My peri years sent me into sexual overdrive. It's the post menopausal years (been 5) that have been a problem. I have vaginal atrophy since January that is only responding to conventional estrogen therapy (Premarin cream). I've tried to stop using it and within 2 days I'm in pain and dry as the desert. I've just found this website and am trying to incorporate the vitamin E (used vaginally). My husband doesn't really understand all of this and to be honest, neither do I. I miss the sex, but have been avoiding it because of the pain it causes (even with lube). My doc says I should have sex to make the vaginal walls thicker, etc--but who wants to be in pain???? Oh, I've been on the Premarin for around a month now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there any help out there?

"Dear 'pikie'
I was diagnosed with Vaginal Atrophy when I was fully Menopausal.It really improved when I went onto HRT.KY Jelly helped with the initial dryness too.

Perhaps you need to have your Hormone Levels re-checked as the Estrogen may be a little low for you.

hope you get other replies from ladies with some more advice or information

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth
P.S.Would love to have experienced some 'sex-overdrive'!

Have you tried Replens? I use it faithfully now every 3 days. It doesn't have any hormones in it. I also use Astroglide when having sex. I have found that the sex is alot less painful when using both the Replens and Astroglide (or whatever works best for you). And the Replens helps me alot, I tried going without it just to see, and I had alot of discomfort. You may or may not experience a "discharge" the first day, but it isn't bad, after frequent use that should stop. My doctor told me that it is the moisturizer "sloughing" off the dead skin cells that have built up inside.

The Replens ususally runs anywhere from $14 to $17 for a box of 8 applicators which should last about 24 days, and inside the box the insert comes with a $3.00 off coupon, so that really helps!

same with me, dry as the desert!. Last time I had a pap my doctor could not get the speculum in I was so dry. The result of the dryness was a terrible rash that hurt so bad when I went potty. I was floored when she told me what to do for the outside pain. She told me to go to walmart and get a aloe plant.
cut off about 3 inches of the largest leaf and peel off the outer layer. Okay...so now what..sounds interesting. I was told to take the actual peeled aloe plant and place between the folds of my vagina, laying down with it absorbing the soothing gel into the sensetive skin.
It worked for the pain and dryness I was experiencing on the outside. Well for the inside I have not figured this out yet. My doc does have me use estrace a few times a week for the dryness and that helps too. I always have an aloe plant around and lately it looks pretty bare:) needs to grow some more shoots!!
For the immediate pain and dryness on the out area the aloe was a godsend.
bobbi