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[maryanne]

Hope someone can help, I'm new here!
Although I'm extremely lucky (since reading other forum posts), I am 56, not had a period for a year and seemed to be going through menopause pretty well. No need for any help so far. However I'm suddenly experiencing vaginal dryness during intercourse and finding it impossible to have sex. Husband understanding but now not sure what best to do. I need urgent help. I went to the doctors and tearfully explained what was what. But it turns out I may have high blood pressure so have to get that sorted out first before any HRT can be prescribed. So ladies what is the best way forward for now please. Doctor suggested KY jelly and I've googled stuff on the internet and was wondering about Replens? What do other people suggest?

[CLKD]

KY jelly can help on the outer vaginal lips but have a word with the Practice Nurse and ask for Vagifem or Ortho-gynest pessaries.  Pharmacists have private rooms so perhaps a chat in a Chemist if you can't get an appt. with the Surgery.

Have a look at the various threads on vaginal atrophy.  I'll try to remember my own and bump it for you to read

 

[maryanne]

Thanks for your quick reply.
Isn't Vagifem a form of HRT - I don't think I can have that until my high blood pressure is sorted out.
Meanwhile maybe I'll ask at the chemist, see if they have a private room for a chat.

[dahliagirl]

Any 'gentle' lubricant - not novelty ones

Yes (water or oil based), Sylk (kiwi based).  The replens is probably ok too but not tried that.  I tried a durex 'moisturiser' which did the job ok, but I had other problems.

I found the D moisturiser seemed to be giving me 'infections' or 'allergy' like symptoms, but it all stopped with the vagifem.   As far as I can work out, it is not contraindicated for hypertension, and just requires supervision

[ancient runner]

Poor you!
Sylk is good, as is YES, which comes in two types -- oil based and, er, not oil based. YES has a good website where people talk about how they've used it, and you can buy a pack which gives you varying sizes of both types to try which is really handy.
Replens is slightly different in that you effectively insert the goo with an applicator and it slowly trickles down over the next couple of days.
I found KY stung badly and irritated already sore skin.
I have a feeling that any of the local HRT prescribed for VA wouldn't affect your blood pressure as if any gets into your system it is such a tiny amount. Orthogynest cream has the lowest oestrogen dose of the lot, so it might be worth starting there if your practice nurse/dr will let you do so while the BP issue is being investigated.
Good luck!

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!

[Hurdity]

Hi maryanne

  from me too!

Sadly your doctor is not well-informed by only suggesting a lubricant to help with sex.

Vagoinal atrophy is a condition of post-menopause that will only get worse if untreated with local oestrogen.

As has already been said there is very little systemic absorption of oestrogen from Vagifem and estriol creams are even weaker. They are all listed here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/local.php

High blood pressure (hypertension) is not contra-indicated for any of these products although if you do have this then it needs supervision, and if it gets significantly worse while using the treatment this should be stopped immediately. I am not a medical doctor yet this information is freely available to non-specialists on the internet.

Here is the product information for Vagifem for example:
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/23819

Here's what it says about hypertension:

Conditions which need supervision

If any of the following conditions are present, have occurred previously, and/or have been aggravated during pregnancy or previous hormone treatment, the patient should be closely supervised. It should be taken into account that these conditions may recur or be aggravated during oestrogen treatment, in particular:
• Hypertension

Then later it says:

Reasons for immediate withdrawal of therapy

Therapy should be discontinued in case a contra-indication is discovered and in the following situations:

• Jaundice or deterioration in liver function

• Significant increase in blood pressure


Please go back to your doctor and ask for Vagifem and also some oestriol cream (such as Gynest) to rub on the outer areas of the vulva - and you should experience some relief within a very short time.

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Limpy]

Hi maryanne - Welcome from me too.

Lubricants help a bit to make intercourse less painful but external oestrogen really helps in the longer term with discomfort with intercourse. Gynest only has a tiny amount of hormone is but it really does help soothe the discomfort. The other thing it helps with is UTI type discomfort and stinging.

[CLKD]

Is your BP being monitored regularly?  It may be that your BP was 'high' because of white coat syndrome!