1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Atrophic Vaginitis

Betnovate or another steroid on sensitive areas?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

I'm pretty sure I have vaginal atrophy and, when I went to the surgery a day ago I saw a nurse practitioner.  She was quite concerned as my vulva and labia are red and sore - I've had the itching and soreness for some time.  She prescribed Betnovate, twice a day and I'm to go back in a fortnight for a follow-up.

However, I've read the leaflet with the cream and it says quite clearly 'not to be used on private parts'.  So, I'm now quite worried.  Am I going to make things worse?

I'm going to ring the surgery tomorrow and, hopefully, see a doctor, but just wondered if anyone else has been prescribed a steroid cream to use in this area.  If your symptoms were similar, what treatment was offered?  I've just been using a vaginal moisturiser since having this problem, but it's obviously not very effective.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • linda87515
    linda87515 Cheetah

    Posted

    Betnovate is certainly not the answer it is more for acne and rashes.  Go to your doctor and get some proper cream and diagnosis.  Don't leave it because if you get it back it takes months of agony to get right believe me.

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah linda87515

      Posted

      Thanks Linda.  I've spoken to the doctor this morning and feel reassured.  She explained that Betnovate should only be used externally and this was what the leaflet meant.  She said it was to reduce inflammation and I certainly have that!  I also discussed the amount to use.  What on earth does 'sparingly' (which is written on the box) actually mean?  She told me to use a very small amount to rub in and there shouldn't be any left on the surface.

      When I used it today I saw that there was an improvement from yesterday, so it definitely seems to be working.  I will be seeing the doctor again in a fortnight and, if everything has calmed down, I'm hoping to discuss what I could use to help the problem long-term, so that I don't have this situation again.   Eighteen months ago I chose to try a moisturiser rather than a hormone cream, as I was concerned about the risk of uterine cancer.  However, I may have to re-think this, as the moisturiser obviously hasn't worked very well.

      ?Thanks again.

    • Enna1
      Enna1 linda87515

      Posted

      True but it worked for me and what's more I think the betnovatecwas out of date by many years!!

  • samantha1970
    samantha1970 Cheetah

    Posted

    Ask for a referral to a vulva dermatologist. People with Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen planus use betnovate and stronger steroids on the vulva. Ideally you should receive an official diagnosis. Take a look in these groups and see if anything maybe familiar with red sores. I used Dermovate (strongest prescription steroid) twice daily for couple of weeks and then reduced doses and now I'm on twice weekly.

  • carmarie
    carmarie Cheetah

    Posted

    Yes lube beats everything. Steroids thin the skin which makes the problem worse. See previous posts
  • polly01044
    polly01044 Cheetah

    Posted

    I've used this it's fine. Doesn't even sting. Improves things gradually over a couple of weeks. Was also worried about the leaflet scary info but my Doc said she has never seen this effect, even from people who have used it for years

  • Suki_girl
    Suki_girl Cheetah

    Posted

    Just one caution. Steroids on that area can make you susceptible to thrush, which you don't want on top of everything else! My gyne prescribed Daktacort for my sore, fragile vulva skin which is a steroid but also contains an antifungal to combat thrush developing. The patient leaflet doesn't say anything about not using on private parts just that it is for use on external areas only. Steroids can thin the skin, but my gyne said not the type of skin on the privates. Some people get on with steroid creams, others don't. Also, some can develop a sensitivity to it with long term use - I did. After a couple of months use it began to sting me and made the soreness worse.

  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    Thank you Samantha, Carmarie, Suki Girl and Polly.  So far, things do seem to be calming down and I don't have any adverse reactions to the steroid.  Thanks for the warning about thrush, Suki Girl, it's always good to know, in case I do get it.

    I'll know more when I see the GP in 10 days time.  My GP suggested that I may be referred to see a specialist.  One question.  You suggested I see a vulva dermatologist, Samantha.  I assumed any referral would be to a gynaecologist, as the cause of the problem is AV?  Am I wrong about this?

    • samantha1970
      samantha1970 Cheetah

      Posted

      Hi, I think you need to consider two things: a gynecologysit looks after the function of the female internal organs whilst a vulva dermatologist looks after the vulva/labia - the skin outside the vagina. 

      Im a little confused if you have vaginal atrophy or as you say you have a sore and inflamed labia. 

      I had a sore vulva/labia which was itchy. To the naked eye you couldn't see anything. A gynaecologist looked at it and told me I was crazy and as he couldn't see anything nothing was wrong with me and everything was in my head. He wrote that in a letter to my GP. I was so upset. This guy works NHS and private patients and was suppose to be one of the best in the region. After his conduct I would've reported him to the GMC for his treatment of me but I was going on holiday same evening. I went back to my GP and I got referred to a vulva dermatologist. What a dream. She listened to me, was unsure from visual appearance what it could be as you couldn't see much at all. Biopsy confirmed LS. Goes to show that a biopsy is valuable. I'm now under treatment. 

      Ive had a hysterectomy and I'm 46 now. I'm assuming into peri menopause as I kept my ovaries. 

      You haven't mentioned your age or any other situation?

      Can you provide more information on your symptoms please?

      thanks 

  • polly01044
    polly01044 Cheetah

    Posted

    If you get trimovate, instead of betnovate, it includes antifungal, betnovate strength steroid and antiseptic. It eliminates all the thrush problems
    • Cheetah
      Cheetah polly01044

      Posted

      Thank you Polly, I'll certainly bear that in mind if I have to use a steroid cream again.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.