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Just diagnosed and trying to deal with burning, itching and pain

Posted , 11 users are following.

linda44059
linda44059

Hi all just joined this group.  I am 70 years old and live in US.  I have been having vaginal burning and itching for the last two months.  First I was diagnosed with a UTI e coli and put on antibiotic.  Antibiotic caused a yeast infection and had to get medicine for that.  My urogist thought I might have lichen schlerosis so they did a biopsy on my labia.  Then they did a vaginal swab and had bacterial vaginitis and was put on flagyl.  Have been retested and no infections currently.  The biopsy is negative for lichen schlerosis which is good.  But I am suffering.  I have been diagnosed with vaginal atrophy and am so sore in my vagina and burning and itching.  I have just been started on Estrace.  I took it a couple of weeks ago for 5 days but had to stop as I was given Flagyl cream for the bacterial infection.  I am back on the estrace for 3 days now.  I find when I put the estrace in it burns and itches.  I don't know if this is normal in the beginning.  Is it supposed to burn in the beginning until you get used t it?  I am to use 0.01 gram per night for one to two weeks till I feel relieve.  Then twice a week.  How long does it take.  I asked if I can use vaginal moisturisers as well.  my Gyno told me after the two week period can be used on nights when I did not use the estrace.  Is there anything to use at same time as estrace to put in the vagina to just soothe the pain.  Help.  This is so depressing.  I have never heard of vaginal atrophy before.  Please give me input on things you have done that have helped.   

1 like, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • peg30370
    peg30370 linda44059

    Posted

    Please be patient. Took quite awhile for the atrophy to set in, and it will take awhile to start feeling some relief. The Estrace burn is a little uncomfortable due to the irritation on your skin, but it shouldn't be overly painful. If it doesn't ease up soon call your Dr and see if you can get a Rx for a compounded version of the cream. I heard this works for some of us who are sensitive. I also used coconut oil during the daytime, and the Estrace overnight. Took about 6 months till the cream made me feel normal again, and that was only when I started using Estrace 3x a week, instead of 2. I've since had the Mona Lisa, and like everyone says, it was life changing!!

    • linda44059
      linda44059 peg30370

      Posted

      Hi and thanks for answering me.  Did the Estrace burn you in the beginning.  I find I am worse when I wear close and sit for long periods of time.    I know some of the creams in Britain and Canada are not available here in the United States.  I just got Yes vaginal moisturizer to use on the days I am not on the estrace. 
  • linda44059
    linda44059

    Posted

    Hi L inda here.  I think I am replying to myself as I am not used to this system.  Hope you all get this.  Thanks you for your support and replies.  I have been on the Estrace for 6 nights.  Am supposed to be on for two weeks at 0,01 gram a night.  Then every other night.  Was not told to go on vagefem.  Was just given the estrace.  Switched from male older gyno to a female who is into female menopause and does the Mona Lisa treatment at $2500.  My gyno wants me to try this and see how it works.  I was feeling better the last few days with little burning and itching.  Now today it is bad again.  The itching and burning.  Mine is in the vagina not on the outside so much. It is also sore.  Someone mentioned coconut oil.  Is that to go inside of you?  Can you put it inside while the estrace is being put in there?  My gyno said when I get on the twice a week on alternate nights I can use Emerita which is like replens.  Does Emerita and replens work?  How do you know the problem is not UTI or Yeast infection and just the vaginal atrophy.  I have been on a whirlwind.  I am 70 and thinking maybe I am too old for hormone therapy.  Appreciate all of your thoughts.  Please let me know if you get this. I am so depressed.  Also how do I know if the burning and itching is a reaction to the estrace and I am sensitive to it or is it the vaginal atrophy?  HELP 

    • marion68182
      marion68182 linda44059

      Posted

      Hi Linda. I wish I could give you some comfort but I am in the same boat as you.  My doctor said I should be on oestrogen and I'm 75 so you're not too old to use it either.  I was tested for urine infection and you should have been too.  Why did your doctor say you can't use Vagifem as it doesn't burn me as much as the cream but I do still feel burning the next day, well every day at the moment.  I also am not sure whether the burning is the atrophy or the oestrogen but I've read so much on here and everyone says it's the right thing to use. 

      Its horrible I know and it's making me depressed as I can't walk without pain and I like to exercise by walking every day.  So I'm not doing that at the moment.  We have to be brave and keep going and I hope my last few years aren't going to be spoiled with this thing. 

      But it could be worse so I try to keep that in mind. Good luck Linda. 

       

    • nancyo
      nancyo marion68182

      Posted

      I know your pain. It is hard to distinguish one pain from another. I spent many months on the couch Many times I had Uti's. Many times I did not. This site is the best for info. I have so many things I tried over the counter and even used ice in a vague in my underpants. One night I grabbed frozen blueberries and put the pack u know where. Fell asleep. What a mess.

