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vaginal atrophy

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beverly52803
beverly52803

 I am a 66 yr old American not suffering from any of these problems currently as I am not attempting to have sexual relations and have not since menopause. My new gynecologist has very strongly recommended that I use a hormonal cream because of vaginal atrophy despite my not suffering in any way other than during a pelvic exam. She is afraid I may develop problems as only 20% of women seem to develop atrophy and apparently problems can follow.

I would like to offer details re my experience at the time of menopause (age around 50) when I suffered with extreme vaginitis. I took many antibiotics and tried various creams prescribed by my then gynecologist. I had requested Flagyl (metronidazole) as it had worked for me in the past, but the doctor insisted there were no indications that it would be appropriate. I suffered terribly for 5 years before discussing it with my GP who prescribed the Flagyl and I was cured. I mention this in case there is any chance that any of you suffering with vagintis coud be helped by Flagyl (even if your doctors say you won't).

I now have to decide if having a diminishing vagina is actually a danger to my well being (as strongly suggested by my current doctor) and  requires using a vaginal hormonal cream.

Has anyone had  atrophy that did not lead to further problems?

3 likes, 43 replies

43 Replies

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  • sheilasresearch
    sheilasresearch beverly52803

    Posted

    Hi Beverly

    i love your attitude too. 

    Very refreshing. 

    Getting older who knows anyway as Men get their problems too. 

    X

  • Netmouse
    Netmouse beverly52803

    Posted

    Hi, Beverly.  I am much like you.  American, menopause at 50, I'm now 67.  For a number of years my GYN doctor noted the very red thin skin, dryness and pain in exams.  She never recommended doing anything, not even vaginal cream.  Now I wish she had as it would have been a good preventative.  I am actually now very angry that she did not do anything, and she had so few words in explanations and none on options. So now I have problems that might have been avoided.  I now have broken thin skin that cracks a bit, think of chapped hands.  I sit down to urinate and "spread my cheeks", and I feel my skin spit.  Then urination really stings.  I also have light pain "jabs" or discomfort in structures in the external areas that are affected by low hormones, including bladder.  I read now on the internet this is all too common.  I began the cream about 2 months ago, return to doctor in a month.  But I will seek a different doctor for both to get a second opinion and also because of nearly no info and explanation from this doctor - I find much more and better info on the internet doing Google searches.  So bottom line, get your doctor to talk better with you to explain things and DO START using cream to keep your tissues as healthy as possible before you start having problems like I have.  You apply it nightly for 2 weeks, then once or twice a week, the dose depends on your situation.  Until my problems hit, I was fine with being like a girl again, very carefree and easy maintenance!  But your body will change and you will have problems if you do not take some medicine for what hormones now missing.  Maybe consider if you are likely to have problems, as women are more likely to have atrophy problems if they never had a baby vaginally.  I'm not sure why that makes a difference, maybe the blood suppy with more vessels.  Also sex (and I'm pretty sure they mean orgasm) is good for you as you will exercise your muscle tissues through your pelvic floor, get more blood to the tissues, get some lubrication flowing, and keep muscle strength going.  I can't tolerate pelvics without a child's instrument, and am glad that at age 65 doctors no longer need to do this if past PAP results were OK.  
    • beverly52803
      beverly52803 Netmouse

      Posted

      Thanks for your post, netmouse. A previous gyn prescribed hormone cream which did not solve the problem I was having which was bacterial and Flagyl finally solved that thanks to my GP. The hormones made it worse if anything. So after 5 years of a raging infection I have been feeling fairly comfortable for about 10 years except for exams which became increasingly uncomfortable. My current gyn has been the first to suggest taking the hormones to avoid future problems, but she did not elaborate. After finding this site I have been giving serious consideration to using hormone cream, but as my sister has stage 4 estrogen dependent cancer I've been hoping for an alternative. Have been giving the Vit E a try and that feels petty good. Plan on making an appt with the gyn again to have a more fact filled discussion re choices and consequences. Will bring info gotten from this site with me.
    • Netmouse
      Netmouse beverly52803

      Posted

      Good luck Beverly.  Maybe discuss with your gyn other forms like the ring or vag pill, I understand cream can have more estrogen absorbed into the blood.  Someone posted using Vagifem which is the pill form and said it took a year to really work.  Perhaps that is a choice if you start now you can prevent problems down the road.  I totally understand the concern for cancer.  Some Google searches give ideas for that.  Here is the Mayo Clinic that may be helpful:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/basics/causes/con-20025768

      I'm going myself to see a new gyn and see what a second opinion reveals.  Is vit. E an oil, how do you apply it.  In the USA, what brand and where do you buy it?

  • beverly52803
    beverly52803

    Posted

    Netmouse, there have been a lot of posts re the use of vit E oil. I'm never clear on how posting works. It seems some conversations may veer off.Possibly you can find them by going back somehow? I purchased vit E capsules at the drugstore based on someone's post that a doctor suggested it to her. You just insert them vaginally or pake them open to use externally. There is also a spray that I saw next to the capsules which might be good if you want it for external use only. I found I had to insert the capsule with the help of some organic coconut oil. That is another soothing lubricant people have been discussing. It's a lot thinner than the E. I don't have the severe problems that some have, only occassional mild itching. I use a gentle soap like Cetaphil which does not cause irritation like regular soap.

