I remember someone here mentioning Calendula ointment, and I've just looked it up (not yet sure if I can get it in the UK, but may order some from the US if necessary. The only thing bothering me about this is that it is in a base of petrolatum. Is this something that is OK to be putting in such a delicate place?

I tried some Replens a few weeks ago, but this was a bit messy following intercourse, even though I had not used it on that day. There was a small amount of thinnish, slightly lumpy 'cottage cheese' type of discharge when hubby came out!! I don't know if this is connected, and I do remember someone saying that it caused a pinky discharge, but recently (past couple of weeks) I have been getting a pinky colouration on the tissues following intercourse the last few times, despite not having used the Replens for quite a few weeks. I did just go to my doctor with this, and then remembered what I'd read here about the Replens, but they took swabs anyway.

petroleum based products can mess with your ph level and encourage infections.

the lumpy discharge was because of the replens. gross isn't it? that was the first thing I tried when the dryness started.

The best thing really is an estrogen cream. It is the only thing that gets your own lubrication going again.

If you are just looking for a lubricant than I would reccomend "very private"
Out of all the ones I tried (over 2 dozen!) it was the only one that did not dry up too fast or leave a sticky gross residue.

I tried the Calendula cream but it burned a bit and never seemed to do much. I was one of the ladies who had a pinkish discharge with Replens-it scared me at the time until I found out it is quite common. I still use it regularly and the pink has gradually gone.
I would also recommend Estriol cream which is only obtainable from the doctor. I was given it last week to be applied on the outside only in my case (I had endo cancer), but you can insert it vaginally as well. I found it got rid of my soreness within a couple of days.
janet c

A bioidentical estradiol patch (Vivelle dot) took care of my dryness problem which was quite uncomfortable, not just for sex but even just walking around!

If I was going to try something else, I'd use an estrogen cream or Estring.

Ok, showing my dumbness here...Do you have to get a script for estrogen creme?

Yes oestrogen cream and estriol are hormones so have to be prescribed by a doctor.

yes your gyno or general practitioner can prescribe it for you. they will want to examine you first and discuss the risks with you. It works fast and is worth a doc visit.

Yes that works but I found it made me sticky. Applying a capsule before intercourse is good for lubrication but for every day I think Replens is better. Once you get rid of the pink it feels and looks more natural.
janet c

Thanks for all your replies.

So, could I still be getting this very slight pink discharge even though I haven't used the Replens for a good few weeks? It is only noticeable after intercourse. I get no sign at any other time, such as going to the toilet.

I was a bit wary about the cream with petrolatum in it - don't think I'll be trying that. We use a lubricant called Sylk which I find very good - it's natural made from kiwi fruit - and we also recently tried Eden Bliss (I think it's called). That wasn't too bad either.

I had some blood tests taken last week for all hormones and thyroid, etc, and should get the results later this week, so I may ask about some oestriol cream, as I have read that this is the most natural and safe of the oestrogens.

I stopped taking the Premarin that my GP gave me a few months ago, and I didn't really feel any benefit from the Vagifem I had before that, but I have recently been getting some discomfort during intercourse (not as bad as the searing pain I used to get before lubricant), so I need something more than just the lubricant I think. Also, I had the discomfort and pink discharge at about the same time, which is why I went to the doctors. He had the nurse take some swabs just in case, so I will get the result of that when I go for the blood results.

If it's been that long since you used replens and since it's only happening after intercourse I would think you are having some minor bleeding from sex. When the vaginal walls thin out they bleed very easily.

Yes I agree. The Replens effects wear off after a couple of days. It is most likely because of the skin being so delicate, but
it is always worth getting any spotting after intercourse checked out.
janet c

Thanks again. I had thought it was probably thinning of the vaginal walls, but I did have a swabs taken and I will get the results on Friday. I was really pleased that we had got over the pain I used to get, but this has me concerned again now. I will also mention the oestrogen cream when I go to the docs.

Well, I went to see the doctor this morning for my blood and vaginal swab results. Very weird with the swab - I have a strep infection normally only found in the throat!! So I am now on some strong antibiotics. I'm not sure if this is in some way connected with the bad chest infection I had all last week, and which is still lingering. I suppose it could have been circulating round my system, but which came first? I started with the spotting and uncomfortable sex before the cough started, but who knows. My whole system has been in a bad state for some time.

