I am new here, having just found this website after 2 years of absolute misery. I cannot believe that everything I have been going through have been normal menopausal symptoms. I have seen doctor after doctor for my recurrent yeast, BV, vaginitis, vulvodynia, blah, blah, blah, with never a word from any of them about the big 'M'!. I was handed an rx for premarin and estrace cream, but that was supposedly to help with the facial hair, and mood swings etc. The nether regions were glossed over as just a problem to deal with. I was feeling that I was an absolute psycho with a fixation on my vagina and maybe, just maybe all the itching, burning, rawness and creeping feelings down there, were all in my head. But, from here I see that it is all part of the wonderfulness of coming of age so to speak. What joy. Well, I have read most of these posts and have gleaned some wonderful information. Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. I will be a frequent visitor here from now on. I am not alone I am sure you know how that feels. I have a question though...does this vaginal dryness, rawness, itchiness ever go away? I look forward to hearing from all of you.

HI Itchywoman,

Welcome to Power Surge! You will find a ton of great info here for your problems. I, too wonder if this ever goes away as I am taking Vagifem and would like to not have to rely on it for the rest of my life but it sure is making my life much more comfortable. I'm looking forward to hearing how you're getting along.

Shakti

Well, I got to the bottom of my itching and burning...and if you girls arent getting any results with your gyno, I suggest you try a dematologist. I wouldnt have..but what happened to me forced me to and it was the answer to my ongoing problem.

Twice, in the past year and a half, I have had burning and redness around the vaginal lips and sometimes itching, but in the hair. Between the 2 times, I would sometimes feel like I had paper cuts here and there, down there. Twice, I self treated with monistat, twice it didnt help, twice I ended up at the dr, twice no yeast or bacteria. The last time, I asked..so why am I burning..and whats this dry flakey skin I can see in the hair area? Oh..its feminine dryness.

So I was on my own. I bought every cream, lotion, and feminine product I could. That last burning spell lasted all summer...and during the following months, I still itched from time to time. I was never really satisfied with this dryness story. If that was the problem, why did the burning stop? What, for 4 months, I suddenly became moist???

In november, as I showered I felt what I thought was the head of a pimple on the top of one of my butt cheeks. It came off as I washed..I didnt look, nor give it a thought. Shortly after that, I felt a dry small circle back there. I looked and it was red, the size of a dime. I had no idea what it was, so I just applied whatever lotion I was using. A couple of weeks later, it was the same. I tried neosporin for two weeks. Same. Just before xmas, I tried cortisone cream.

A week after the new year, I noticed this thing was bigger, and clearing in the center. OMG, I thought..this sounds like ringworm. I got some lamisil cream and began to use it. Two days later, upon waking up..I felt very itchy down below. I recalled, I had been getting this itch for a while..and figured it was my dry flakey skin. I grabbed a mirror, looked and found these disgusting, huge red and purple circles..on the inside of the leg..going way back..and up the (scuse me) crack as far as I can see. Because I thought I had ringworm, I was sure this spread down there to jockitch..since its the same fungus.

Now..I am slathering this lamisil on my most personal parts...doing it twice a day with showers. I began to change my sheets, double wash my clothes, spray my rugs etc with lysol, since I didnt want to pass this dreaded fungi around.

Three days later, I called they gyno office and talked to the midwife that I use there. (I am 60, but use the midwife). I told her what I thought I had..and asked if there was something else I could use. No..she said..but thats hard to get rid of..if you see no improvement in a week call me.

I also ordered some "magical mystery cure" from the net, it arrived and I began using that. I cant say I saw no improvement..but it sure looked like slow going. A week and a half of this toxic junk and I wanted to go back to the lamisil. Again, I called the midwife to see if it was ok to use it. Yes, she said.

It wasnt 5 days later..when I began to notice more areas that were clear, now had something there that really burned. I thought I had been buring my skin. I had finally had it and made an appt to go in.

I had to wait 3 days and of course repeat the story to the midwife. She looks at the circle on my butt..and says..thats not ringworm. I said well if its not..how did I get all of this, down there. She looks down below..and says..well..this "looks" fungal..wait. I want the female gyno to see it. She comes in. Looks at the back one..says this isnt ringworm and if I were you, I would get to a dermatologist and get that biopsied. She scared me to death. She looks at whats down below and says..well..that looks fungal, but its going away..just stick some a&d or desitin on it. I pointed out the new ones. I said..are those burns? Could be..she said. Then they both preached to me about having the back lesion checked..and totally disregarding what was burning me below.

It took me 5 days to calm down enough to finally make a dematologist appt. They took me in 2 days.

The second the doctors assistant (who is just like a doctor) saw the butt lesion..she said..thats not ringworm..its psoriasis. You're kidding, I said. I said, but whats down there? She could see some of it as I was standing. Psoriasis..she said. She took a swab for fungus..I guess because I had been so sure of what it was..and of course..it wasnt.

As we talked..I told her about a dry red spot in my eyebrow..and how my ear had been peeling and red..she looked at both. Psoriasis. I had some spots on my legs..that I thought were bites or pimples. Psoriasis.

She finally asked, if I ever saw psoriasis before. Yes, I said..but it doesnt look like anything I saw on me. She said..oh..and people get this in the scalp. I said..um..I have it in my scalp. She looked..psoriasis. Just to convince me..she had the doctor come in. He checked all parts with the same conclusion and when she said..look at her scalp..he said..well, thats the clincher.

I totally forgot to ask about all of that burning I had..but, I did mention the flakey itch..she said thats what it was from. It wasnt until I left, with information overload, that I realized, the burning and redness that I had those two times..were no yeast infection. I dont even have to ask at my next appointment..now that I know..what psoriasis looks and feels like, down there.

