Hi everyone!

I'm new around here - very glad I found you as I have been feeling very alone with this d*mned vaginal atrophy. I was hoping to get some advice, and maybe even some hope for the future, as at the moment I feel as if I am stuck with this for life now.

I am 50, I'm post-menopausal and I've been having abdominal discomfort and sometimes vulval pain for about six months. The main feeling is a burning sensation deep inside, which gets me feeling really antsy and makes it hard to concentrate on anything. For the first couple of months, it was repeatedly misdiagnosed as cystitis (that's another story) but at the fourth attempt I got a GP who knew immediately that it was an estrogen deficiency and who put me on an estrogen cream. Partly through my own fault (the leaflet with the cream was so terrifying with all its warnings) I didn't give myself a full dose and weaned myself off it as quickly as I could. Of course, the problem came back again really quickly.

The doc then told me to use it daily for three weeks, then cut down to every two days and so on. That was working well, and I even began to feel human after a month or so, but three weeks on, it flared up again and now I feel almost as bad as before. I'm taking it every day again and there might be a teeny improvement. I'm trying to get an appointment to see the same doctor again but it might not be for another week (she's in demand and no wonder!)

In the meantime, I got very depressed at the thought of being like this for the rest of my life, so I began to trawl the internet, and found this wonderful place, where I found other women who knew just how I felt. So what I'd like to ask is, before I go to see my doctor, is there anything else I should be asking her for? Or is it just going to take time with the cream I'm using. Has anyone else here used an estrogen cream daily for an extended period? I'm terrified she'll want me to cut down again, when I have nothing else.

I'm already following some of the advice I've found here - I'm changing my diet and drinking plenty of water. The vitamin E sounds miraculous - is it okay to use it with the estrogen cream?

The other thing is the 'use it or lose it' angle. I've been widowed for three years so I haven't been using it much (or at all!) for a long time now. To be indelicate, have any of you really found sex, either two or one person, to help? My libido ain't what it was either but I'd give it a go if I thought it would help.

I'd be really grateful for any experiences or suggestions you might have,

thanks

Puddock

Hi Puddock! Welcome to Power Surge!

I use the vaginal estrogen, and it has helped A LOT! The warnings bothered me also, so I only used the insert for about a week- now I put about a lima bean size on my finger, and then rub it all around. I do it about 3-4 times a week. I am married, and still sexually active, and yes, I think that helps. I think the actual act of intercourse keeps some of the muscles working. Check with the doctor, but I don't believe Vitamin E interfers in anyway. About once a week I insert a vitamin E capsule inside. I push it way up there, and go to bed. It just dissolves. I think that helps also. If nothing else, it provides some relief. I have noticed that some days I feel more discomfort down there than other days. Those are the days I insert it. I quit taking baths, and only shower now. I think the baths add to the drying.

I've been using the cream for about 6 mos now, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!!

Have the doctor check out your abdominal discomfort. It could be a fibroid. Or it could be nothing. But tell the dr. about it.

Good Luck!!

Welcome! You are in very good company here and will feel everyone's support. You will also get great information from everyone who is "walking this path". I can not take any estrogen at all due to medical condition but through a woman on this site, I was directed to a GREAT site and product. I can't list the link here but the name of the company is moonmaid botanicals. I ordered their "vital vulva" ointment and let me say - it's incredible! No hormones of any kind in it - it says so on their site and I also called to verify due to my medical condition. I also had vaginal atrophy and was very sore/tender - Ouch!!! I stared putting the vital vulva ointment on in the a.m. and p.m. (both externally and internally). I've used it about 2 months now and I'd say I'm back to about 80% normal! I can truly feel a difference. You're welcome to email me directly is you need more info. Good luck and welcome again, to Power Surge - a great community of women who care for and about themselves and each other! Kathleent

Thanks leanne and kathleen for your help. Kathleen - that ointment sounds lovely - not sure I can get it in the UK but I'll investigate. Leanne - I've had an abdominal ultrasound and everything was fine. The vitamin E sounds like a good idea too - might give it a go. My main problem though is higher up. The estrogen cream has given me back some moisture in the vulval area. What I'm left with is the feeling of inflammation higher up in the vagina/bladder area - it's driving me mad!

