SHRINKING

Yes Melinda, many women have this problem.  They say that 50% of all women have vaginal atrophy (shrinking) and dryness.  I seriously think the percentage is much much higher, but most women post meno don't go in for regular vag exams, don't care about their sex life, and don't talk about it.  

I always LOVED sex.  I'll never forget the first time I had painful sex, what a shocker!!!   A very unpleasant shocker!  And this didn't happen immediately at menopause, it took a few years before it happened.  And yes, it's a major problem.  This is because even when we are in meno (1 year without periods) our ovaries are still producing some estrogen, at least for a few years.  But as time goes by, we continue to produce less and less.  

Honestly I didn't have any real meno symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats at menopause.  I thought I skated through.  And the things that were a problem I didn't associate with menopause, like chronic muscle pain. I was tested for everything under the sun, but not one doctor thought to ask about menopause.  It wasn't until the atrophy and dryness set in that I was given vaginal Estrace and all the muscle pain went away.  

This whole thing totally stinks.  I hate it too.  

Melinda, my story is not all happy!  So I'll tell ALL.  But I also want you to know that many MANY women use vaginal Estrace with great results and no problems.  

I had vaginal dryness and some painful sex for over a year.  I was given vaginal Estrace in 2013, but used it very rarely because I didn't really like how I felt using it.  A year later, upon exam,  the problem was even worse.  So I came home dedicated to using it regularly.  I couldn't stand the full amount prescribed (1gr.)  so I used about half that amount every other day. It took about two weeks and I started noticing some wonderful things.  My hair started growing again, my nails got thick and strong like they used to be, I was sleeping like a champ again, and I felt great.  My sense of humor came back, and all the muscle pain went away.  Then unfortunately .........my scalp started itching and my hair started falling out badly.  I saw a dermatologist who said it was the Estrace and told me to stop using it.  My hair didn't stop falling out till I used some progesterone.  So I have gone to an endocrinologist who put me on systemic estrogen and progesterone.  

Again, this is my story.  But I know plenty of women who use it will great results and NO problems.  Don't give up because if you let this go, it will get worse.  I've heard of women who even had difficulty walking because of the pain with vaginal atrophy and dryness.  No one should live like that.     

I've been diagnosed with Lichen sclerosis but after visiting here I'm feeling unsure. My dr never did a biopsy. I'm 47 and had a Hysterectomy a few years ago.