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atrophic vaginitis

Posted , 10 users are following.

Guest
Guest

sad I am vagifem for the second time after a break of 3 mths . But the itch is still really bad at night and i am makeing myself very sore my sex life with my husband is zero can anyone help is there any cream i can use as well as the vagifem i know about ky jelly for the dryness it is the itch i need to stop my GP is no help at all it is really getting me down now. I am 53 but feel much older with this menopause.

1 like, 16 replies

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  • valrog
    valrog

    Posted

    Have you tried any other hormone creams? Maybe a differnet brand would work better?
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I have a terrible itch both back and front, but mainly front and wake often through the night. (I am 60) My GP gave me Trimovate cream and it does calm it down. It is very cooling and stops the itch, sometimes for quite a while, but when it comes back boy do I suffer.

    Hopefully if you manage to get some of the above it will do the trick.

    Good luck

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi I was a sufferer but no more since my son bought me The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Wormwood. I made up the blend of oils as stated for atophic vaginitis but didn't expect much. I inserted the soaked tampon each day for six days and noted no blood by the 5th day. When I finished it was wonderful and altho it's only been a fortnight I had pain free sex.

    Even if I need to do this every few months that's fine by me cos I don't want medical intervention. I have also started my pelvic floor exercises too. Hope this is useful to other sufferers. There are loads of other recipies for all sorts of ailments -it's a really helpful book to have around. smile

  • carmarie
    carmarie Guest

    Posted

    I have tried the Hrt cream (Gynest) to try and "plump up" the vaginal atrophy and got terrible side effects so went back to my doctor who initially thought my sore vagina and anus was due to the menopause which started when I was 45. I am 48 now. My symptoms sound like many on this forum. Now I have been told she thinks it is lichen sclerosus and has given me a steroid cream. I have been using it for a week, too early to tell if it will solve my problems as at present intercourse with my hubby is too painful. So I will use it for another week then see if we can manage it with the help of the lubricant "Yes" which feels quite good, I just could not manage to accommodate much of my hubby's penis last time although well lubricated. I am not convinced I have lichen sclerosis have to see my doc again in 3 weeks. Is there anyone else having the same probs? I have been back and forth to the docs for over a year and have insisted I want a gynae referral if this does not work. I am too young to give up my love life as well, and my husband feels like he is missing out. Help :-(
    • sandra70591
      sandra70591 carmarie

      Posted

      Hi carmarie I completely understand where you are coming from. My menopause started at 44 and I am now 50. Since Xmas I have had 4 UTI's and I feel so sore down below it feels like I have a tennis ball inserted. I also have been back and forth to the doctors and they have now given me an internal and taken swabs. To say the pain was intense while they carried out this is an understatment. They confirm that inside is very red and swollen. They have now suggested using Canestan for thrush pessaries until swabs back. I to have been unable to have sex since xmas and this is make a great strain on our relationship. I have also asked for a referal to Gyne and will have to wait and see how long that takes. I don't think the doctors understand how much anxiety and depression this causes. Let hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. 
    • carmarie
      carmarie sandra70591

      Posted

      Hi Sandra. I tried Canesten to rule out thrush as I thought that is what it was. Canesten did not work. Then the doc prescribed an antifungal to rule that out. Then was prescribed an oestregen cream which gave me severe headaches and what I can only describe as labour pains so I stopped taking it (Gynest). Last time I went the doctor said she thinks it is Lichen Sclerosis which is like dryness and cracking and an itching around the anus and vagina and prescribed a steroid cream. It has taken the external redness away but inside still feels sore. I do not feel confident enough to have sex I know what you are going through I feel the same way. I have another appointment in a couple of weeks so I might try for sex before just so I can report back, although it gives me no pleasure anymore. I am not convinced it is Lichen Sclerosis although I am feeling tired a lot and sometimes you can have a thyroid problem as well as Lichen Sclerosis so I will not rule it out yet. I want a gynae referral so I will let you know what happens, as I want a firm diagnosis, not a guess. I have also had 3 UTI's. Not sure how long a referral would take Sandra sometimes you have to pester the surgery to get results. Might be worth you looking at lichen sclerosis on this site to see if any of the symptoms are like what you have and tell your doctor. Please keep in touch, I will too. xx
    • sandra70591
      sandra70591 carmarie

      Posted

      Hi Carmarie

      After reading lots of sites and forums I have ordereda Yes a gel to try out nothing to lose an could just mke things easier for a while..I go away soon on holiday and would like some sort of relief. Even when I walk it hurts. I also think I have a prolapse so this is probably adding to the trouble . The symptoms you describe above with the cracking and itching are not what I have. Im just very red and extremely sore inside and in pain all the time. So swollen and it is cause me to have stomache low down. Im really hoping that these swabs show up something and the results should be back at the surgery around wednesday time. I will up date you then.

      xx   

    • carmarie
      carmarie sandra70591

      Posted

      You poor thing. You need a test for fibroids as well and certainly push for a scan. I had a scan for fibroids some years back, and you would find it painless as the camera is smaller than a tampon and not painful like a smear (I am overdue for one and not going). Swabs on me came back negative. Try and enjoy your holiday, before I got the steroid cream, hydrocortisone helped you don't need a prescription for it you can get it at Asda pharmacy or similar but has to be used sparingly. Will wait for your next update, my appointment the Wednesday after yours took 3 weeks to see my doctor if I want to see the same one and I gave them 2 weeks notice. Shocking. If your hubby unsympathetic print a menopause or atrophic vaginitis fact sheet off this site and leave it under his nose he might understand what you are going through then. Thinking of you. x
    • sandra70591
      sandra70591 carmarie

