I have been using Replens for ages but I am still having dryness and soreness externally. I have been trying to use estriol cream but it makes me feel awful so I have given it up.

We all know that vitamin E oil is good for vaginal dryness so I thought I would try applying it every night. I am not a great fan of the stickiness but if I do it at night it doesn't really matter. I have noticed that in the last few days my sensations are getting stronger. So much so that I did some googling this morning and found this.
"When used locally in the vagina it can help rehydrate tissue and may possibly increase sensation. No need for a prescription here; Just stick a pin in a vitamin E capsule and apply to the vagina several times a week."

I had never heard that it could actually increase sensation before. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this extra benefit? Its good isn't it

janet c

Hi Janet,
Yes, I did notice that. I'm thinking it's because the tissues are rehydrated and return to a more "normal" state. Whatever the reason, it's a good thing. It's inexpensive and better yet, safe. I've also noticed that applied externally it just feels better, just like if you were putting lotion on very dry skin on any other part of your body. Very soothing.
Jan

Just wondering -- is it equally effective to use vitamin e oil from a bottle, or is it better to use the capsules and prick them with a pin, as the article suggested? Is the vit e in the capsules a great deal more concentrated than the oil that comes bottled?

I think you would go by the strength of the oil. My capsules are 400 iu each. It wouldn't really matter which method you use-just the concentration of the oil. If you looked at the label on the bottle that should tell you.
janet c

ah ok ... thanks. Mine gives the concentration for the whole bottle -- 12,000 IU for 2.5 oz. bottle. So, given that the capsules are so small, the concentration of 400 IU, if that means per capsule, must be much greater -- I think. Maybe? Math is not my forte.

Yes definitely- each capsule contains 400 iu and there are 60 in a bottle so the total would be 24,000 iu. That is half of your bottle concentration. I think you can buy different strengths and yours is half of mine-is it??? .(I am not very good at maths either )
janet c

Vitamin E possesses oestrogenic, androgenic and progesterone-like properties -

Does it? What about evening primrose oil ?

Oh goodness I have just been googling and it does! Thanks for that EP. I wish I had known about that sooner. It just proves it wasn't placebo for me because I really didn't know that before. Its great stuff
janet c

It's nice when something natural works. I glad it's helping you, Janet --

Janet- you can also insert a vit E gel in the evening at bedtime, and by morning the heat from your body dissolves the gel tablet and it gets absorbed (or whatever it does) and provides relief.

I just insert one about 2-3 times a week, and go to bed. It works GREAT, and it's not sticky!

Thanks Leanne

Already done it this evening! I have decided to go back to it.

I used to use it regularly after my surgery.I had no libido at all then and never noticed any positive effects from it in that way. I stopped it because of the stickiness and funny smell and went on to Replens which I am still using.

I have only just gone back to the vit E oil and that was to help the soreness around the bladder opening which gets quite painful. I started it about five days ago and I didn't know why I was feeling so different. I am really surprised it could have such a great effect on libido!
I wonder if it is absorbed systemically? I always absorbed the estriol which is why I can't use it.

janet c

Glad it worked for you, Janet!

Vitamin E also comabts hot flashes, if taken orally, it is good as systemic antioxidant, and works for heart palps as well, definetely works great for issues down below.
Too bad, it is not too profitable for those doctors that Rx BH.

Does anyone know if the vitamin E gets into the bloodstream if used vaginally?
I have been feeling emotionally very different since I started using it and my hot flushes have reduced although it might just be co-incidence. I am definitely feeling a bit more vulnerable and emotional.
janet c

Janet,
I don't know about the bloodstream, but I use to work for an oral surgeon and he told patients to break the Vitamin E capsule and rub on their gums for ulcers and sores....
I guess it works for many holes in our body

Are you using it every day, Janet? Maybe you can use it every other day instead, see how it goes?

Yes I have been using it every day instead of estriol. I really can't stand the way estriol makes me feel and I am quite sore externally. I really didn't think it could affect me systemically!

janet c

I just found this site and am really happy and excited to see all the great discussions about natural ways to deal with the menopausal changes.

I have had the vaginal dryness and thinning for over 5 years now and not only can I not use the estradiol ( it makes me feel just terrible) I can't use anything that is even yam based. So I'm looking forward to trying this Vitamin E treatment. It sounds very interesting and promising.

Thanks!

Wow. I had no idea. I'm very glad you wrote this!

MB

Ok, here's another question re: Vit. E. Does anyone out there know if it is a problem to take it orally in addition to intravaginally? I've started taking it orally every day along with my other vitamins, D, B complex, multivitamin, and ALEVE. ( (I consider Aleve one of my vitamins because it makes me feel better, without it the arthritis in my hips would be unbearable). Anyway, as many of you know, it helps hot flashes as well. I've noticed that after I spend a fortune on a bottle of Wild Yam complex for hot flashes, Vit. E seems to work just as well for me. I just want to make sure I would not be over doing it on the E by taking it orally as well as vaginally for dryness. Sometimes now I just use the oil externally to sooth the tissues and it does feel so much better.

I think you can overdose on it by doing that because it does get absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina. I checked that with a doctor. Actually I was using it a lot and in the end I had to back off as I started feeling too emotional and sensitive.
janet c

Boy, I'm glad I found this thread again. I bought vitamin E oil a couple of weeks ago and forgot why I wanted it!