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Atrophic Vaginitis

Posted , 17 users are following.

June_Kavanagh
June_Kavanagh

It has been a great relief to discover that other women of my age are also experiencing this awful condition. I am 61 and really the only menopausal symptom that bothered me was/is vaginal dryness. I was prescribed HRT for 5 years after which it was suggested that I should discontinue that medication. The problem was that I soon discovered that appalling discomfort when attempting intercourse. I did some research and asked the Dr for Vagifem, which was prescribed. It did seem to work but as soon as that is discontinued after 2/3 months the problem reoccurs and the doctors seem reluctant to prescribe further treatment. After several months I read about Sylk, but really not very effective. After a lapse of several more months I decided to go back to the surgery and ask for another course of Vagifem. After an hour in the waiting room sitting with bronchitic patients, the Dr finally prescribed another course!

My concern is that surely we should not have to undergo this constant roller coaster to get something so basic. How many more decades are women supposed to put up with this unnecessary misery?

The effect on relationships can be devastating and it's about time this condition was properly addressed.

8 likes, 46 replies

46 Replies

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  • blakej1
    blakej1

    Posted

    Vagifem is only a topical treatment therefore if you stop using it, you will be dry. I was fed up with the discharge vagifem caused me so now I just use good old ky jelly. You can use it every day, wheneve you like and it doesn't leave you with white discharge, just clear clean lubrication.
  • sue73
    sue73

    Posted

    Vagifem isn't "only" a topical treatment: it contains oestrogen so does improve the quality of the vaginal walls, if only temporarily. Many post-menopausal women find good old KY just doesn't do it for them any longer so need something more medicinal. Count yourself lucky!
  • blakej1
    blakej1

    Posted

    I know exactly what it is, what I meant was it is put into the vagina then would stop lubricating once it was stopped. I'm not lucky, I have 5 years of treatment with polyps and all sorts and gave up in the end. I have a wonderful husband who is patient, so I am lucky in that way. I have total atrophy so am not lucky just the same as most people. So being patronising and argumentative is very negative I must say.
  • blakej1
    blakej1

    Posted

    Just a small thing worth mentioning, I didn't say I was penetrated, just lubricated to be able to walk without being sore. Penetration isn't the only way to have sex! Good luck, I wish you had a more patient partner.
  • sue73
    sue73

    Posted

    Sorry, I was being envious, not patronising. I too have total atrophy which to me means I cannot be penetrated at all, so KY is no use for me (neither is anything else!). "Topical" to me means something that is applied locally which is both vagifem and KY, but vagifem is also absorbed by the vaginal walls to a certain extent and the effect does last more than the event, so to speak. I still think you're lucky if you can manage any kind of intercourse!
  • sue73
    sue73

    Posted

    Ooops, our posts crossed! I did misunderstand you and I am completely sympathetic. Yes, of course penetration isn't the only way to have sex, but my partner just doesn't see it that way unfortunately.
  • blakej1
    blakej1

    Posted

    Then you must be under such a lot of pressure and just maybe it makes you feel guilty! Some men just don't get it do they? I hope you find a way.... Jane
  • sue73
    sue73

    Posted

    I am under enormous pressure and have been for nearly ten years now, and yes, I feel very guilty, however much I know it's not my fault and I've done absolutely everything I can. He is just always angry and frustrated, and it's in complete contrast to how he is the rest of the time, a lovely man. Of course I do what I can for him, to put it delicately, and I'm not shy about it! – but it's not enough for either of us. I miss intercourse soooo much, So I hope you won't take it wrong (as we rather got off on the wrong foot!) if I say I find it immensely consoling that you can't manage penetration at all either – sometimes I think I'm the only woman on the planet so afflicted. I can't get any sense out of my GP about how common this is.
    • mindy93747
      mindy93747 sue73

      Posted

      Sue and Blakej1. , you aren't alone . I suspect that there are more of us out there but this is one of those things no one talks about . Or wants to believe can happen to them . I wish to God that I had had access to this site 11 years ago . I would have known to use the dilators . My Dr. didn't even adress this possible side effect from the cancer treatment . ??????

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 mindy93747

      Posted

      Hello Mindy, Sue and Everyone.....