      Posted

      Hi Carmarie Have spoken to hubby and he does understand but dont think can see light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. I'm just hoping I can find something to give me relief so I can enjoy our holiday. Travelling with friends and family 16 of  us so don't want to spoilt it for everyone. This is stopping me from doing things with the chilren like going walking as this causes rubbing and more soreness and I can't even think of getting on my bike for a ride. It's just the little things that I can't even do. ave you tried the lubricant Yes . I have ordered the started pack with the oil as well. How effective is it in relieveing the dryness if you have tried it. Have been looking into what can be done for a prolapse so I can be ready for what the doctor has to say. You can have a ring fitted which apparently pulls things up and back out of  way but needs to be replaced every few months or if I'm lucky they may be prepared to do surgery but there could be a long waiting list as not le threatening. It may be for the doctor if they dont sort something LOL. What we have to go through is unbelieveable do they not understand we are young women 50 this day and age is not old and I am not prepared to exist like this for years. I am hoping you have a good thing to say about Yes as this may lift my spirits. Its good to speak to someone that has the same problems and vent. Unfortuately my friends are either younger and have not had any problems or the same agebut are fine .  
    • carmarie
      carmarie sandra70591

      Posted

      Hi Sandra.

      I found the Yes a lot better than other lubricants , I still could not fully have sex but it was an improvement and in my hubby's words "that was better than nothing", I did not get the oil one though so could not comment on that. I used to cycle a lot but have takem up bowling so no time for the bike. I did buy some cycle pants from Aldi which are like the cycling shorts and have a padding on the gusset so that will help if it is the friction which is a problem. I also tried Lancacane for chafing (it is different to the other Lancacane) and I found this effective but this is for external use only. I have no-one to talk to either my sister is 54 and you cannot talk to her about bodily, stuff, it used to be a bit of a joke between me and my mam when she was alive. My sister went thru early menopause but hasn't mentioned any problems apart from hot flushes. I looked up oedema (swelling) and it leads on to hives and allergies and suggests an anti histamine so I might try that anything is worth a try. the term medically was physical hives/urticaria see copied text below

      Physical Hives

      There are various physical factors that trigger this skin condition and they are:

      -Sweating or body temperature changes

      -Pressure

      -Exercise

      -Exposure to cold

      -Water or sunlight although this is uncommon

      -Vibration

      Finding out what is causing your hives to appear is truly important so you can avoid that certain trigger and find the best treatment for hives. Although hives can disappear in a couple of days or weeks even if you do not exactly know what is triggering it.

      Additionally taking antihistamines can alleviate the itchiness and a lot of people suffering from the various types of hives have shown that antihistamines are effective. If they do not work for you then you need to seek the help of an allergist for other available hives treatments.

      There is another expression derma something I will try and find it. I am clutching at straws but will get some piriteze or something tomorrow, (been bowling so not near any shops today) I get the soreness coming on if I get a hot flush I can feel the area burning, or exercise so you never know. Certainly I would ask for a steroid cream Sandra it will take a bit of swelling down. My e-mail address is _____ if you want to chat anytime. This site is the best thing which has happened to me and finding you being of a similar age with similar problems. xx

      Patient Moderator Note: I have removed an e-mail address from this reply as it is the policy of patient.info to not publish these within the forums. If any user is interested in this removed information they should contact the author via the Private Messaging system requesting such. Thank you for your cooperation.

      patient.info/forums/discuss/private-messages-226361

    • sandra70591
      sandra70591 carmarie

      Posted

      Hi Carmarie

      Your email address was removed visit your private messages and I have left you my email address and you can contact me on that.

      Sandra

    • cherle52093
      cherle52093 carmarie

      Posted

      Hi Carmarie,

      My daughter was 5 when she was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus, after suffering for about 2 yrs.

      She was given lots of different cream including steroids. I tried all they gave me to no avail. She is now 21, The only time she ever got relief from itching both back and front was when I bathed her and put a cream called thovaline on her. You can buy this over the counter at your local chemist for a small price. I used this cream on all three of my babies when they were born and none of them ever suffered with nappy rash. I still keep a pot or two in just in case. I also moved to N.Z in 1992 took the tub and had the chemist over there make it up for me.  Hope this helps!!!!

    • carmarie
      carmarie cherle52093

      Posted

      Thank you I have a made a note of the name of the cream and will try it. Thanks again.
  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 Guest

    Posted

    Sandra & Carmarie, I commented earlier on the problems I had back in my 50's (I am now 66). In the US we can see gynecologists directly although in my case mine wasn't able to help me after 5 years of treatment. Instead it was my GP who gave me the Flagyl prescription I requested. It could be I was a freak case and others are not suffering from a bacterial issue as I was. Although the specialists (2) I saw could not detect anything my GP said the body is full of unidentified bacteria. The Flagyl solved my problem. I no longer have the itching & rawness, but do have atrophy which makes exams painful. My latest gynecologist has just recommended hormone cream to avoid "future" problems, but I am on the fence about it. What I can suggest to you both if you are not already aware of this is that it is important that your PH levels are in a normal range. I find that I can't use regular soap or medicated wipes (after a bowel movement) or problems ensue. I highly recommend using only a PH neutral soap like Cetaphil. In the US there are store brand versions that are less expensive.

     Have either of you considered Chinese herbs? Might be worth a try. Good luck to you both. I know how excrutiating the problem can be and agree that doctors seem not to appreciate what it is to live with it.

  • carmarie
    carmarie Guest

    Posted

    Well just got back after a gynae exam. Definitely Vaginal atrophy and have been prescribed a lower dose of Vagifem. Does anyone know if this totally stops further shrinkage? I was able to have a smear test today which wasn't too bad. I still don't know where the burning sensation comes from though. The gynae said I should have more sex to stop it drying up alright for him to say and mentioned different positions. Also mentioned if no better vaginal stretching. Sounds a bit painful has anyone used dilators before?
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