I went to the gyn today. He told me that my vaginal lips are gone & that my clitoris has been "obliterated" What a way to start the week. My husband died 10 years ago, and I'm not planning to have sex again unless I remarry, which I hope to do someday. I already wondered how sex would be after a hysterectomy ( I had mine 9 years ago), but now I'm wondering what it will be like without a clitoris. You guy's posts give me more hope than the doc did. He said I should be okay in terms of the opening being big enough to accommodate my partner, but did say he could "help" with that if need be. I'm grieving my clitoris and thoughts of having great sex again. I had no idea this was so common. He prescribed some type of vaginal cream. Can't remember which right now. Any words of wisdom from you ladies out there?

[quote name='froglady' date='Aug 17 2009, 05:38 PM' post='304711']
I went to the gyn today. He told me that my vaginal lips are gone & that my clitoris has been "obliterated" What a way to start the week. My husband died 10 years ago, and I'm not planning to have sex again unless I remarry, which I hope to do someday. I already wondered how sex would be after a hysterectomy ( I had mine 9 years ago), but now I'm wondering what it will be like without a clitoris. You guy's posts give me more hope than the doc did. He said I should be okay in terms of the opening being big enough to accommodate my partner, but did say he could "help" with that if need be. I'm grieving my clitoris and thoughts of having great sex again. I had no idea this was so common. He prescribed some type of vaginal cream. Can't remember which right now. Any words of wisdom from you ladies out there.
..Quote....


Dear Froglady,

Thought this link below was some good info although it only references Premarin. There are others available that are bio ident (ie - Estrace vag cream and others). Although I believe in being direct......I am very disappointed in the words that your gyn used. Atrophy is usually the most appropriate terminology in use. I would have loved to "obliterate him" for his insensitivity. Unfortunately, as the following article illustrates, too many women are uninformed of what happens to our "girly parts" after the loss of Ovarian estrogens. Without some form of supplementation it will only get worse......

As for "helping" he might have been referencing some type of medical "dialator" that will help gently stretch the vaginal opening. Or you could try using some (well lubed) dildos prior to resuming sex. As for the estradiol creams.....I use the estrace and swear by it!! It helps facilitate blood flow, strengthens the tissues and supplements needed estradiol to those areas. However, it DOES get absorbed systemically. Start with a very low dose to begin with - especially if you've been without for so many years. Best wishes to you, JZZ

http://chealth.canoe.ca/columns.asp?column...elation_id=3224

Dear Froglady,

Thought this link below was some good info although it only references Premarin. There are others available that are bio ident (ie - Estrace vag cream and others). Although I believe in being direct......I am very disappointed in the words that your gyn used. Atrophy is usually the most appropriate terminology in use. I would have loved to "obliterate him" for his insensitivity. Unfortunately, as the following article illustrates, too many women are uninformed of what happens to our "girly parts" after the loss of Ovarian estrogens. Without some form of supplementation it will only get worse......

As for "helping" he might have been referencing some type of medical "dialator" that will help gently stretch the vaginal opening. Or you could try using some (well lubed) dildos prior to resuming sex. As for the estradiol creams.....I use the estrace and swear by it!! It helps facilitate blood flow, strengthens the tissues and supplements needed estradiol to those areas. However, it DOES get absorbed systemically. Start with a very low dose to begin with - especially if you've been without for so many years. Best wishes to you, JZZ

http://chealth.canoe.ca/columns.asp?column...elation_id=3224
[/quote]
JZZ that link is wonderful. that is exactly where I am. I went through so many uti's and antibiotics I messed up my intestines. The cream works quickly. froglady. you will be all pink again.
I drink soy milk with my tea and I think that helped in that I wasn't obliterated but nowhere near enough stop the thinning. good luck

Dear Bk,

So glad that you are feeling better and I was of help. This is much info on this topic available. Too bad the docs let women just atrophy other health problems before offering help (ie estradiol supplementation). When the "dryness" down below happened to me I took proactive measures and asked what to do. Originally, I was just offered topical lubes (to help with sex. hahaha ie - ky, vit e, etc.) My response was that I wanted to know WHY everything was getting dry and uncomfortable? THEN, and only then was I told (i also did my own research too) that when we lose estrogens the girly parts (oh, and boobs too) atrophy without hrt supplementation. I find it deplorable that they only seem to want to give us topical (non estradiol lubes initially) merely to keep us "lubed" (temporarily) for sex. I'm in peri, supplementing with bio fda estradiol, for my health first (peri symptoms AND health preventative) and also to keep my sexual side functional too. I know too many women who get to the point in post where they are in tears from the pain of attempting sex with hubby. Estradiol is necessary for many bodily functions - not just sex. Too bad no one tells us this before we start to lose it. My best to you. JZZ

So I have a question...

What if one does not want to use any form of estrogen - creams, bioidentical, or whatever? If one uses vit. E suppositories, calendula creams, etc., is there any hope of keeping the atrophy at bay with these alone?

Thanks.

Gail

Basically, the answer is no.

Everything else will topically "moisturize" the tissues and allow some degree of comfort. Estradiol is necessary to keep tissues moist, stop atrophy, strengthen tissue (also will help avoid prolapse ie- vag, bladder, retal), and facilitate blow flood.)

Some have said that vit e has some "estrogenic" value however I have not bothered to research the limited value of that. The problems result are due to the loss of Estrodial not vitamin E. nuff said.....imo However, if one does not want to supplement with hormones than one must make do with whatever alternatives offer some relief. Best regards to all, JZZ Also, a few lucky women don't have huge issues until years into full meno. Maybe you will be one of them.

YIKES!!! No more clitoris!?!? I had heard about vaginal atrophy, but I just thought that meant that things dried up and shriveled a little. I didn't know it could completely go away! I was going to try to go this alone, without any supplements, but I don't know if I want to now.