I got an appointment with the GP today. She reckoned I'd suffered enough and offered to put me on HRT. I'm not sure whether to start or not. Any advice out there? I'd like to try sorting it with changes to my diet and other things first but am I being silly? Does the HRT cure vaginal atrophy? And does it mean I have to be on HRT for life? Doctors aren't keen to keep you on it for more than 5 years or so, I've heard. DOesn't that mean I'm just putting off my problems for a few years? HELP!

Yes, the HRT will help with vaginal dryness, NO you don't have to take it the rest of your life, but when you stop symptoms will return. Yes.. you will be putting off the problems for a few years, but it might give you some better quaility of life for those few years. It really all depends on how poorly you're feeling and if it's worth it.

I don't use HRT, but what I have learned is if I were you, and I decided to use HRT, I would start with the lowest dose possible, even if it's not the recommended dose. You can alway increase your dose if needed, but starting lower will let you evaluate your symptoms better.

Tell the doctor of ALL your concerns. Let us know how it goes today! GOOD LUCK!!

Hi,
Just wanted to share what worked for me this week. I'm 56 and 3 years post-menopausal. I refuse to use any hormone cream and Replens didn't work well, either. I started taking a tablespoon of olive oil every day, starting last Saturday, and yesterday was the first time I had sex without pain in a long time. I really was totally surprised as I didn't expect it to work this well. Plus I was more moisturized. All I used was KY Silk E moisturizer. Obviously, I'm very happy with this and my husband. Hope it helps.

Saw the doctor yesterday and she gave me a prescription for Elleste Duet Conti, but we agreed that it would be up to me whether I started on it or not. I'm trying some of the other options first. I feel that once I start on HRT I'm committed to it for as long as the doctor will allow me to be on it, and I'd rather not be in that position yet. If things keep on as they are without any improvement then I will give it a go.



CMGators - that is interesting. I'd heard about taking olive oil but it's good to know it had such a quick effect. Did you just have dryness externally, if you know what I mean, or did you have the discomfort inside all the time as well?

Thanks so much girls. I must admit that I'm getting really angry that vaginal atrophy and dryness is barely discussed when it is apparently so common. I looked in all the books I could find in my local bookshop yesterday and nearly threw them across the room in frustration because vaginal dryness was barely mentioned. When it was, it was just as a minor distraction in your vibrant sex life

I think this is not just sexism, but ageism in action and it makes me really angry! From what I have read here and elsewhere, vaginal atrophy is a widespread and significant problem and, because it is a post-menopausal issue, you are stuck with it for the rest of your life. And doctors, even female doctors are as ignorant as anyone else...I've just realised I'm starting to rant so I'll start another thread to do that!

Thanks girls - I'll try some of the things you've suggested and report back.

Hi,
I had the dryness and pain internally. It was pretty bad, in that I did not want to even have intercourse at all. But after the oil, what a difference! I still can't believe it. You can use any oil, I read. I'm using a light olive oil.

Kathleen,
Wow so glad this salve helped you so much , just wanted to add in addition to this salve you know CALENDULA OINTMENT is the greatest ever to and its natural and I believe its in the ointment you are using to.
I only use the vita vulva now when I get a bad flare up, but do use the Calendula by Hylands at least twice a week now. Then only thing is with these ointments if the hubbys use condoms I believe it might be a problem but you girls can google that to.
Take care God bless you
Tinks

Yes hope do look up moonmaidbotanicals like Kathleen said she is proof it really helps.
Tinks

I recently found a product that I use not only for moisture when it gets uncomfortably dry during the day, but also when my husband & I have sex. Its a lubricant called Liquid Goddess, bought it on Amazon (they also have a website LiquidGoddess.net). I'm not menopausal but i am breastfeeding and have some really bad dryness. I am on my second bottle and just love it...Completely natural and safe for my little one & me of course smile.gif . its absolutley the best thing I have come across…totally recommend!
sarah