I normal person would not be thrilled finding out they have something that they will clear up and get back, for the rest of their life, but I could have kissed those people. I knew something wasnt right down there for a long time..and now, I finally found out what it was. I am not nuts, I am not dry, I do not have any atrophy, I have psoriasis..something I never knew could affect that area.

Had I not had a flareup like this..I would never ever have gone to a dematologist to say that I had an itch or burn down there. I felt I was asking the right doctors..the ones that are supposed to deal with that part of the female body..and those two, were totally clueless...not to mention, scaring me to death.

Anyway, I am being treated with cortisone ointment, which is working pretty well. I dont itch, I dont burn and a lot of what was there is clear now.

I know many of you here have been having the same symptoms I had, and after being brushed off by gynos, are seeking your own methods. I was doing that too. What was itching and burning us is skin. If the gynos find no infections, they are at a loss. They are playing guessing games with us. Go to a dermatologist. It didnt take that girl 30 seconds to tell me what I had.

I hope my story helps someone. I believe we are so schooled to see the gyno for problems down there..that we think they know everything that could affect them. My story proves..they dont.

Hi Ducky - Glad you found a solution - what an awful ordeal!

On Estring

Is anyone using it, and how are you feeling?Would you recommend it? I've been using ky warming lube, which doesn't last and I'll be damned if I can sense any warming.... What works, and what's useless???

Duch,

It had to take all of that for me to find out what was ailing me. I would never have gone for burning vaginal lips, or itchy hair, or paper cuts. I was told it was dryness..and I believed that at first, but a small part of my mind couldnt figure out why it would go away, then return.

I can tell you the feeling of relief I had a week ago thursday, when I walked out of that office. Funny, I know..because most of us dont want psoriasis..lol

What I had below during my burning times..was just red..no lesions. Only once, I had what looked like a burn and a peeling of the skin, and it hurt like hell. I thought the monistat did it.

Now that I have had this all over the place down there..I know what those "yeast infections" were. The thing is..the gyno didnt. They didnt know what it was when it was red..nor did they know what this horrible rash all over the place was. They were as dumb as I was..thinking it was fungal.

Not all of us "older gals" burn and itch. My 97 year old aunt cant relate to what I am talking about. She never had a problem like this. I am sure she should be a whole lot dryer than we are..lol

I just think many of us are putting too much faith into the gyno when it comes to problems like this..and none of us relish the thought of showing all, to some dermatologist we never saw before in our lives.

But, if you get that feeling that you are being brushed off..or whatever magic cure in a tube they gave you isnt curing the problem..I would try a dematologist. I think you will be surprised with the results. I sure was.

aaarrrggg

Has anyone tried "Maximus" or "Wet?" K-Y isn't v satisfactory for us.

Hi Ducky

I posted too soon, and didn't see your thoughtful reply. I'll pass this on to a sister-in-law, who has been plagued by psoriasis for yonks. For me, it isn't an issue. My Obi-wan-gynobi and my gp both feel its vaginal atrophy (can't they come up with a better diagnostic term for it?). I've tried oil based lubes and they're flat out messy, so I switched to a water based one (KY) . I can't walk the flippin' dogs without risking a thrush infection, and I'm at my wits end.

Duch, I sent you a private message, since we arent allowed to mention brand names here (I think).

Hi girls! Just Ducky... you can post brand names, just not links to commercial websites. I've been having some VAJAYJAY (as Oprah calls it LOL) problems myself this past year. I read on the Recommended page here at PS that inserting a Vitamin E capsule can help. It does!! I don't do it everyday, but probably a couple times a week and I feel better. I swear my worst meno symptom right now (because as you know the symptoms change!) is dryness. EVERYTHING is dry- even my eyeballs!! I like the KY warming lube. You can use it if your not having sex - just put a little on after a shower, it seems to help.

Good Morning Girls,
I just wanted to put in my 2 sense if you dont mind.
I have stuggled with UTI's and vaginal burning for years. Back then I didnt know it was due to Peri but I was in my Early forties and now can see thats what it was and is.
So to make a long story short after going to many a doc and after many a antibiotic I figured out myself what to do for the UTI's and havent had a flare up in at least a couple of years.

What I have battled is dryness, sorness and pain in the vaginal area, I was mistaking this for a UTI because that whole area hurt, anyway this is what finally helped.
1. Someone on this website said not to wash with any soap but with Summers eve feminine wash, its great.
2. Replens works great I know some women have issues with it because you do get a lil discharge with it but you have to weigh the benefits at the first sign of burning or itching I use it everyother day for at least 3 days and its gone.
3. Calendula Off. 1X by Hylands this is 50 times stronger than VIT E, I use it everyday when I am near my period and feel itchyness and then when I am good to go I stop.
I also use it before a joyful time with hubby or the Ky jellys work good .
3. Make sure you wear only cotton underwear especially in that area.
I also have been taking probiotics which keep the freindly bacteria in check, and eat yogurt.
So this is my humble opinion of what has worked for me.
Now that I have stopped with the long spotting run I had the area wants to get a bit dry again so I will start with the Calendula and that should put the moisture back.
4. I also have a salve I use in between all this other stuff.
Since I have been using the Calendula though I have noticed a great difference, Dearest talks about this and I believe the Replens on this website you girls can double check if you want.
God take care of you.
Tinks

Hey Just Ducky,
Now the pimple like sore you had on your buttocks was it a boil? I also have had those and boy are they painful.
Actually my Brothers who are truck drivers have had them alot, and my Dad and mom use to get them.
Anyways I have found that getting some salt on a hot clean rag or paper towel and applying it to the boil really works, now it does sting at first but if you do it a couple of times a day you will notice the inflamation goes down.
Now there is also over the counter ointments called Boil-eaze (spelling is close) and apply that daily.
I sure hope this helps,
Tinks
Oh ps you know where I also get them on my inner thighs talk about painful. Hubby had told me about the salt treatment he had found somewhere on the net and it use to work great when My dad was alive.
Some people get them on there face, I am happy to say I would rather get them on my butt not funny though very painful

leanne! - I thought that was my imagination, but I've been reaching for the clears-tears stuff a lot lately!