He's also referred me to the hospital gynae department with the discomfort issue, as I'm also wondering if my hysterectomy may have caused some problems which have never been addressed. The excruciating pain I used to get with sex is gone, but it's not totally satisfactory, and especially now, with the new discomfort starting up it's a bit of a worry. I wondered whether I'd been stitched up too short, and I don't even know if I still have my cervix. I was given zero information after I had my op.

Also, the blood results were quite interesting. There were no abnormal results in the thyroid and full blood count, but my FSH came out at 77.9u/L and LH was 51.1 u/L, which appears to show that I am POST-menopausal. We discussed the oestriol cream, but decided to see what the hospital suggested. I only hope the gynae department is a bit better organised than the dermatology dept!!

I am one of the ones who has talked about the CALENDULA OINTMENT and actually it saved me from the horrible dryness, they have CALENDULA CREAM AND THE OINTMENT I use the ointment.

Now I also use the Replens when it is very stubborn and that has saved my life, but now only when needed I use the ointment and it works. I do understand its best not to use with condoms and I dont I rub it up there real good on a itchy , burny day and put on a panty liner just in case it stains the panties a bit.
I do swear by it I was also told to try the hormone creams but refused to and kept searching for years actually until I came across a website. Now this website sells this ointment with a whole lot of herbals in it , if you want the website you can PM me and you can look at the different things they have.
One of the ingreidents is Calendula ointment and some other lovely stuff.

Another thing one of the girls mentioned here to wash the ol vagina is SUMMERS EVE FEMININE WASH, I use to just use a clean soap but this stuff doesnt dry up the ol girl.

Try not to wear tight clothing there and drink plenty of water.
I stopped drinking coffee and sodas and now stick to cranberry juice and teas.

Its amazing what the body can do in healing itself if we give it a lil time.

Just this past April or so I was in tears and so much pain from this problem and was blessed to find this ointment.

I found it by reading that it is 50 times stronger than Vit E and it is made from Marigolds I believe.

So again sorry for the long post hope it helps you.

Tinkybug

Thanks, tinkybug. I really am wary about using anything in the vaginal area, especially 'feminine washes' - it could be that some are more natural than others, but I have never used anything marketed as specifically for that area, as I read years ago that they can do more harm than good by eliminating the natural flora. Probably just me being over-cautious, but I would sooner use a natural organic body wash, which I mostly do, and even then I don't use too much in that area.

My appointment at the hospital is on Friday 14th, so I am hoping to have the discomfort issue addressed pretty quickly.

I read some more about the strep infection, and it is not unusual to find it in the vagina, and it's a known danger when pregnant, so the doctor was wrong that it's only found in the throat.

And the blood results showing that I'm post-meno? Well, apparently, the level fluctuates wildly in peri, so I could still be in peri. I think I may ask the nutritionist whether saliva tests might be in order.

I had my appointment at the hospital last week and the gynae said everything looked OK and my vagina looked quite healthy. She did another swab (which came back OK), although she was surprised at my GP prescribing antibiotics for the infection I had a few weeks ago, saying this is normally only done if pregnant. She also prescribed Vagifem. I have had this before and I'm not too happy about being on it again, but if it helps for the time being I will take it for a while. I asked whether my hysterectomy might have caused a problem such as being sewn up too short, but she said it was fine. I also discovered that I do not have my cervix. I had never been given much information at the time and I was unsure whether I still needed to have smear tests.

The bleeding following intercourse settled down (prior to my hospital visit) but the discomfort is still there although not as intense. I am hoping that the Vagifem will also help with my hot flushes, which appear to have been getting worse over the past few weeks.

A letter arrived from the hospital a couple of weeks ago (as I'd requested a copy of the letter they send to my doctor), which indicated that I do, indeed, have vaginal atrophy. I have a follow-up appointment in March.

The Vagifem they prescribed did not help with the hot flushes, so I've abandoned that yet again and I am trying some 'Yes' lubricant, as I'd seen recommended on here. I can't report any improvement yet, as I haven't been using it long enough. The hospital also recommended I use my dilators, which I had purchased some time ago, so I am using them a couple of times a week and they appear to be helping. My H does not have a very high libido, so I can't rely on that to keep me in shape, so to speak!

