


Bou

[ladybugs]

How much time are you actually spending on foreplay? For me that is all the difference in the world! You may just simply need to apply lubricant more often as in during the sexual act. Once before penetration may not be enough. Stop and lube up a few times and see if this helps. Go SLOWER. Not only does it ease the stress on the vaginal area but it makes the fun last longer!!!

[Bougainvillea]

Ladybugs, this helps enormously. I think we got in trouble because there was no foreplay the second time, and your remarks about lubrication are so helpful.

Thank you!

Bou

[janet c]

Quote Bougainvillea "Getting past the personal history, I have a real question, because I'd like to hope that I'm not done with having sexual relations: To those of you out there who are dealing with vaginal dryness *and* are still getting pleasure from sex, how do you handle sexl?"


As you would probably agree, there is more to sex than penetration. I have the opinion that many women find they cannot always have an orgasm through intercourse alone anyway. I admit that although I could before my hysterectomy, I now need other things to make things good for me. Also I wasn't able to use any hormone treatments for 2 years after my hyst so I had to rely on things like vit E oil and Replens for lubrication. Even then intercourse was painful if it went on for too long so thank goodness for my considerate DH who always would make sure I was "ok" before going the whole way- if you get my meaning?
janet c