Hi, everyone. My name is Ali, I am 47 and live in Pembrokeshire with my hubby (who is a dairy farmer). He has 2 grown up children from his first marriage - and we have 3 grandchildren, with the 4th due in August. I never had children sadly (long and complicated reasons!).
My periods went from being extremely regular - 24 day cycle - to gradually getting longer and longer between them, and then perhaps a couple of periods that were 'normal', and since last year I have hardly had any period at all (any has been very light and only a couple of days). I found out from Google that this meant I was in Perimenopause.
I have Fibromyalgia, Hyper Mobility Syndrome and Psoriasis, and one of my chronic symptoms is itchy skin. However, when my vaginal area started to itch regularly a few months ago (plus soreness/cracks/painful sex), I did go and see a nurse practitioner. She sent me for tests, no infection or other problem was found, so yesterday my doctor suggested that I try out oestrogen cream.
When I read the very comprehensive leaflet with it (is it just me that actually reads those?!), I was surprised to see that it is considered to be HRT. My doctor did not mention that. I was a bit worried about using it, but I realise that I need to do something - and it seems that this cream is a mild, but effective, way of hopefully reducing the vaginal issues.
Being a woman is certainly never boring.
Ali x