Tinki - That's a good check list, thanks for taking the time to post it. I've covered every point, except the calendu (sp). I shall check into that asap. This is ghastly, nasty and miserable.

Ducky - oh!edemas! another old fashion home cure is to grate a little 'yellow laundary cake' soap - although I'd imagine any would do, add a couple of drops of water to make a thick, sticky paste, then infuse with table sugar. goop it on the swelling, and cover with a clean cotton cloth. May have to tape it down... Sugar will draw the fluid out.

Hiya Duch, so glad to see you again.
If you need the website to this brand let me know you can google Hylands and find it there, maybe they can tell you where they sell it in your area. It is a bit thick and just soothing and lovely.
I think that the vagina dryness and soreness can make one Batty I use to just sit and cry in the garage when I would get an attack and nothing was working, or some things were just working sometimes.
I have this lovely salve I order but I guess after using it so much it wasnt doing it totally for me,it does have the calendula oil in it but we need to have it more concentrated.
Have a good and peaceful day my freind,
Hugs
Tinkys

Cheers, Tinky

Just got home, and found this note. You're a dear to have taken the time.

I just picked up a thingee of a product called Wet (again, the name *blush* can't they come up with something less....you know) It's much thicker feeling than the K Y stuff. siiiigh. DH is getting a kick out the growing number of exotic tinctures etc on the night tables. meanwhile, I'll google "calendula for products. Ca-len-du-la Ca-len-du- la. Carnauba. I just want this whole thing to go away and leave me alone.

Good girl Duch you know we just have to take it into our own hands to figure this out. Sounds like BLUSH might serve the purpose to Now the Calendula is great because it is a bit thick and stays on even though we pee pee alot. I just keep dabbing it on thru the day. Its a yellowish color , I just luv it so good luck my freind,
Tinksisalloiledup

Tinky,

I dont know what this pimple on the top of my butt, looked like originally, because I didnt look. It felt mildly irritated and as I washed it felt like the head of it fell off..like a little scab came off...but I never saw what the scab nor the pimple looked like. You cant see back there, you have to use a mirror..and I just didnt think, to bother looking when I got out of the shower.

What made me finally look a couple of weeks later, was when I was dry, and ran my hand over the area, I could feel a little round patch of dry skin. If I was wet, in the shower, I felt nothing. When I looked, I saw a round flat red circle. I had never seen anything like that before..and had no clue as to what it was...thats when I started using first lotion a week or so, then neosporin for two weeks and then the cortisone cream...thats when it began to clear in the center..but grow larger. By the time i went to the dermatologist, it was the size of a quarter.

What I had down below, looked different. If you look up jock itch, thats what it looked like..thats why I was so sure I had ringworm and it spread. It was circles, some big, some small, all running together. Some were dark red..some almost purplish-black and some looked like burns. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in my life. I had them on the sides of the thighs way up by where the leg turns to your private parts, and all the way up the crack of my butt (I am sorry this sounds so disgusting) and what puzzled me is, the midwife told me jock itch doesnt go on your feminine parts, but I had tiny spots there..which just looked like dark red spots or small blotches or burns.

When I had what I thought were yeast infections, I didnt have all of this..I had redness and burning..and this blotchy red look. I also had a burn (lesion..that peeled), but I thought it WAS a burn from using the monistat.

Since the summer, I had dry patches on my scalp in the back. Ya know, everyone gets those from time to time..you use dandruff shampoo..they go away. These didnt. I also had a dry, red, peeling spot on my earlobe. I thought it was excema...and every winter I get a red dry patch in my eyebrow..and I had gotten a red blotch between two of my fingers. And at the same time as I got this stuff down there..I got a couple of little round itchy dots on my leg and foot.

None of these things looked the same. None looked like what I have on my butt or down below. ALL are psoriasis

Before I went to the dermatologist, I was telling a friend of mine...about all of these skin ailments I had. She said..and you dont think all of this stuff is connected somehow? I said no. They all look different.

Believe me..ya could have knocked me over with a feather when they told me what I had..and that all of these skin things were the same thing. And none even look like the psoriasis I have seen on others. I dont have any of that white scaley blotches over redness.

Of course, I cant say that what I have, is what anyone else has..but when these gynos are brushing people off with "feminine dryness" when it could be something else, its because they have no idea of what else you can get down there. If it isnt a yeast or bacterial, they dont know what it is. This gyno and midwife, both said what I had down there looked fungal..just as I thought it did. They didnt say....orrrrr..it could be psoriasis. Because, they probably dont know what that looks like down there. And she sure didnt know, when I went there last summer and was still red, but had no yeast. I said I was still burning. She saw the redness and no yeast and handed me a rx for diflucan..which did nothing. I continued to burn all summer long..and had to fend for myself..since according to them..I had nothing.

I told my midwife on 3 separate occasions that I had this dry flakey skin in the hair. The last time I mentioned it..on this last visit..when they put me into a panic over what they had no clue about..I told her I tried all kinds of lotion..and all she did was roll her eyes. It is NOT normal to have flakey skin that itches. Why didnt she ever tell me that? She didnt..because its not their field. I was at the wrong type doctor...even tho, thats where we go, when we have problems down there.

I think, in the past couple of years, I have spent 3-400 dollars on every cream, lotion, soap, feminine product..and my hoohoo has experienced more things in tubes put down there than one could imagine..lol You wouldnt believe what I just tossed in the garbage..lol

I cant tell you how glad I am that I finally know what this is and how to treat it.

It took me over a week to post this here. To tell you the truth, I was embarrassed. But, I thought maybe, my experience could help someone. Maybe, some dont really have atrophy or any type gynecological problem at all...maybe its a skin problem. Thats skin we have there..and things like excema, psoriasis, seborrhea can go there, too. Believe me..I would have never thought in a million years, that psoriasis was causing all of these problems for all of this time.

