Hi, I'm a new member and just wanted to say how helpful I have found this thread.
I had my last period at 44, went on HRT at 45, now I'm 48. The HRT had a good effect on my dreadful hot flushes, and I feel much better generally. However, HRT has had no effect at all on vaginal dryness/atrophy.
My problem is that I am due to have a smear test. I attended an appointment a few months ago, it was absolute torture, and the nurse was unable to complete the test. She did say something about seeing the doctor and getting some hormone treatment, but all I could think of was "not more hormones - I'm on HRT already!". My body kept going into spasms for the rest of the day. Prior to menopause, I had regular smear tests, and it was never a problem and never painful.
I've now had another letter from the doctor about having this test, and to add insult to injury the letter says that it is best to have the test "between Day 13 and Day 18 of your cycle". It's nearly 10 years since I could identify a mid-cycle! Anyway, I have been completely stressed out about this, and it's been a great help to read the messages on this thread, I will calm down now, and at least I will be able to talk to the doctor from a position of knowledge!
There's a lot said about post-menopausal women finding sex painful, and their vaginas becoming smaller, yet no-one seems to mention how these women are supposed to have smear tests!