      I am new to this forum and grateful for all who are sharing.  I have been diagnosed with Atrophic Vaginitis for a few years. I am 64.  My GYN doctor recommended Vagifem 2 times a week.......unfortunately because at the time I did not have any symptoms ......I did not take meds as I felt no discomfort and I have been on so many other medications due to my Chronic Urticaria.  I was getting UTI's after "trying" to have intimacy with my husband and after UTI was gone I still felt like I had one, that was the beginning of discomfort about 6 months ago.....unfortunately finding out that the discomfort was due to my Atrophic Vaginitis ....Ugh!  So I have been doing the Vagifem 2 times a week for the past few months.....the discomfort is much better now and pray it stays...just concerned about taking the Vagifem so much.  Wish there was something more natural that would work.  My GYN doctor described AV as thinning of the vaginal wall after Menapause ........he also said that having more intercourse actually helps or ladies that had  intimacy more often have less issues.........Unfortunately for me even with the Vagifem my husband and I are still not able........ I am going to make an apt with my doctor to see how bad it is now.  MIndy you mentioned dilators? Have not heard of that....do they work?  I too feel so guilty and feel so badly for my husband......are you concerned about taking Vagifem so often?

      thank you all for listening and sharing.

      Best 

      Wendy

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 sue73

      Posted

      Sue, although this thread seems to have started years ago it just showed up in my inbox today. Some comments seem to have been placed maybe years ago and some very recent. I hope you have been reading other threads on the topic as well, because you certainly are NOT alone. Your last comment re your GP astounds me. I just googled and according to the American Association of Family Physicians, up to 40 percent of postmenopausal women have atrophic vaginitis.(Sep 2, 2015). How could a doctor not know this? Find another doctor or print up info on the topic and bring it to him/her. If you have not been part of the Mona Lisa thread please search for it. There are some alternative treatments now other than HRT. Some women are reporting great success with the Mona Lisa, others use coconut oil, some Vit E, different lubes. In other words there are options out there.

      I'm very sorry to hear about your husband's attitude, but he sounds very selfish. You have no control over this. That would be like a man being angry at his wife for developing breast cancer, or you being angry if he had prostate problems. Maybe he needs some counseling; he certainly needs to grow up. None of us expected this to happen to us. How many even knew about it? I don't have a sexual partner and have not for a long time, but as I can't tolerate an exam because of the pain I certainly could not tolerate intercourse. Because my symptoms are under control I don't think much about my AG and keep putting off a return visit to the gynecologist. Her recommendation was Premarin cream, but I really would rather avoid hormones (my sister has stage 4 breast cancer and used HRT). I want to discuss the Mona Lisa laser treatment with my doctor, though I know insurance doesn't cover it. 

      By the way, my sister's husband has been totally supportive of her despite her having no breasts and I'm sure the chemo and radiation have finished off their ability to have intercourse. So please don't beat yourself up over what has happened to your body and not being able to "satisfy" your husband. You are not the problem; he is. Things happen to our body and we have to deal with it the best we can. 

    • mindy93747
      mindy93747 wendy62425

      Posted

      Hi Wendy, sorry to hear your in the av boat. Regarding the dilators, the doctor prescribed me bed are a series of progressively larger wands that you insert daily ( or as often as you like ) and leave in for a period of time. They are designed to stretch the vaginal muscles in order to facilitate intercourse. I found those very uncomfortable because they are hard and rigid. So I found ones more like a real penis , made of rubber. They are actually personal vibrators but they come in differant sizes . The vibration certainly helps ! And it can be a couple's thing as well !! Use as soon as you can, they are vital to keeping you opened up . I hope this helps you !!

    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 mindy93747

      Posted

      Mindy, the silly rules of this site may not allow it, but can you try to give some hints as to the brand name or how you found them? Thanks.
    • mindy93747
      mindy93747 beverly52803

      Posted

      Hi Beverly . I cannot remember the brand name of the dilators I purchased , sorry. What I did is Google vaginal dilators and search from there . The one I purchased had sleeves of graduating circumference that you could slide over a thin vibrating dilator. DEFENITLY get one that vibrates. WARNING !!!! DO NOT BUY FROM CHINA ! I DID AND THE DYE ON IT CAUSED A REACTION THAT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS ON FIRE !!! It was so bad I almost went to the E.R. !
  • blakej1
    blakej1

    Posted

    The only way my husband understood is when I said I was female impotent. He could relate to it then. I also have reduced pleasure on my other 'bits' and can't always make it to the end. I usually invite him into the shower and give him a treat and this brings back the bond. I went through years of guilt having started the menopause at 40 - 6 months after we were married (I was a widow). But we've sorted it now, thank goodness even if it is 18 years later. My consultant was amazing but the GP rubbish! So keep trying to find a way to bring back the bond, I hope you do.
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