Anyway..I hope I helped someone.

Just one more thing..then I promise to get off my soapbox.

When I thought this was ringworm/jockitch..you all know what I did, right? I read every single thing I could find on the net that started with the words ring or jock.

When I called the midwife on day 3 of me self treating this "jock itch" with lamisil, I called to ask if there was anything else she could give me. You see, I knew there was. She said there wasnt. Thats what took me so long in getting there. What was the point of going into the office..if she didnt even know there were other medications out there. Every single article I read said, if it doesnt clear up in two weeks after over the counter methods, see your doctor. Now, why do you suppose that is? So..he could send you home and tell you to keep using what you bought?

My husband must have said a thousand times. Make an appointment with a dermatologist. But, thick headed me figured, its a problem down below..and for those type things..we see our gyno. He was right. I was wrong.

The stress I had from all of this was worse than any burn or itch I ever suffered. I think I lost 10 pounds in the last month and a half..without dieting..lol

Anyway..the gynos and general practitioners dont see enough of these skin problems, to know what they are. I cant believe it took this doctor less than a 30 second look, to tell me what it was.

Ok..I promise to shut up now..lol

Hi, I'm new here and had a question about vaginal atrophy. I'm 48, been without a period for almost a year and suffering with dryness. Replens works "okay", but not great and I have to remember to put it in at least twice a week. Lately I've had a white discharge and thought it was a yeast infection. (with all the itch/burn of atrophy, how do you know?) Then I read this on another site called Menopause Insight:


With vaginal atrophy a thick, white vaginal discharge is typical. This discharge can be brownish in color as well. As you’ve stated, the side effects include an uncomfortable itching sensation, often accompanied by burning when urination occurs. I’m assuming that you’ve already been diagnosed by your doctor, however if you haven’t, please see one immediately for a professional medical diagnosis.

Does anyone have experience with this symptom? Since my sister and mom had breast cancer, it's understandable neither my doctor or myself is eager to use estrogen or at least before everything else is tried. Thanks so much for any feedback.

Debra Yes I have had this and the Replens did and does work for me. Have you tried the Calendula ointment?
Its totally natural and 50 times stronger than Vit E and Vit E is great for the dryness.
You can google the name Hylands the one I use is called Calendula off . 1X its in a yellow container.
I now use it about everyday or as needed.
It has been a life saver. Yes I also get that discharge from time to time.
This vaginal problem can be a horrible thing and I have found a few good natural things that have worked.
Also I dont use any type of soap there I wash with Summers eve vaginal wash they also have a sensitive kind to.
Hope this helps you,
Tinks

Thank you so much.....I thought I was going crazy lately. When I had my check up in Novemeber, except for a few hotflashes and occasional dryness, I was fine. Then about January, I started to put on weight without eating differently and exercising, (went up 1 size) started having dryness all the time, felt irritable, and my memory was sluggish. The only good thing is I haven't had a hot flash since November.
I think this site will be a lifesaver. ****
Thank you again, I will google that tonight. I hope it works as well for me, but I'm glad you got relief.


**** Board Administrator: Link removed. Please read the guidelines.

I can't get past the first couple of weeks with Replens. It gives me a yucky discharge - white, almost papery in substance. Likely it's doing an extra good job exfoliating the vagina, which is what it is supposed to do. I gave it up last month, and today, out of the blue I had a period. (Haven't had one in a few months - I had hoped they were going to stop completely, but no such luck.) Anyway, when my period started I noticed that white, gunky, papery discharge was in my vagina, apparently since the last time I used the Replens last month (ok, now my secret is out - I haven't had sex in a month or so). YUCK! I had to scoop it out with my finger (sorry TMI). I've felt just devestated all day...dirty and just repulsed that I walked around with those dead skin cells piled up in there for a month! I guess with Replens it's either get on it and STAY on it or leave it alone all together. I've read of this white papery discharge on other websites as being a common complaint of Replens users. I think I'm going to try some natural alternatives first before I go back to the Replens. I just needed someone to tell all this to as I've been on the verge of tears all day feeling very unfeminine and disgusting. I'm just so glad that DH has been patient with me and had not pressed the sex issue. I would have been so embarrased if we had been intimate and I had gotten that gunk all over him. The only reason I started using it was some vaginal dryness and discomfort to light pain right at the vaginal opening during sex. Maybe I didn't need Replens yet? Or maybe I needed it a long time ago and if I had only stuck with it, everything would be fine now. (oh - I'm 48 and very, very peri).

Some here swear by that stuff..so I had bought it and tried it. When I saw that stringy red stuff it just about drove me up the wall..plus, my burning on the outside felt worse. I used it that once..and tossed it out. Prior to me seeing the reddish stuff..I never saw anyone else on here mention it (or never read it)..until after, so that reddish stringy stuff really scared me.

In my opinion..when our "cells" were leaving us on their own..did we bleed? Did we have gunk coming out?

My problem turned out to have nothing to do with any dryness, but if I had to use anything ever again, I would opt for the vitamin E people are having such luck with here, or something else. I dont much care for something thats gonna make me see blood..or whatever that stuff is...or produce gunk that I never had before.

I dunno..something always makes me feel better about trying natural things first..rather than chemicals.

Thanks for the words of encouragement Just Ducky. I really needed to know I wasn't alone in this today. I've read of women having discharges of just about every color under the sun with Replens (the "moisturizer", not the lubricant - wish they would explain that the moisturizer is actually an exfolliant!). most get the white papery stuff, 2nd I've heard most common is red or pink, some women even orange and brown junk. One woman said she called the company that makes Replens and the woman told her that women can get all kinds of discharges from it in various colors and not to worry.