Hi,

I' new here.I have the same problem with vaginal dryness my doctor wants me to start premarin without checking my hormones or myself. I'm not sure what to do.

Hi Silvia and welcome to Powersurge
You have come to the right place and will be able to get lots of information and help from all the lovely ladies here!
If your only problem is vaginal dryness and you do not have any other menopausal symptoms then using a systemic hormone seems a bit radical. I presume this one is not just a hormone cream?
If you are having other meno symptoms then maybe Premarin is the answer but if not then I would recommend Replens and if you want a stronger preparation- then estriol cream or even Vagifem would be less systemic.
I am not sure doctors always do check your hormones before giving HRT although I think they should! They tend to go on your symptoms and age. Maybe you could tell us a bit more about how you are generally?
Best wishes
janet c

Silvia, yes, welcome to Power Surge, but this is just the Message Board area of an otherwise enormous Web site with a wealth of information not only provided by the women posting messages on the board, but provided by Power Surge (me) and hundreds of experts.

I recommend that everyone start out at www.power-surge.com - peruse, search and read through all the different areas on Power Surge.

Here are some examples of articles, chats, et al on vaginal dryness (and how to treat it), vaginal health, sexuality and related issues:

* Midlife Sexuality, Vaginal Dryness, Relationahips.

Other articles related to vaginal issues are:

* Maintaining Vaginal Health at Menopause

* Atrophic Vaginitis and Sexuality

* The transcript with Gynecologist/Vulvovaginal health expert, Elizabeth Stewart, M.D.

* Power Surge Recommendations for Treating Menopause Symptoms

* Sexual Issues / Libido / Testosterone Forum


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Power Surge Midlife Sexuality, Relationship Experts...

Check the Power Surge Web Site's Library for transcripts of guest chats with experts in the area of sexuality. These guests have been part of Power Surge's, "My Menopause, My Sexual Self Series" started in 1995. Every author is listed in the Library alphabetically.

Click on the guest's name below to go to their transcripts
(at the bottom of many of the transcripts are links to more transcripts of chats with these experts)

Dr. Sandra Pertot, the author of Perfectly Normal: Living and Loving With Low Libido.

Dr. Marianne Brandon, the author of Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido.

Dr. Susan Rako, the author of
"The Hormone of Desire: The Truth About Testosterone, Sexuality and Menopause." Dr. Rako is an M.D. / Psychiatrist who's spent years researching testosterone. Read the numerous transcripts of Dr. Susan Rako in the Guest Chat Library

Dr. Sandra Scantling, the author of
"Extraordinary Sex : A Couple's Guide To Intimacy." Dr. Sandy is Power Surge's Ask The Intimacy Expert.

Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D. one of the most popular and influential relationship and personal personal growth experts. Author of 13 books including, "Secrets About Men Every Woman Should Know,"
"Are You The One For Me,"
and "How Did I Get Here? Finding Your Way To Renewed Hope And Happiness When Life And Love Take Unexpected Turns."

Steven Carter, author of the international runaway bestseller, "Men Who
Can't Love," "What Smart Women Know" and This Is How Love Works. You'll also want to check out Steven Carter's, Ask The Power Surge Relationship Expert.

Mira Kirshenbaum, author of Too Good To Leave, Too Bad To Stay.

Alan Altman, M.D., OB/GYN and Power Surge guest, co-author with Laurie Ashner
of Making Love The Way We Used To ... Or Better.

Nancy Friday, author of numerous sexuality books including, The Power of
Beauty: Men, Women and Sex Appeal Since Femninism.

Judith Sachs, author of numerous books including The Healing Power of Sex.

Joan Irvine, Ph.D., author of Recipes for Hot Sex.

Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. , author of The Pause: Positive Approaches To Menopause
and numerous books on women's sexualty.

Sharyn Wolf, therapist and author of numerous books on sexuality and
relationships, " How To Stay Lovers For Life" .

Lee Raffel , family psychotherapist and author of "Should I Stay or Go? How
Controlled Separation (CS) Can Save Your Marriage."

Happy reading!
Dearest

I am also wondering about Replens - sometimes when I use it I have extreme vaginal burning for an hour or so afterwards. Does anyone else have that problem? Is there a better OTC product? This is my first time posting and I am not sure I'm even doing it right, but would love to be able to communicate with a few of you about all of these tricky issues. Thank you!

