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Discomfort all the time. Replens? Topical hormone treatment?

Posted , 12 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

I saw the GP yesterday who diagnosed Atrophic Vaginitis.  I'm 69.  I've been using Sylk, which was prescribed by the nurse practitioner, without an examination, but it hasn't been particularly successful for me.  As I didn't really want to use hormone treatment, unless I had to, the GP has now prescribed Replens for me to try and I've to go back to her in six weeks.  If this doesn't work, then we'll be talking about topical hormone treatment.  The difficulty is that I am in discomfort al the time - soreness, itching etc., so this isn't purely a sexually related problem.

Have others used Replens?  How did you get on with it?  Did it help?  What about topical hormone treatment?  How easy is it to use and how successful is it?

I'd be interested in hearing the experiences of others who have this problem, particularly if it's an on-going situation and not purely sex related. 

Thanks.

1 like, 57 replies

57 Replies

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  • tracy12090
    tracy12090 Cheetah

    Posted

    Hi, I hope the ladies here have since found relief relief. It seems one solution is not for all and it's a trial and error process. As Vagifem have worked for me although I think the symptoms maybe relieved AV is not reversed unfortunately unfortunately. I also find Sylk was the best lube as you don't need to use too much and it doesn't dry too quickly. Carlsons Key E suppositories are also helpful if it's just dryness that is causing irritation sometimes just half a capsule I'd adequate. If constant thrush is a problem I have found a garlic capsule once a day reduced the frequency as garlic is supposed to impede the growth of candida. Ginseng is also helpful to increase blood flow and sex drive I'm told.

    Good luck ladies

    • tracy12090
      tracy12090

      Posted

      Apologise for doubled words theirs no edit button :-)
    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, How long were you using Vagifem before they started working for you? I've been on them since Xmas. About 4 weeks ago I saw the doctor and told her they weren't helping much but she told me to keep using them twice a week. So I am still using them. Maybe the soreness has dialled down a bit but its still there, as is the wanting to wee all the time. Having said that though, perhaps the intensity of that is less too. Some days are a bit better than others and some are worse. Friday was bad. I just couldn't be bothered going anywhere or doing anything. Perhaps I should try Sylk or the Carlson's Key E suppositories. Yes I was told its the dryness that is causing irritation. Must admit I had not thought of using garlick capsules for thrush though. Glad to hear the Vagifem worked for you. This VA has been/is a real bind. Fingers crossed its not too bad today for any of us suffering with it.
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      Hi Shirley, it's a bit of a journey AV and hard to stay positive and keep going but please do. It was a gradual process with the Vagifem and my dose needed to be increased so maybe that might be something to talk about. I noticed I actually spent a day not being so aware of the irritation after about 3 months after the increase using them daily. Then it was reduced to a couple of times a week to maintain which all worked successfuly for me.

      This was previous to my oopheorectomy where my oestrogen levels were obviously then nil. I now use Livial plus Vagifem.

      Hope this helps :-)

    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, Thank you for your message. Yes AV is a bit of a journey. I've been on mine for almost a year now. I agree, very hard to stay positive and keep going but I will try and do so. I had not thought about having the Vagifem dose increased. I'm on two tablets a week right now. Yes I may mention that to my doctor next time. Great to know you werent aware of the irritation after increasing the dose. I wonder if something similar would work for me. Yes its all about low oestrogen levels isn't it. I am 5 years post menopause and never expected any of this. It is something that nobody ever mentioned at any time in my life so its been really hard to deal with as you know. I'm off to Scotland in the car with hubby on Saturday, a trip of about 300 miles. I just hope I'm not feeling like I am wanting to wee all the time that day!! I hope to God it's one of my better days. Not heard of Livial before. Anyway thank you for your help. I'm not too bad today (So far) so I may go out a bit. :-)
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      Hi, again my Vagifem levels were increased slowly till the symptoms improved over time. One size doesn't fit all but sometimes any information can lead you nearer a solution. I had many different Hrt before Livial after my ovaries were removed this one has worked for me where others failed. Hopefully the journey to Scotland won't be too uncomfortable but I'm sure it will be worth it as it's a beautiful place. Enjoy!