Interesting you mention the stinging on the outside. When the stuff came out of me I got the worst soreness outside and toward my bottom. Make sense since this is a chemical exfoliator. Ummm...I don't think I've ever rub and exfoliating product down there knowingly. Especially since I can't even use them on my face without peeling for weeks and breaking out in hives!

I'm definitely going to try the natural route and am just kicking myself for not doing so in the first place.

Thanks again!

I had been using Replens but stopped (also got my period using it after 8 months) because of the discharge and I still had itching on and off. My doctor was surprised at the discharge story and didn't think it was sloughing cells off (or didn't verbally agree) but did see "gunk" as she put it when she examined me. I don't know if it is really "old cells" or from what I gleaned from talking, just the product and how it is reacting to your vaginal walls and ph. I thought I had a yeast infection when I first saw it and used 3 day Monistat and then made things worse. I thought it came back a few days later because the discharge was so thick....I ended up getting an antibiotic from my doctor (a vaginal 1 day) because although my ph was 4.5 which is "borderline normal" I had thrown my body off with all the gels, moisterizers and yeast creams, so it was a procaution. Now, I seem better, I started just using Astroglide internally and out and taking culturelle to help keep the "flora" in my system in check. I also started to eat better and make sure to take my Omega 3's and other vitamins. So far, so good.....one day at a time. I know at this age (48) it's a roller coaster ride!
She recommended an Estrogen-type cream when my Ph gets a little more off (told me not to worry about it traveling other places since breast cancer is in my family) and to try to use products more like Astroglide than Replens since they are two different products for 2 different things.

To me..dry needs "oil" If we have dryness of the skin, we use something oily to help it. Thats why I think a lot of these women have such success with the vitamin E. Its oily.

I occasionally use creme de la femme. You can buy it on the net. All it is, is a mixture of mineral oil, petroleum jelly and parafin. It has no smell, it doesnt stain and it feels natural. You can use it internally, too, as a lubricant and i dont see why it wouldnt work for dryness. All you need to have is some type applicator..which you have already from the replens. (See, its good for something, lol).

Right now, you can get a sample for a penny. You probably have to pay the shipping tho. I just ordered a regular tube and the one cent sample. Its a tiny little thing..but, might come in handy to keep in your purse.

My problem turned out to be psoriasis. Who even knew you could get it there. It took me almost 3 years..and a breakout that included my inner thighs, butt and other areas, to find out, the dryness I was supposed to have (according to the gyno) wasnt dryness..it was psoriasis (according to the dermatologist) lol. I probably had psoriasis for most of my life, very mildly and didnt know it. I still use the creme de la femme for mild burning and the cortisone medication they gave me if I actually see any psoriasis in that feminine area.

I hope you find something that works for you. You might want to give this stuff a try.

I'm new here and really having a hard time. I'm 46 and am in so much pain I can hardly stand it. Surely life shouldn't be this hard? I have severe vaginal atrophy and the outside of my vagina and the labia are so red and sore and ulcerated I can barely walk. I've been through every gynecologist in my HMO and they all just look at me like I'm nuts. Or say I should be on birth control pills. I've tried estrogen cremes which landed me in the e.r. and also a cream someone recommended on here if you can't find the Hyland claendula cream. It's for cuts and scrapes...calendula and hypericum. It burned like fire. I live in San Diego and can't find any doctor that seems to have a clue how to help me. I hear so many similar stories on this board...so many of us have the same problems. Why is it that no doctors seem to have a clue how to help? Anyway...I went out today and got some jojoba oil, which has at least kept me from jumping into the bath with a toaster. But...can anyone tell me what else to try, how to find a good doctor? I just can't live with this kind of pain...and I'm not much of a baby when it comes to pain but this is nuts. I can barely function. I haven't been able to find the Hyland calendula cream, which is odd, since there are health food stores up the wazoo in San Diego. Anyway...any support I can get will be greatly appreciated. Those of you with supportive husbands and boyfriends...you're so lucky! My boyfriend isn't much of the understanding type and is about to leave over this. At this point I don't really care...I just want some kind of quality of life!

So I hear your pain and have been there for so many years and have tried everything there is to try. Ok now I swear by the CALENDULA OINTMENT by hylands google the brand name and if you cant find it then I would go ahead and order it.
It is very soothing and even though I was on fire with pain it didnt burn me one bit.
I put it up the ol Genie and rub it in real good and also on the outside, you have nothing to lose but the pain and its natural I believe they make it from Marigolds.
Please try it I went to I dont know how many Gynos, internal meds docs and they couldnt figure it out. I did I just get very dry and very sore the pits.

Right before my period I notice extra dryness and just use this a couple times a day especailly after a Pee.

Try it please let me know what happens.
Tinks

The lady says she can't find the Hyland calendula cream Tinks!
ccg-I can empathise with you as I have had a hard time with vaginal problems since I had my ovaries removed.
However, your problem sounds much more severe and I am amazed at how little help you have been given by the medical profession!
I myself at present cannot use hormone cream but I have been using a vaginal moisturiser called Replens which has already been mentioned on this thread.
However, it does nothing for the outside.
I have been using a calendula cream-not Hylands. I think anyone will do. It could be the hypericum in the one you used is too strong for your delicate areas! Perhaps you could just try any calendula cream from a pharmacy?
The other thing you could try is high strength vitamin E oil. It comes in capsules and you pierce the capsule and apply the oil to the distressed area. You could also try Aloe Vera gel. These are all things I have tried with limited success. They didn't harm anyway.
I am waiting for the day coming soon when my surgeon will allow me to have some estrogen cream which is really the only thing to put it right!
Why did using estrogen cream land you in the ER?
I have never heard that it can cause any severe side effects.
janet c