Hi and welcome to the site
Yes I found that Replens would burn after use until I had used it for some time.
I use it every other night and now I find it fine. Regular consistent use is the key.
You may also find at first you get some weird discharge-mine was pinkish for a while then it went thick and white now I get nothing. I find it great but you have to be patient
janet c

Thank you, Janet, for the reply! I will give it a try. I assume there is no problem with regular use.

Donna

[quote name='Dearest' date='Feb 9 2008, 04:02 PM' post='208685']
Silvia, yes, welcome to Power Surge, but this is just the Message Board area of an otherwise enormous Web site with a wealth of information not only provided by the women posting messages on the board, but provided by Power Surge (me) and hundreds of experts.


Yes Dearest, and of course I included you in my remarks as you are indeed a lovely lady.
You have come along with your usual great recommendations which is great because it is hard to know where to start on a huge board like this! You are very much appreciated
janet c

Why did you not like the Vagifem? I was prescribed this and am leary

I just didn't want to take HRT, although I did use the Vagifem for a little while to give it a try. If it had helped with any of the peri symptoms I may have continued it, but as it didn't I stopped it. I have gone back to trying Replens, and I use my dilator with another lubricant that is supposed to nourish the cells of the vaginal wall, although I don't use it as often as I should.

I've had no end of troubles in this department.

1. Premarin cream is pretty good, and can be applied inside or out. Downside: Slight scent - my dog is in love with my leg.
2. Estring is a smallish gizmo, a ring made from small surgical tubing, and stuffed with estriol. You insert it, leave it for ninety days, then replace with a new one. Advantage: my dog doesn't seem to notice it. Disadvantage: it doesn't work as well for exterior tissues as the cream

3. and the reason I checked in tonight: ephedrine. It increases vaginal secretions in response to sexual scenarios, but not the rest of the time. I dug out some from an old dexatrim bubble pack, and it worked v well. Nowadays, its only on the shelf as a nasal decongestant. Ephedrine has a short half-life, but if you're looking for a little something for romantic interludes, this might suit.

Duch! Nice to see you again. I was only thinking last night that I hadn't seen you around for some time. I was, in fact, just going to search for something you posted to me a while ago, in reference to anti-depressants. You must have felt the vibes!!

Thanks for your comments here. Something else to think about.

Thanks for your kind words, Diane. Can I be of any help on the anti-depressant thingee? Did you read about the study out of Hull University on the SSRIs and NSSRIs?

This is a follow up to the replens for dryness discussion. If you have burning in the outer vaginal area that crops for no apparent reason (i.e, no discharge etc.) would you still recommend replens or is there another other the counter product that might help? Any suggestions?
Thanks so much - everyday seems to have a new issue. i'd sure like to feel "normal" again! (whatever that is!)
Donna

Well, I guess we're on the wrong section for the anti-depressant discussion, but I was looking into them again. I haven't seen the Hull study, but will try and look that up. After having some not-so-nice side-effects with the other ADs I was taking, I was thinking of asking the doc for something else, perhaps the Wellbutrin you mentioned before, but I don't know whether I need ADs or whether it's more like anxiety I am getting. I seem to get *some* of my hot flushes when something stressful occurs - even some minor things have me in a lather. When I wake in the night I think the panic and distress of waking sets a flush going. A nutritionist I was seeing said it was low blood sugar triggering me waking up, but I bought a glucose monitor and it was fine. I just thought something to settle my mind might just get me back on an even keel.

True! I've replied on "anxiety/depression, ruminating thoughts"

sorry, Dianne.. make that the "depression/anxiety, ruminating thoughts" thread. I have no memory any more...

Hey Duch! So good to see y'all here.

I am probably the one who gave the CALENDULA OINTMENT information and I believe you can find it in the UK another girl had found it once, but if not google it and order it I surely would.
On the replens be patient with it , it also works very very well.

