Hi All--

Why do we accept having to put lubes & stuff like Replens up ours V jays to make soothe itching or dryness as we become meno when we do NOT accept such concepts as douching when we are in our premeno yrs?? I did try douching once...got a nice yeast inf & never again. That was the only time I had a yeast inf until recently after using Replens acquired another yeast inf. So am wondering....BTW, I am somewhat dry, but not terribly so. If I have SR, I noticed I might be intiially not too wet, but as things progress & I orgasm, my moisture much improves. I am not YET post meno though have not had a period for 2 mos...

Also, what about the hormones our adrenals produce post meno? Aren't they enough for our bodies' needs since we are no longer able to get pregnant? It seems to me the high levels of E & P are necessary for reproduction, but once that function is gone, why would we need them? I think our bodies are OK without those things -- I keep hearing how great one feels post meno & am thinking our premeno bodies expend alot of energy ovulating etc & once that is over with...we get new energy.

I keep hearing that menopause is a natural event, but it seems tied to medical problems like heart disease etc. As a woman, I certainly get the feeling that my body will just fall apart as soon as periods cease. Even my stupid doctor told me I was OK long as I had periods.....but I certainly haven't missed them since June. I don't feel my body does either.

bumping this up so maybe you will get replies....

Douching is squirting water into the vagina to supposedly "clean" it out. That presupposes it is dirty when in fact it is self cleansing. Douching messes with the delicate balance in the vagina so is not recommended and it can cause yeast infections or worse!.
Replens on the other hand is specifically made with the correct balance for a healthy vagina so it should not cause problems. I, myself have used Replens as my only form of vaginal health since my cancer surgery and I have never once had yeast. I have found it marvellous in every way although sometimes there is a white discharge with it.
There are so many other things that can cause yeast such as tight synthetic underwear or strong soaps and deodorants. I would doubt Replens would cause it.
If you feel your body will be ok without adding extra hormones then I agree-why fix it if it ain't broke? I am sure your body will not fall apart if you are feeling ok
I myself am 4 years Post and have not taken E or P because my cancer was hormonally fuelled. I had a very hard time going cold turkey after my surgery but now my body is adjusting. However I do use testosterone because it makes up for the T which my ovaries would still be making if I had them-even after menopause.
Our risk of heart disease becomes the same as a man's after menopause because we supposedly lose the protective element of estrogen although doubt is being cast on that theory lately. I, myself do not worry about it. I make sure I do plenty of exercise, keep my weight level and eat healthily.
Some women do need extra hormone support and others do better without. I am not falling apart anyway if that is any reassurance for you-I am doing fine


janet c

I agree with Janet c completely. Douching is a really bad idea. The vagina is a special environment that is quite capable of keeping itself perfectly clean and healthly because of its own special micro environment. Obviously outright infections like yeast which can be encouraged by hormonal imbalance, need to be treated but then the object must be to let the vagina get back to its normal status quo so that it can protect you. Douching wrecks the lovely balanced cushion of protection which can cause all manner of problems. In some ladies dryness and atrophy due to low oestrogen can be a real problem and that needs to be treated like any disease process and will respond to HRT therapy, which may be required if it is very severe. The dryness is not a myth and can be very unpleasant for some women. Topical oestrogen creams if used very carefully can give great relief with minimal side effects in most cases just to keep things from drying out too much. I think that it is important to remember that at certain points in the shut down process the dryness in the vagina appears to be a problem yet when all the hormones settle at menopause itself, lubrication returns to its normal state. That is certainly what happened to me! At one stage sex was completely off the menu because it was so uncomfortable and now almost 3 years post and no supplementation: Things are fine.
I for one, do not miss my periods at all. My body is starting to feel comfortable and balanced as the new 'me' emerges. It has been a long process but well worth the wait. I feel that if you give your body the time and space to struggle through all the changes you will do much better in the end. If at that stage, problems still remain, then by all means seek medical intervention.
I just think that at certain stages during the shut down process, lubrication becomes weak and the poor old vagina deserves a little help until things improve.


XIII