I have had VA for about 7 years. The first 129 days were HELL!!!!!!!!!!!I had 11 UTI's and 9 yeast infections..its funny because I was just cleaning out my shed and I found the bag with the 29 different perscriptions they put me on to attempt to "cure me" since my doctor thought 45 was too early for perimenopuase(don't u just love men??)
I didn't want to go on hormones, so I tried every kind of organic and homopathic thing I could find..I drank some pretty nasty stuff. But after almost 4 months, I thought the pain would kill me, it got to the point to were walking cuased me so much pain I would just cry. I went to a hormone specialist and he told me I had vaginal atrophy. He put me on hormones and 7 years later it is almost 85% cured. I still get the occasinal "burn/itch" especially if I am stressed and I am sincerely tired of being PUNISHED because I don't have SEX! I can't just stand on a street corner
I have talked to other women just like me who feel the same. No partners...no sex=punishment
Anyway what I wanted ask do you think perimenopause effects your other skin????????
Its only been in the last 5 or 6 years, but every single june, july, aug when its HOT, I get a rash. Every year. For the last 3 years I got a yeast infection on my nipples(yeah u heard right) not only ugly, itchy but it hurt. This year I bypassed that thrill and I now I have two different rashes on each arm. On the right arm inside my elbow, very itchy, red and feels horrible. On the left arm from the shoulder to the wrist. Feels hot, is red, feels like alligator skin, but does not itch. I only use organic products, UNSCENTED, Hypoallergic products, but my skin is so sensitive...I never had this growing up...not until my mid 40's. Does anyone else get skin rashes?

skin rashes... sigh...

i can really relate to this topic. especially when i read the posts from Dakota (who mentioned lichen sclerosis) and Just Ducky with psoriasis.. i too have lichen sclerosis, have had it for around 6 years, and it's now all over me. started with just an itchy spot on the side of the minor labia, and was wrongly diagnosed as candida by my GP, even when the test came back negative!! so i saw a gyno... at least he did a biopsy, and confirmed my own diagnosis of LS, but he knew nothing about it! kept calling it lichen planus which is something entirely different. plus he said he didn't want to treat me as it was incurable. !!!!! so i went to a dermatologist.

i have given up on treating this.. as more and more patches appear all over my body, i would need to use handfuls of potent corticosteroid creams and ointments twice a day, and it's not good for a person. plus, it doesn't stop it appearing in other places, and seems to do nothing to help what is there to begin with. pointless. besides, it makes me all red and sore as well as having the rash. i stuck it out one time with my genital area, till i was so red and so sore i could barely sit, but the LS had resisted the whole treatment.

i don't know why, but using estrogen creams on my personal parts gives me the same reaction, redness and soreness.

i know i can't point anyone to the website, sigh... but i have found using Lucas' papaw ointment really helps with my personal area. LS has affected my anus as well as my genital area, and this ointment is waterproof, soothing and promotes faster healing. this ointment is an Australian product, but could be ordered online from a couple of aussie sites, just google for the brand name.

with these kind of skin disorders, keeping the affected areas from being dry and itchy is really important. i also use a calendula cream on the rest of my body, but any cream will help, i had to experiment with creams that did not make it feel or look worse.. keeping the genital area moist is very important, especially with Lichen Sclerosis, as it will thin the skin and cause splits even more so than just the dryness.

if there is anyone else with LS, what have you found that helps? and have you noted any other form of this disorder on the rest of your body? i was told it was fairly uncommon to have it anywhere else on the body, only maybe 10% of those with LS on the genital area end up with it elsewhere.

I have a question about the Hylands calendula. Sp you put this right "up there?" When I use replens it has a plunger so its inserted. The reason I am asking is because the box says for EXTERNAL use, so I want to make sure I am not putting it somehwere, where it doesn't belong. thanks~

Hiya Janet,
The Calendula ointment by Hylands can be bought off the web to. I found mine at a healthfood store. Hylands sells all kinds of great stuff. I use to use them for teething tablets for my kids and for colic to and so did my Mom and MIL.
Google it girls and try it , it isnt really a cream it is an ointment and a lil thick like the Vit E but so much much more better,
Take care
Tinks

I do put it way up there and massage it in real good. See I first tried a different form of Calendula ointment when I purchased an ointment that also had other ingred. in it.
I had tried the Vit E and it was very soothing but I say, strongly the CALENDULA works.
I believe Dearest has something on this also here on her wonderful website you just have to look for it.

Do try it, I use it when I dont really need the replens. Now you just clean your finger or if you want I suppose you could put some on a tampon and put it up, I use my finger. Rub it up real good and also leave some on the outside. If you want you can use a pantyliner if you have to it is a lil greasy. Also if you are going to have a joyful time with your hubby and he uses condom you shouldnt use it before. One of the girls said not to use them at the same time.
When I am trying to get a bit sore or itchy again I will use it right after having a wee wee (pee pee) To much information but its very important.

Google it if you cant find it in your neck of the woods ok?

Tinks

Girls the one I use says this.
Calendula Off. 1X minor skin irritations
homeopathic ointment
Its a yellow and white lil jar. I have an 800 number if you want it just pm me and I will give it to you,
Tinks

Hi tinks
I googled it but it is not available in the UK, even by mail order!
Never mind-thanks anyway
janet c

I FINALLY found the BEST thing for Vaginal Atrophy after trying every cream, ointment, lotion etc. This really works!
EMERITA..they make a Natural Lubricant & A Personal Lubricant. I have both. OMG...I have had akmost 7 days of PAIN FREE...it is wonderful & inexspensive. These products saved my life!!!!!!!