      Hang in. It's not easy. I am 72

    • nancyo
      nancyo

      Posted

      Meant in a plastic bag. You have to laugh
    • marion68182
      marion68182 nancyo

      Posted

      Are you ok now nancyo?  You made me laugh anyway . 
    • nancyo
      nancyo marion68182

      Posted

      Glad I got you to laugh though this condition is a tough one.  I am okay but went thru so much and feel for you too.  
    • jude84900
      jude84900 linda44059

      Posted

      I see so many of you ladies are in total discomfort from vaginal atrophy. I am 57. I have been on bio identical hormones for two years now since menapause. I am on Estriol, Estrodial, Progesteone and Testosterone. I have no issue with vaginal tissues. I am just throwing this out to you. Have you thought of even just doing testosterone replacement? This might be an answer to repair and rebuild those tissues. Maybe along with estriol cream. Women need testosterone too and it might be a better option for some than going in all the way with replacing all of their hormones. Just a suggestion. There are women that have had great success after menapause  with just testosterone treatment. It is way more affordable than the mona lisa that so many women just cannot afford. Although some find some relief from vitamin E oil and coconut oil it is not what is depleted in our bodies that is causing the grief. It is the depletion of our hormones that have kept things healthy our whole life. Just my suggestion. Good Luck. 
    • jude84900
      jude84900

      Posted

      I want to add one more thing. This is a lifetime maintenance. This isn't until things feel better and then you quit. Your body will not all of a sudden start producing these hormones to keep vaginal tissue healthy again. If I was to quit my hormone replacement my menapause symptoms would be back. Again, bio identical is key if replacing your hormones.

    • KKay
      KKay jude84900

      Posted

      I agree with both your posts Jude and thank you for making those points. Could you share please in what form you are taking them? Are you getting estradiol through a gel or patch or pill? And the estriol ? Etc. This would be very helpful for those of us to know what to ask for and research.

      Also, its great you have no vaginal issues ! Did you have any and your HRT resolved them or were you one of the lucky ones who escaped this ghastly condition?

      Thank you for sharing,

    • jude84900
      jude84900 KKay

      Posted

      Hi Kay,

      I get my estrodial/estriol and testosterone through a compounded cream that I rub on vaginally daily. The progesterone is OTC that I rub on twice a day. I take Sundays off all creams just to give things a break. I also have a compounded estriol cream that is used with a applicator vaginally just for maintenance of these tissues. Typically 2 or 3 times a month is all I use this cream now. I was getting some signs of vaginal issues as soon as my periods ended. My lubrication disappeared and I was getting some tenderness during intimacy and knew what was happening. I have read quite extensiviely on what happens to womens bodies as menapause approaches and after. My woman GP who was younger did not want to do any type of hormone treatment which I already was prepared to hear. I now go to a holisitc dr. that practiced regular medicine as a MD for 22 years before going the holistic approach. He has been great. Running of blood test is key with getting you on just what your body needs. You start off slow and through blood work increase as needed. Then its just maintaining. My problems with my lubrication and tenderness were resolved quickly. I would say within a month. Now I was at the early stages so some of you women that have been dealing with this stuff for  awhile it may take longer to heal those sensitive tissues and get them healthy again. I feel getting my bio identicals has saved me a lot of greif. I was already experiencing the other fun things like hair loss, thinning skin, brittle nails, feeling down in the dumps. Like I said, I've been on them two years. Feel I got my life back again. I see on these boards a lot where women say, I just want "me" back, I want my life back. Why do we feel this way? Our hormones are bottomed out. 

    • jude84900
      jude84900

      Posted

      Kay, just an added note. These compounded creams ( estriol, estrodial and testosterone) come mixed as one cream. So your not having to rub on each individual cream. Its a very simple daily routine.
    • KKay
      KKay jude84900

      Posted

      Thank you Jude, that is really helpful
    • arlee
      arlee marion68182

      Posted

      I started using vagifem 6 years ago  wasn't quite as consistent as I should have been. Had months where I felt good and others poorly. This past June I've had awful burning and discomfort. I've see. The uro gyno 2x. Going back again soon. I'm using vagifem 3x week. Not really helping. I don't know from one day to the next how I'm going to feel. I'm sensitive to all the other creams dr perscribed. Especially those with alcohol in them. (Polyglycolene) not spelling it right!  I noticed that the vagifem tablet's coating has this on it. 

      Right now I'm feeling that theres nothing out there that can help me 

    • Guest
      Guest jude84900

      Posted

      I just came across your very detailed history of how you beat this very painful affliction.  You were vet smart to stay ahead of the problem.  Did you find it difficult to find a Dr to write a script for the compounding HRT?  It sounds like you were in good hands.  Did you ever need to switch creams due to your body rejecting them?  This is my problem.  Even compounding materials are abrasive.  It's all so discouraging

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