2nd Update

Sorry to hear about worrying about the twins (how lovely to have twins though!).  Shirley, did you ever try Balance Active Menopause Plus pessaries?  I feel slightly embarassed keep talking about hyalaronic acid - I really haven't got a vested interest LOL!  But the studies are showing that they are the next best thing for women who can't use HRT or don't want to (either in the vagina or orally) and they actually improve atrophy.  Having said that, I'm not totally convinced your problem is just down to atrophy, so maybe they wouldn't do anything.  I've asked Hydromol if their product is suitable for internally and will post when I've got a reply, but when I looked at the ingredients, it's based on petroleum jelly, which I then saw on a few sites, can encourage bacterial infection.  I THINK from what people have told me and even what I saw on an NHS site, that it used to be water based, but suspect that the ingredients have changed.  It's so difficult though, when you're sort of fumbling your way through product after product, trying to find an answer!

Hi Chris, Yes I got a boy and a girl. Son was born at 11.45pm on 27th Jan, daughter was born at 12.05am on 28th Jan!! So I had a baby on a Thursday and another on the Friday! Not many people can say that! Been a really really hard job though with no family support nearby so no regular babysitters or anything! Opened my eyes I can tell you! Hardest job of my life!

Never heard of the Balance Active pessaries you mention but I've looked them up now and see they have hyalaronic acid in them. I've heard of that before. Thanks for telling me about them though. Something needs to sort this Atrophy out. With you saying you don't think my problem is just down to Atrophy it made me wonder if I could have Bacterial Vaginosis or something. In short, my symptoms are soreness and discomfort inside my vagina, occasional UTI's and wanting to wee all the time. Some days the symptoms are worse than others and some days I've hardly got them at all. But I've had this on and off since July last year. I will ask the doc on Thursday if she thinks its 100% definitely Atrophy or could it be something else.

Yes let me know what the Hydromol people say. It could be very interesting. Yes very difficult when you are thumbling through product after product trying to find an answer. I will definitely look at the pessaries you mention though. :-)

So two birthdays on the trot LOL!   It must be tough though.

See if your GP will refer you if she can't come up with something definite.  You've given her enough chance to decide what this is and although I can imagine the answer isn't simple to her either, a specialist might just save your further months or even years of it.  I'll report back on the Hydromol:-)

Yes very tough Chris, especially as they have both been out of school for 5 years and my son has never had paid work! Never even looked till recently. I've got on at him at every possible moment and its really got me down. Hubby, despite me telling him straight out to back me up, and why, doesn't get it and has not once put his foot down! Very hard. Meanwhile daughter has had social anxiety! Will definitely give it my best shot at Docs on Thursday. Will look out for your post about Hydromol.

Oh, groan!  But yes, good luck at the doctors, and I'll be back as soon as I hear from Hydromol.

:-)

Sounds like atrophy,they can tell by a simple pelvic exam..i have alot of vulval irritation on and off also.

Yes I think it's Atrophy Lee. Sorry you have a lot of irritation too. I never expected any of this. I had never heard of it till I got it last year and I'm 58 so no spring chicken

Same age is me...i thought.wow ive made it through menopause..ha,not a nice surprise right?

I thought exactly the same Lee, how well I had done coming through the menopause so well. Then this! No not a nice surprise at all. It's really got me down this last year :-(

I am not a big water drinker,well today i made a conscious effort to drink more water,everything i drink is usually dehydrateing..coffee etc ..i had a better day..water i believe does help..keep hydrated.

I'm not a big water drinker either Lee but maybe I should keep a glass full at the side of me all day and see how I get on. I'm always drinking tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc too. That's a good point about keeping hydrated.

Just got the reply back from Hydromol:

Good morning Chris

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Hydromol Ointment is recommended for external use only.  As previously mentioned, for further advice we would recommend that you consult a healthcare professional.

 

Regards

Karen

So I guess this one is down to any GP's etc. who are recommending it, but my advice would be to check that they realise it's not water based, because from seeing it on NHS pages etc. it's generally thought to be water based.  It may be that the formula has been changed over the years.  This is what I suspect.  When I googled the ingredients, I got the impression that petroleum based products can increase the likelihood of vaginal bacterial infections if used internally, but if anyone wants to use it, just do a bit of research and see what you think.  But at least we have an answer from the company.  Hope that helps.  I'll also post this seperately as a new subject in case this reply doesn't get to other who asked about it.

Thank you Chris for posting your reply from Hydromol. Much appreciated. I have just used it on the outside so it shouldn't be a problem. Yes maybe the formula has changed over the years. Thanks again.

Shirley

chris, you seem to be really up on hyaloronic acid. I just looked it up and got this info on it re face creams (poor roosters!):

"Hyaluronic acid (also referred to as hyaluronan and hyaluronate) is a naturally occurring substance, present in our joints, eyes, and yes skin. Over time, our own supply of it diminishes. For use in beauty products, as well as medical applications, the substance is extracted from the comb of roosters or manufactured in a lab. Hyaluronic acid has a viscous texture, making it useful as a lubricant for joints and eyes. (Source: Web MD)

As the main ingredient of the popular cosmetic fillers....hyaluronic acid is terrific for filling in fine lines and wrinkles when strategically injected. (Source: Mayo Clinic) When it is applied topically, the molecules are too large to penetrate the skin effectively. It’s been touted as the “fountain of youth” but it hasn’t been proven to reverse the effects of aging. (Source: LA Times) For wrinkle treatment, retinols and peptides are still your best bet. However, hyaluronic does have an immediate hydrating effect on thirsty skin.

Hyaluronic acid works by binding to moisture. In fact, according to one website, it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water..... a wonderful, plumping moisturizer. Even if the effects are temporary {the can be} fairly dramatic.... skin looks younger, fuller, and more hydrated after applying it."

Interesting bit about the molecules being too large to penetrate skin, but it must to some degree.

You've probably read this from the NIH:

"After treatment, vaginal pH was significantly lower in estriol-treated women compared to those having received hyaluronic acid. Endometrial thickness did not differ between groups. In the majority of women, the vaginal microenvironment remained unaffected by treatment. However, the proportion of women whose abnormal vaginal microecological results became normal was higher in women using estriol vaginal cream. Adverse events (suspected to be) related to the investigational compounds were minor and included vaginal infection and genital itching. The authors concluded that hyaluronic acid vaginal gel was not inferior to estriol vaginal cream in women presenting with vaginal dryness. They suggest using hyaluronic acid vaginal gel not only as an alternative treatment to vaginal estrogens, but also to consider its general use in women presenting with vaginal dryness of any cause."

Thanks for that Beverly.  Yes, there are SO many studies that have been done recently and I've not seen any that said it wasn't effective (but anyone do feel free to tell me if they come across any - I'm always up for a balanced view!).  I must admit I've used the gel on my face from time to time too LOL!

My mother (who is 94!) drinks water all day long. Filtered only. She started because of kidney stones which she is prone to producing. She happend to look very good also, but that may be genetic (?) I barely drink any. I always equated drinking when you aren't thirtsy with eating when you aren't hungry. Aren't we supposed to be listening to our bodies? Apparently, not when it comes to water!

Wish I could drink water all day long Beverly. But like you, I hardly drink any. However I did drink a bit more today. Only 1.5 pints but better than nothing. I really must start listening to my body when it comes to water. It cant harm us can it.

Yesterday when i drank water my symptoms were so much better.Makes sense wed have nore irritation if tissues arent hydrated.