    My biggest concern is how inevitable it is that I will have "problems down the road". I don't have any now other than painful exams and due to my age those are coming to an end. If I were to meet a man that I had an interest in (which is highly unlikely) I assumed I would have to resort to the estrogen cream. Having read the possible side effects I felt as though it would be like going back in time re premenstrual symptoms; I can certainly do without those! However, I do wonder about the temporary, external results of using a lubricant vs internal results brought on by your body's reaction to having estrogen in the blood stream. Hope to discuss this with the gyn which is more apt to work as a preventative and which carries the most risk.

    When first menopausal I had a gyn who was a strong proponent of my using hormones because of their supposed health benefits, but I decided against it. Shortly thereafter it was announced they were causing the problems they were supposed to be solving. I don't have blind faith in medical advice. In the meantime I keep reading what others are posting. This site is very helpful.

    • Netmouse
      Netmouse beverly52803

      Posted

      We have so much in common.  I too began HRT at age 50 when menopause began, no problems at all with a very easy menopause, but took HRT to prevent disease.  Then medical opinion changed completely and I stopped cold  this caused no problems at all. My emotions on Premarin became a bit depressed with some spotting.  A new gyn changed me to estratest, a touch of testostrone, and my mood changed much for the better and I was fine for a couple of years.  Then I quit as stated and felt my best, as said like being carefree like a girl again.  Now at age 67 - solo wthout a partner - I began the problems with dryness, much like chapped hands and little small but obvious stabbing pains in external areas and had around the vag opening at times skin split and stinging area.  I just wish I had begun the cream earlier when dry was obvious, it must have at some point become clear I'd become one of the woman with problems like this, and I might have prevented getting ths far along.  Look forward to your report back when you visit your gyn next.
  • beverly52803
    beverly52803

    Posted

    I am clicking on "reply to netmouse" but the only dialogue box that appears is to reply to... myself?

    Anyway... netmouse, we are obviously the same age with similar issues, but I guess I'm more non-compliant when it comes to following medical advice. Just didn't make sense to me to take HRT if I wasn't experiencing problems. No mood swings, minor hot flashes. Only problem has been sleep issues. When I found out the Dr. who wanted me to use HRT died of aggressive breast cancer couldn't help but wonder if it was possibly due to her own use of hormones. My sister had a hysterectomy and was put on HRT for years till the cancer appeared. No other females in my family went on HRT after hysterectomies & none have had cancer. I have not had one and have not had children.

    When I get to the doctor I will post the results, assuming she doesn't get tired of my questions. I once saw a gastroenterologist who told me if I was going to be his patient there was to be "no internet or reading". Hard to believe in this day & age. Closed his practice shortly thereafter, which I was happy to hear!

    • Netmouse
      Netmouse beverly52803

      Posted

      I hear you, Beverly.  My initial choice for HRT stopped 15 years ago.  Since then I've taken nothing.  I was not advised to do anything for the thin dry vag skin, and now that I do have painful problems I began taking this cream per my gyn prescription.  I do wonder if now using an estrogen product if I am more vulnerable to cancer or other problems that literature now says is a risk.  I hear it is an extremely low dose, but is still estrogen.  My gyn downplays the label warnings, but from what I read the cream form is more susceptible to being absorbed into the blood system than the vag pill or ring.  Let us know what your doctor advises you.
  • tracy12090
    tracy12090 beverly52803

    Posted

    New to the forum and feel like all you ladies that there is sparse information out there and Dr's don't seem to be very proactive. Meaning were left to find this information.

    My AV was initially treated successfuly by Vagifem when it was just irritation in the past. But after my oophorectomy my problems increased and besides the excruciating splits in the labial folds, the outside lips have diminished and I miss them! Silly as that sounds with all the designer vagina craze lately they are there for a good reason! It took me awhile to convince the Dr of the urgency but I am glad I persisted or my situation could be worse.

    I am now on Livial ( boosts sex drive also) and Vagifem daily. Although it hasn't cured the AV it has halted the decline of the tissues and made life more comfortable again. I recommend vitamin E also but I used Carlsons Key E suppositories as they did increase the skin quality downstairs only using half a capsule. Although I don't need them now with HRT.

    Hopefully Dr's. will become aware of the complications if this condition if left.

    • Netmouse
      Netmouse tracy12090

      Posted

      Livial is not approved for use in North America where I am, from what I read.  I did not know what it was so I did a Google seach on it.  There are some posts where people might have problems because of it.  Are you sure you need that?  Maybe the increased (daliy) vagifem is all you might need?  I agree doctor's are not at all forthcoming on education for the patient, say as little as they can, so I wonder how much they really do know.  I am very glad for the internet as we can do our own research.
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090 Netmouse

      Posted

      Hi, Netmouse thanks for your concern. I am based in the UK where Livial is available. I did research the benefits and concerns, like any Hrt there are risks. The Vagifem alone was sufficient before my ovaries were removed. After my AV become very severe and unbearable. I different strengths of Hrt before I found Livial this one has worked for me where others failed and increased my libido too. My life is almost back to normal how I remembered from over a year ago. Hopefully as time passes things will settle and I won't need such high doses to maintain my levels but without any natural oestrogen of my own.
    • tracy12090
      tracy12090

      Posted

      Sorry should be tried different strengths of Hrt. BTW I am 50 so I want to maintain my levels as long as I safely can before reducing.
  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator beverly52803

    Posted

    I have removed the posts reference a specific product as this is advertising. If users want to exchange these details please use the Private Message service.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • Netmouse
      Netmouse Emis_Moderator

      Posted

      Sorry, I am certainly not advertising.  Any products I mentioned might be very helpful to others, and they can help me as well by mentioning products they have used.  And more than just one person via some private message.  It looks like I need to find a forum to post in that is more flexible and can see I am not a manufacturer plugging a product..  
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