I don't know how to use this board yet...I know I'm not the most computer literate gal but still...if someone can help that would be great. I have also tried everything on this board...Tink's calendula ointment and vitamin E as well as all the oils mentioned....calendula, jojoba, tea tree. I guess the vitamin E has worked best but still. The reason I had (and many other women have) such bad reactions to estrogen creams, be they synthetic or natural, is that estrogen makes the tissues swell. And if your tissues are already dry and inflamed...well...the pain is unbelievable. Forget walking, sitting...even moving. It's just agony. Who can have that and still function? Evidently not me. I don't know what else to do...I'm very nervous about hormone replacement. I would like to find a doctor that is well versed or specializes in this kind of thing but haven't been able to and don't know that I could afford it anyway. I already pay a fortune for my health insurance and they haven't helped me one bit other than telling me to go on birth control pills. I am just very frustrated.

ccg, I used this site to find my doctor and I can't tell you how happy I am that I did:
Find a Hormone Therapy Doctor
They only have doctors/nurses that do bioidentical hrt. I was nervous, but I needed help. They put me at ease. As for the vaginal dryness, have you tried a vaginal moisturizing cream with phyto estrogen?

Hi. I have used coconut oil for dryness. I really like the consistency. It will melt but is not sticky at all.

Buffy hello! Did you have atrophy, really bad red tissue and burning? I am having a small meltdown as today I realized I have vaginal atrophy. My husband and i tried to have sex last night and I got out the astroglide for sensitive etc., as usual and WOW the burning and pain were unbeleivable. I had noticed some strange things over the last month, I self-treated for a yeast infection which wasn't "yeasty", after walking my usual 3 miles I would feel burny and itchy, not right. I am trying not to cry over this as I am walking around today feeling as if I have been kicked in the crotch...next week is my birthday and I am also getting two teeth pulled and a partial denture as a nice 48 years old present. I am feeling so over the hill. I just came out of a bad car accident for the last years where I couldn't have sex without bad pain in my muscles and bones involved and now this. I need to walk for my physical therapy in my pelvis. I am just feeling sorry for myself and have spent the day on the web trying to educate myself. I am menopausal and extremely sensitive to chemicals in cremes and lotions etc., . Mother and sister had breast cANCER. My naturopath tried to put me on DHEA but even on 2 1/2 mg per day I was getting a weird cramping in my uterus. I was taking topical Emerita progersterone but it was giving me hot flashes. My naturopath can't figure me out. I'm low on estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. The hot flashes stopped when I stopped the Progesterone. I am thinking of trying an intravaginal estriol creme along with super lowdose progesterone. Any experiences out there with all of you ladies in this department? I am going to try the Emerita lubricant. I am just worried that anything I buy will burn and sting. I tried putting vit E up last night after sex and it hasn't helped at all. I am also looking at a product with an aloe base, will let everyone know, it is from Holland. Sorry for writing all of this, I am on the verge of tears. I have had some hard knocks these last years and this is like the last straw. My marriage has already been hit hard by the last 3 years while we spent thousands upon thousands looking for someone who knew what they were doing to figure out what was wrong with my pelvis ( had to leave the u.s. for that!) and we just barely had an interlude of cautious sex and now this. Hubby is 11 years younger and healthy...and here I am going in to my first solid year of menopause, getting dentures, and now the incredible burning twat problem. I'll get over it, I'm determined to....please someone write me back as I am in need of sisterhood and all. I was so happy for a while here with menopause. I kept saying how wonderful it was! No period, no sore breast, no mood swings. I was so happy and thinking things were finally under control....this is cruel and horrible. I had no idea the suffering out there from dryness and burning...sorry for rambling...

(((((Fofura)))))
Loads of hugs and support coming your way!
I can't really be of any help to you as my body has chosen a different set of meno-symptoms to "enjoy", but we are together in menoland and it will pass!
Keep your spirit up, look after yourself and treat yourself daily to something nice!
You're not alone!
God bless, Jonie

Oh THANK YOU Jonie!!! I am so determined to find ways around this. It was overwhelming to enter this site and read all these horror stories of my sisters out there. Women suffer so much, I knew this already, but here I thought my first year of menopause was just sailing by fine like my mother's..HA! I had NO IDEA the quantity and quality of suffering out there. Thank you for writing me. I was up late reading and of course didn't sleep so well but once I have figured out where the problems are I am like a 5 star General....I'm on it and these symptoms are going out of my life....I've pretty much figured out that one has to do their own research and then find a doctor or naturopath willing to let you have some free rein with your own bodily intuition...I've tried things "their" way...enough. I'm doing it my way. Hope to post soon with good news! Best wishes to you Jonie!!!

Good on you, 5 Star General!
Looking forward to reading your good news!
It's great to have a positive attitude, that always helps - and a sense of humour!
Hugs, jonie

fofura,

I also have vaginal dryness--only my worst effect from it was frequent urinary tract infections and everything down there seemed to have withered up and felt loose and I had stress incontinence. Vaginal estriol cream put me right.

Like you--I went through my first year of no periods without a hitch--then the vaginal dryness hit.

I have read on another board about a woman who has had the terrible burning you mentioned. Her Dr. gave her something called vagifem which has given her relief. I think she said they were tablets that were used vaginally.

So, you see, there are remedies out there. There is hope. I hope you feel better really soon.