    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, Thanks for telling me about your Vagifem increasing slowly till the symptoms improved over time. You are right, one size doesn't fit all. I only wish it did. Though as you say, sometimes any information can lead you nearer to a solution. Sorry to hear you had your ovaries removed. Glad the Livial worked for you though. I'm hoping I won't be too uncomfortable going to Scotland as well. I managed to go out today so that's something. If I am "As good" as I am today, I will be able to cope. I just don't want hubby to have to be stopping at services every 30 mins for me to go to the ladies! Yes Scotland is lovely. I've been many times over the years. I just hope the AV doesn't get too bad whilst we are there, Oh and I hope my new left hip behaves too! It's the first time I've been on holiday with it! Take care. :-)
    • shirley84100
      shirley84100

      Posted

      Really low today sad Had a great day yesterday. No A V symptoms at all!! It was fab. No soreness. No wanting to wee all the time.

      But today its back again!!! Just wanted to be on my own so I could cry my eyes out sad

      Instead I have had to keep going with getting ready for tomorrows holiday to Scotland and take brother to see mum etc.

      Not a good day. Please god I don't want to feel like this on holiday.

      Right hip/knee are bad too and giving me a lot of pain so taken my Naproxen which has helped.

      Sorry.

    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      Hi, sorry to hear it's been such a bad day. It does make it miserable when all you can think about is the discomfort. Have you been back to the Dr I went so often till they got the dose right? I now have the flexibility to up my dose according to how bad my symptoms are and rarely go now.

      Hopefully you will feel better for your trip :-)

    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, Thanks for your message. Yes a miserable day with it after such a great day yesterday. Not seen the doctor for about a month but I will make an appt when I come back from holiday and discuss upping my dose. Can't carry on like this. Before you upped your dose did you get good days sometimes? Then back to bad ones. So irritating. Anyway it would be good if I could up my dose like you and rarely have to go the docs with it. Will we ever get over this or is it a case of being on medication permanently do you think?
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      Hi yes I did get good and bad days I guess because your hormones fluctuate like they did beforehand. I was told by my Dr that some women like myself might continue to need a small dose due to my not having ovaries but maybe others can do without overtime.

      Take care

    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, Thought it was just me who had good days and bad days with the Vaginal Atrophy. I see what you mean about fluctuating hormone levels though. After all, I'm still only the Vagifem twice a week. Maybe if I took one every day for a while it would be different but I'm not changing anything till I've seen the doctor. Yes I can see what you mean about having to take a small dose with not having ovaries. But that's good if you get no soreness etc as a result isn't it. I will be so relieved if I can sometime either be free of the symptoms, with or without the medication. It's been virtually a year now since this started. Off on holiday this morning! My fingers are crossed for ad little discomfort as possible. Take care. :-)
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      Hi maybe you can try Vitamin E capsules that you take orally, meanwhile it may help keep the area nourished. Just pop open a capsule and mix with a tiny bit of olive oil as it is quite thick and sticky then massage into the outside area. I used to mix it up in a small bottle to save doing it daily. Hoping you have more good days.

      Have a lovely holiday :-)

    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 tracy12090

      Posted

      Thanks for that idea Tracy. It was Friday when I had the really bad day after Thursdays really good day. Yesterday we travelled 300 miles in the car. And whilst my VA was perfect, I've known it worse too. Today has been pretty good I'm pleased to say. Even drank loads of tea in the tea shop and felt no urge to wee. Some days I feel the urge all day long then when I go to the bathroom, hardly anything comes out! Anyway a good day today and no soreness either. Dare I hope for another good day tomorrow? Yes, I really really hope it is. First. Vagifem of the week tonight. Take care.
    • shirley84100
      shirley84100

      Posted

      * Wasn't perfect I meant to say!
    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 Sus28

      Posted

      Thanks Sus. Thursday was good. Friday was bad. Saturday wasn't too bad. Known it worse and known it better too. Today was another good day. So my fingers are well and truly crossed for another good day tomorrow. Hope you are doing well too. :-)
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 shirley84100

      Posted

      So glad your having a few more good days. Hopefully these will continue and you can start to feel normal again :-)
    • shirley84100
      shirley84100 Sus28

      Posted

      Thanks Sus. I feel OK right now so my fingers are crossed that today will be another good one :-)
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