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Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 76 out now. (Summer issue, June 2024)

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Author Topic: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please  (Read 12653 times)

Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #45 on: May 06, 2018, 07:37:34 AM »

Thanks Dancinggirl
The GP prescribed the steroid cream in case I had Lichen sclerosis. He's not sure and has referred me to a skin specialist. I am going to book a session with a private menopause specialist next week as I feel I am just trying everything with no real plan if that makes sense. I'll try the frozen peas! Thanks

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Jenna

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #46 on: May 06, 2018, 07:38:19 AM »

Hi Rubyjo - I didn't have itching, but I had terrible soreness and burning, which I now know was from VA. (VA can make the skin look very pale.) At first I was prescribed a steroid cream, as the GP thought it was thrush (it wasn't). This only made things worse. I now use Estriol Cream internally and externally twice a week (after the initial loading of every day for a fortnight) and 'Yes' water-based on the other days. Maybe you could try this?

Here is some info about Lichen Sclerosus from 'Yes', although only a biopsy would diagnose LS as the others have said.



I hope you can get some relief from this irritation!
« Last Edit: February 01, 2019, 12:37:07 PM by Emma »
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Robin

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #47 on: May 06, 2018, 07:49:15 AM »

I was given steroid cream without a diagnosis which wasn't appropriate and for me it just made things worse. I also reacted badly to the estrogen creams etc (I persevered for months) so now use estring which releases estrogen slowly directly where needed. I have no irritation from it and even the external irritation and soreness has cleared up. After years of soreness split skin bleeding etc it cleared up very quickly. Its worth considering if you don't get a response from the vagifem after a decent trial period ( I believe some ladies find vagifem irritating initially but once the estrogen starts to work it all calms down).

Robin
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Daisydot

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #48 on: May 06, 2018, 08:20:27 AM »

Me again Rubyjo lol.pop to boots today and get vagisil medicated creme it has 2% lidocaine and hopefully should help it numbs the area. I'd stop the steroid as it'll only thin the skin in an already sparse area so you get more splitting.lets know how it goes I've just dug mines out I'd forgotten I had it lol.xx
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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #49 on: May 06, 2018, 09:02:29 AM »

Thanks everyone.
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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #50 on: May 06, 2018, 09:05:17 AM »

Hi Dancinggirl

Thank you so much for your help. I have tried vagisil cream but it really burns! The frozen peas have calmed things down and am now back on the coconut oil. At this very moment it's manageable!
Rubyjo x
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #51 on: May 06, 2018, 12:42:06 PM »

Vagisilhas ingredients that could irritate.  You can get lidocaine ointment that is simpler adn has fewer other ingredients.  However, if the peas and coconut oil helps then thats great and with continued Vagifem use, you may find things improve.  The oestrogen creams have fillers that made me burn like hell!!! DG x
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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #52 on: May 06, 2018, 02:28:20 PM »

Thanks Dancinggirl, much appectiated.

Rubyjo x
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CLKD

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #53 on: May 06, 2018, 03:20:41 PM »

Steroid creams should never be used down there unless there is a definitive diagnosis.  I had steroid cream during radiation treatment and was allowed to use a dab the size of a penny piece, twice a day on the breast which was affected. 

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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #54 on: May 14, 2018, 08:42:19 AM »

Hi
I just thought I would share something that is giving me some relief from the itching, in the hope it may help others.
After seeing a specialist last week and explaining that I was struggling to function as I was only getting 1-2 hours sleep and very little relief from the itching. She prescribed Instillagel which is a local anaesthetic gel. This has been amazing as it numbs the area and gives relief for around 5 hours and can be repeated a few times a day if needed.
I have slept well and feel that it is allowing the steroid ointment chance to work as I am not scratching at all.

Whilst I got this on prescription, I believe you can get it over the counter and it definitely gives temporary relief.

Rubyjo
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Robin

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #55 on: May 14, 2018, 09:25:19 AM »

Is that external use only Rubyjo or can it be used internally as well?

Robin
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Ljp

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #56 on: May 14, 2018, 03:47:24 PM »

VA ...nightmare, mine started suddenly a year ago, I'm on HRT, (Mirena, and oestrogel) also have estring internally, and use estriole/ovestin to external skin.
Emu oil is far better than coconut oil in my opinion, much richer and helps to improve skin quality.
I also had a course of Mona Lisa laser treatment which helped restore moisture and colour and skin quality is far bette, but even with all that, flare ups still happen occasionally, then it's what to do?
Suffering at the moment, mine is externa skin too rubyjo, and includes the skin around my bottom.
Lidocaine does offer some relief, but other than that I just apply the emu oil moreand hope it will settle down....I find the ovestin/estriole cream can help externally, but it can make the soreness worse for me, and cause rashubess around my bottom, struggling to come to terms with this is for life!....what to do past 60when HRT in no longer recommended 😢😢
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CLKD

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #57 on: May 14, 2018, 07:03:53 PM »

Savlon ?  Little and often.  Do not allow the areas to dry out. 
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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #58 on: May 23, 2018, 10:44:26 AM »

Hi Robin

I'm sorry for the delayed response. You can you it internally & externally.

Kind regards

Rubyjo
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Rubyjo

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Re: Vaginal Atrophy - Help please
« Reply #59 on: May 23, 2018, 10:47:37 AM »

Hi Dancinggirl

I just thought I'd give you an update on how I am doing as you have been so helpful.
I have been using Dermovate for twelve days now and used the Instilagel for 6 days. I have not had an itch for 5 days now...fingers crossed it continues.

I am back to see my specialist at the end of the month.

Thanks for all your help.

Rubyjo x
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