Miss Tibbs

Hi Miss Tibbs!
Thank you for writing me! What kind of estriol cream are you using? Is it a bio-identical compound in a base cream or a gel? I'm going to call my naturopath and am thinking of talking with the pharmacist from this site. Couldn't hurt at all. How often were you told to use it? the cream I mean. I am so darn peed off about this dryness thing. I'm past the weepy woe is me stage! I just got done ordering a ton of Emerita products from a place called Better Health International. The prices are incredible. Emerita is actually from my city but boy the prices on-line are half-off! I got all their lubes, phytoestrogen cremes, stimulating cream, the works! I also ordered a ph identical gel and lube combo kit from Multi-Gyn Usa. They have some really great studies of this stuff created in the Netherlands by a woman. I am also looking in to taking "Maca", the herb. I am going to start by using the Maca first, with no hormones in my body just to keep it scientific ( as far as I'm concerned!). Then if I don't see any changes with that I will move in to the progesterone creme again and hopefully have my estriol cream. I know I'm just blathering everything out here but I am DETERMINED to take this negative and turn it in to a POSITIVE. I am re-doubling and re-focusing my efforts as far as my diet, mental health, and physical are concerned. Time for a tune-up!!! This was a wake-up call that the times they are a-changin and I need to get with it to fortify and build on what I
DO have left of my health! Burning "bush" be damned -I headed out to the nature track today and did my fast walking as usual, and the whole time I was giving thanks to God for what I do have, and talking out loud to myself that I WILL overcome this and all other challenges I am facing, that today will be just a memory at some point in time, that I am beautiful and have so much more left to live for!! That I am LUCKY and BLESSED with all that I have even tho it might be little compared to most! This might sound awfully cheeky but I'm not embarassed to say that I have started a program that is including daily masturbation to help revitalize and send blood to my tissues. If I am not having sex often enough with my husband, and for now I am in pain, why wait to start natures best lubricating system??? I haven't really seen anyone talking about it too much or as an aide but it seems a no-brainer to me! I don't want to lose my sex drive or my lube system!!! I think my husband will be ecstatic if I tell him we have to have orgasmic sex EVERY DAY, even if it isn't with penetration!! ahahahaha!
I'll keep you posted here how things go
!!!

((((Fofura))))))
Great attitude! I love your sense of humour!
I can just imagine your husband walking around with a big grin on his face!
He'll be thinking his on his second honeymoon and be praising God daily for the "joys of meno-land"!!
Burning bush - oh boy, you have me in stitches!
You've put a big smile on my face to start this day!!
Thank you!!
Jonie
PS One day it will pass, and you'll have exciting memories...

At my annual this year I asked my gyno about my dryness and painful attempts at sex, and he said that I had vaginal atrophy. In fact, he said that I had actual SHRINKAGE and asked if my hubby was unusually small. Gahhhhh!!!!! Could he have embarrased me more? I informed him DH was quite normal, thank you, and by the end of the conversation he said my problem was I wasn't having sex enough. Well, DUH! I ahven't been having sex because it was dry and uncomfortable. I have been using Emerita and it helped with dryness temporarily, but, other than one successful attempt, sex was just too painful to think about. And quite frankly I didn't want it anyway.

My gyno then told me that his solution to all this was for me to have sex with DH at least once a week. He told me to continue using the Emerita or Astroglide. He made me promises that both the pain and my sex drive would improve....the old "use it or lose it" theory. He also told me to feel free to use Carlson Vitamin E suppositories if I desired in between times.

Well, I left his office feeling absolutely humiliated, old and dried out. DH rather liked the doctor's prescription so we tried it.

I'm happy to report that things are progressing nicely. Fofura, I try to make sure that I have an orgasm at least a couple times a week (with or without DH). My gyno told me the more "action" the more blood flow - etc., etc. I've found it to be true. In the past month I've been able to have sex with DH without using any Emerita or Astroglide at all. The natural moisture has returned just as my gyno promised it would - it just takes a little longer to get my engine revved up than it used to - but she still runs just fine!

I have noticed that I still feel kind of dry/itchy/uncomfortable in between "happy moments" though, so I think I'll start onto the Carlsons Vit. E a couple times a week.

One other thing...I'm making sure that I get enough "good" oils. I eat a couple avacados per week now, olive oil and take cod liver oil almost every day. I've noticed that the skin on my entire body is less dry now. I eat a low fat, low carb, sugar free, high veggie & fruit diet, so I think the addition of oils in my diet is important. Maybe someone else could benefit from this.

So while I'm not feeling like I did at 25, I am seeing some improvement. I really thought my sex life was over and was literally despondent over it. I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at now - starting to feel sexy again (and interested!), and I'm hoping the Carlsons improves the in between times so that I feel like my old (younger) self again without this darn itchiness.

Hey!Just checking in again! I want to share some great info about a product I ordered. I don't know the rules but I ordered something called BIOCLIN gel and also of the same brand LUbricare. These are from a company called MultiGyn in the Netherlands. This stuff is incredible. It is made of 83% of a special extrct from the aloe plant, chamomile,calendula, tea tree oil and rosemary extracts. Its the smame ph as normal vaginal tissue and actually kills any harmful bacterias. They have great research on their website. I tried the Emerita gel but it burned like crazy, any other time would probably be fine but when your tissues are irritated and red to start with....this product causes a tingling at first, they tell you this, but there is a BIG difference between tingling and burning. I slept like a baby last night, and actually realized how I USED to feel up there: lubed anbd happy!!!! They recommend a 5 day treatment for most cases..I'm going to order a case!!!!!! It works it works!!!!!
fofura!

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Thanks so much for the information! I just ordered the Lubricare and gel and it really sounds promising! I have had no success so far with estrogen therapy. I tried premarin which was horrible.....then vagifem tablets which I think were starting to work after two weeks but my insurance carrier wouldn't cover them and they would cost me 90 dollars a month....then estrace cream which I've been using for two weeks now with no relief at all. I see the gyno again in two weeks and I'll be complaining once again. I really wish I could stick with the vagifem tablets. The insurance company is insisting I use the estring but I refuse. I don't want a ring inside of me for three months...I never even used a tampon in my life!! just seems unhealthy. And it has silicone in it. Creams just kill me so the tablet was a perfect choice. I did try alot of over the counter products to no avail. I even tried vitamin E capsules. And calendula ointment. Now that I"m using estrogen, I feel really lousy too. It's like starting menopause all over again. I feel so tired, bloated, depressed, and have anxiety and palpitations which I haven't had for two or more years! And I can't loose weight! I feel so old at the age of 54. I was fine going through menopause...so I thought. It's the POST menopause that's a killer!!
I can't wait to try these new products. It surely can't make me any worse!
Thanks again for the great info!
Steviechaser