The Calendula ointment saved my life, really I have suffered with this for so many years and all it is , is marigold and the equivlant to 50 times stronger than VIT E which is good but oh so sticky.
Give it a try if you cant find it in the ointment try it in the cream while you wait for your ointment.
PM me if you have any questions you shouldnt have to suffer a day longer I dont anymore,
Tinks

Yes, Tinks, it was you. I think you already commented earlier in this thread. I did look it up, but was concerned about the other ingredients it contained. Perhaps I'd found a different brand to the one you use. Having said that, my problem isn't necessarily with the outer vaginal area - it's more deep inside where I feel the discomfort.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have resumed the Replens and will work through the discharge and see how it goes for a bit longer than I did last time. Already I have had the pinky coloured discharge following intercourse. I am getting worked up about my discomfort on intercourse, but H says not to worry about it. I just get so worked up about not 'functioning' properly (especially in light of him having had an affair), but then again, he has his own issues in that department, having always had a degree of PE, which we were able to cope with previously, before the pain started and when I could at least get an orgasm, albeit with a bit of difficulty, through intercourse!

Hi Careergirl! nice to see you too.

I popped in to report on the success I've had on vaginal dryness with ephedrine, and its been v nice to catch up with old friends. I trust you're well.

Yes google and find something compatable with the one I take, now you know what I use before a joyful time that really works is KY jelly another very soothing thing is VAGI*GARD Moist again I can pm you there webstie, another very good one is moonmaidbotanicals you can google this webstie to she has a wonderful salve and it tells you all the ingrediants on the site. Now mine has also been a very DEEP pain in the ol girl very painful and almost as if it is bruised or so sore I know mine is due to peri and I wont put those hormonal creams I was prescribed. I have no problem with the Hylands brand. What is it about the petroleum that concerns you I am curious to know?
Good luck and prayers your way for a quick healing for your ol girl,
Sorry to hear about the sexual discomfort and issues

Tinks

I have, for a long time, used organic beauty products as much as possible, and I remember reading many years ago about petroleum-based ingredients being bad for the skin, as it interferes with the natural flora of the body. I would be especially wary of using such an ingredient in the vaginal area. I've just found some information about dangerous ingredients in beauty products and petrolatum/petroleum was in the list with the following quote:

"Petrolatum and Paraffin Gel (petroleum jelly) - Mineral oil in a gel form; causes many problems for photosensitive skin (that is to say it augments damage from the sun). It also tends to interfere with the body's natural moisturizing mechanism leading to dry skin. Any product sold that contains this chemical creates the very conditions that it claims to relieve. Many manufacturers use petrolatum because it is incredibly cheap. Highly comedogenic."

This is why I am concerned about it. I have never used anything but soap and water in that area, including vaginal deodorants, due to the negative effects of these products if used over time.

Even the Replens contains mineral oil and other dubious ingredients, but I will persevere with it for a while. The Moon Maid Botanicals site you mentioned looks to have some good natural products. It doesn't look like they deliver to the UK, though. I'm sure I can find something similar. I will have to do some more research.

how would ephedrine help with vaginal dryness? doesn't it constrict blood vessels? It seems like it would make it worse. I know they say that a common cause of vaginal dryness before menopause if the use of antihistamines and decongestants, when they dry out your sinuses they dry out the nether regions as well.

lgoldie,

I read your post about the hyst and asking if you were sewn up too short. I had my hyst about 12 yrs ago and had similar issues. Thank goodness I have an RN friend that had been through the process. She assured me that things stretch and eventually feel like normal again. She was right. It did take several months. I'd be very interested to hear your information on atrophyed vagina.

Thanks,

happy46

Hi, so glad I found this forum! I have just started Replens. I am 62 and have been suffering with vaginal dryness. I have only used three applications, but tonight when I removed the applicator it had brownishpinkish stuff on it so I went into a total panic and then found this forum.

I also feel a bit achey at the pit of my stomach. Anyone else had this?

I read on here that the pink stuff will stop if I stick with it. Sure hope so, thought I was going to have to run to the doctor.

Hi and welcome!
I have only just returned from my holiday or I would have replied to your post sooner!
I started using Replens a while after my surgery for endo cancer. I went into a total spin when I saw the horrid pink discharge. I felt sure my cancer was back as it looked like spotting- a bloody discharge.
I went running to my doctor who reassured me about it.

I can totally reassure you that it is completely normal at first and I don't know why the leaflet does not mention the pink colour. It just says-"off white" I think- which it will be in time, but not at first if the vagina is very dry.

I have never had any aches in my stomach from it. I don't think there is much in it really so if you are still getting that I would imagine it is unrelated. The worst I ever had with it was a little stinging vaginally when I was very atrophic.

janet c