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[akazukinchan]

I’m new here and desperately reaching out in the hope that someone might be able to offer me any sort of advice at all …

I’m 48 and in perimenopause and I’ve been on HRT for the past year (Femoston 2/10 and Testogel) which for a while was like a lifeline, all the symptoms cleared and I had my libido back again. After about 10-11 months I started to get mood swings again and my libido disappeared. Did a blood test and my GP advised that my testosterone was high and to spread the gel packet over 10 days instead of 8.

In the last couple of months it’s become impossible to orgasm when I’m with my partner, to the extent that I’d have to finish myself off with direct clitoral stimulation from a vibrator. Now even this isn’t working, I feel desensitised and almost numb and my clit has shrunk to the point of barely being able to see it.

I tried rubbing a bit of the Testogel on externally but it stung so much I had to wash it off. I’m at my wits end, I’m 48 and not ready to write off my sex life yet, it’s making me feel so dehumanised and disconnected from my partner (and myself). Does anyone have any advice for me please? 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Banjo1973]

Hi,

So sorry you're experiencing this.

If your testosterone levels are good, I'm wondering if you need more oestrogen.

My vagina and clitoris certainly felt plumper when I started taking hrt (just oestrogen and progesterone). Hrt also made orgasms much more easy to come by. There is also topical oestrogen you can take for vaginal atrophy (I've never used this)

I take oestrogen gel which is easy to adjust if I think I need more.

Good luck with this and massive respect to you for still having a banging sex life. I'm 50 and even though I'm on testosterone, still CBA with sex.

Keep us posted x

[CLKD]

   do read the 'bladder issues' and vaginal atrophy threads.  As suggested U may require VA treatment: 'vagifem' or 'ovestin' : to apply into the vagina as well as smearing a little of the latter around the vulva.  There are other moisturisers too.

Your GP can prescribe the above without the need for blood tests or examinations.  Let us know how you get on.

[akazukinchan]

Thank you both so much for replying 🙏🏻have been feeling so alone in all of this so am so grateful to have found this forum!

I’ve got some Ovestin cream which was prescribed for internal use but I found that after a few days I had horrible PMs type symptoms, so I stopped, however I’ve read online that some people recommend it for external use?  Weirdly I’m not having any issues marginally, I’m not sore and I still get wet/don’t need lube yet, the issue is the clitoris and how it’s suddenly gone into hiding! 😢

[Joaniepat]

I suggest asking for a prescription for Ovestin cream (0.1% estriol) and applying a small amount around the clitoris and vulva. It will plump the area up and hopefully you'll get a return of sensation. Be prepared for it to take a while, though. You could join the private Vaginal Atrophy Support Group on fb, where you will find others with this problem.
JP x

[Banjo1973]

I'm no expert, but found that testosterone really helped with lubrication, but made no difference to my external lady parts.

Before HRT (just oestrogen and prog) do remember my clitoris kind of receding... but more importantly I remember finding it increasingly difficult to orgasm. I also had occasional cracks or sores on my labia. Since taking HRT over 2 years ago those problems all resolved. That's why I believe it might be oestrogen related x

[CLKD]

How do you describe the PMS symptoms akazukinchan?  The amount of active ingredient is very small and once the initial loading period: 2-3 weeks: is over, the walls of the vagina are plumped up which will descrease any possible migration of the product.

Do try a moisturiser: yes or sylc products are well spoken of on the Forum:  on the outer labia and clitoris, a very small amount to stop any further dryness.  I wasn't particularly dry but developed atrophy 

It's a bit Trial and Error!

[Jules]

Try using ovestin externally. It's made a difference to me but I've used it every night and it's taken 6 months so far so you've to be patient but if you don't treat it, it will continue

[akazukinchan]

I do have some Ovestin cream which was prescribed internally but after using it for a few nights I started feeling really irritable and emotional so I thought it was connected and Is topped using it.  I'll definitely give it another go, and I'll use a bit externally too - happy to try anything!

@CLKD I'd say it was like really bad irritability, anger for no reason, over emotional and tearful, couldn't stop eating!

I'm following Dr Newson on Instagram and watching one of her talks she recommended a pessary called Intrarosa which sends both oestrogen and testosterone straight to the area.  Really interested in finding out more about it

[Jules]

I'm new to all this but if it's your vulva, you need to use some estrogen externally. I've had no issues with it and it's certainly plumped things albeit gradually. It's a horrible thing. It really troubled me, feeling my appearancewas changing. I was over 60 though before it happened so lucky i suppose. Try some and see if it helps. 

[akazukinchan]

I’ve now started using the Ovestin again (internally before bedtime) and a little bit externally on the clitoris/vulva. Too early to comment so far but I do feel it gives me a little libido boost which before was non existent and when I was having sex I was so hung up on the fact that my bits weren’t functioning the way they should do that I was too preoccupied to enjoy myself at all.

I have been doing as much reading as I can online and stumbled across a website for a clitoral suction toy called Namii by a company called Biird which had rave reviews so I ordered one and had a go on it, it stimulates the roots of the clit rather than just the tip and although it did take me a while to get there and it certainly wasn’t earth shattering, it was a definite improvement on recent weeks/months so I’ll persevere with it!

[Sunny14]

Hello! Thank you so much for your initial post. Everything that you mentioned I am experiencing too. Have you had any luck with using the Ovestin cream? I’m feeling quite devastated having come to the realization that I’m experiencing clitoral atrophy too. Lack of sensation, difficulty orgasming and sex toys aren’t doing the job as well too. I am on HRT - sandrena gel and Provera. These have improved other perimenopause symptoms (I’m 46). I have also recently started using Ovestin cream internally but now feel I need to try a little externally to help bring my clitoris back to life. I’m so worried it won’t work again.

[Jules]

In  my experience, I had to treat atrophy internally with topical estrogen such as vagifem pessaries and then the atrophy became apparent externally too so I started using estriol cream externally nightly.  Ive been using it almost a year now. It takes quite some time and you have to make it part of your daily routine but with persistence things improve. I waited too long as nobody told me what was happening or that there was treatment available. If Id started treatment promptly, the atrophy would have been less. I miss it in the palm of my hand with moisturiser such as vagisil or Yes and apply all over externally and a bit just in the vaginal enterance. The moisturiser makes it easier to spread.  I was in my 60s before it happened to me.

[Sunny14]

Thank you so much Jules! I’ll start that routine now too. I have the Yes moisturiser too. Gosh it has made me feel so sad 😞
Has it improved things for you?