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[Elissa]

Hi again, just thought I'd ask, if you don't mind, if anyone else gets or has had inner thigh skin sensitivity?

It feels like a carpet/friction burn but there's often nothing to see (sometimes the skin is a little pink but most times not).

Also my cheeks (where they meet my legs has the same sensation). It's really painful to walk around as clothes rub on the skin 

Any ideas? Is this part of atrophy? Thanks so much 

[Ayesha]

I don't think it would be part of vaginal atrophy but obviously not an expert, could it be an eczema rash or simply sensitive skin?

[Minusminnie]

I agree & think your inner thigh burn is something beyond just VA.

If it helps a bathroom magnifying mirror is handy to check yourself out. I took the suction cup of a round mirror in a square frame and hold it between my thighs at times to check what is going on.

[bombsh3ll]

VA doesn't spread down your legs!

That doesn't mean your genital area wouldn't benefit from some estrogen, but it's unlikely to be the whole picture, and if the GP treatment isn't working, a referral to a dermatologist may be warranted.

I would also SERIOUSLY question the long term daily use of 10mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. There are much better and kinder options for menstrual suppression. You will almost certainly be lacking in estrogen systemically, which is really important for your long term health.

[Elissa]

Hi thanks again for replies. The 'chafing' issue where pants/trousers seams irritate/hurt me, is my biggest issue right now.  Interesting to hear a few saying definitely not VA.  I'll need to see a dermatologist then.

Re Provera, my gynae did say Mirena was best option but gave me impression Provera was 'the tablet equivalent' so I didn't think too much about it. It has worked well but I'm worried about side affects now since GP mentioned suppressing estrogen and I have seen it mentioned several places online too.

I've previously tried the combined pill back to back without breaks for bleeding (on advice of a different GP)  and also the minipill but they didn't reduce the bleeding enough.

Bombsh3ll- would you know of any alternatives? Does the Mirena contain progesterone and I wonder would it be enough for me? Cheers

[Ayesha]

Some women when they can't find the answers book themselves an appointment at their local GUM clinic. A friend found out exactly what was happening with her by doing this, might be worth a try!

[Elissa]

Thank you very much Ayesha.  I have just booked an appointment, they have a specialist vulva health clinic close to home!
I'm so grateful you mentioned that as an option. I totally overlooked that avenue 

[bombsh3ll]

If the combined pill continuously didn't help, a mirena would probably be your best option.

Yes it is invasive but a heck of a lot better than being in iatrogenic menopause for several years at your age.

Most women tolerate insertion well, and it is not that much more uncomfortable than a smear test.

If you have no interest in future pregnancy you could also consider endometrial ablation.

This is a bit more involved than a mirena and not reversible, however it can be a good option and certainly worth looking into rather than long term provera!

[Elissa]

Thanks for coming back to me bombsh3ll.  I had forgotten about the option of ablation so will bear that in mind.

Bit of an update from me: visited my GP yesterday to chat about my situation.  My biggest concern was the pain I have been experiencing from the inner thigh sensitivity and how much it hurts to walk around my house (let alone anywhere else)!

I have been leaning towards it all being to do with low estrogen and had all my questions prepared regarding increasing the frequency of Ovestin and getting rid of the Provera tablets.  She still believes however, that it might be a skin thing and has referred me to a dermotologist specialising in women's health.

She also wonders if my existing blushing issue (diagnosed by a GP years ago as rosacea) might be linked to the whole genital area burning/itching and my inner thigh sensitivity.

I have been blushing at the drop of a hat since early high school.  Not sure if anyone else has this?  I blush (patchy redness, not sore just hot) all over my face, neck, chest and even arms at time.  This can be in response to eating spicy food, drinking something hot, drinking alcohol, stress, social interaction e.g. bumping into someone in the street when I wasn't expecting to and even sometimes when I am! 

I don't think she agrees it's rosacea...  Anyway, mentioning all this as it might help someone else if they're reading this in the future and I've posted some kind of conclusion regarding what on earth this is all about!

I struggle to think that something I've been experience since puberty (blushing) is related to a leg and genital area issue I'm experiencing suddenly in my 40s, but who knows!

With regards to Ovestin, she said no to me increasing frequency.  I asked about applying it externally to my sore bits and she said I can try but advised she didn't think it would help and its external use hasn't been proven as beneficial.  Fwiw, I believe you ladies when you say it helps you however, since my diagnosis is not confirmed I think I'll just stick with my twice weekly internal application for now...

She said no blood test is required to check my estrogen levels and she said she didn't need to examine internally... She said I should continue using the steroid cream.  She isn't in any rush to move me to the Mirena...

I guess I'll have to trust in her for now.  Please let me know if anyone has any thoughts on my situation, happy to hear what you think.  Thanks for the support 

[Elissa]

Look what I found!  Posted by Brown eyed girl in new members thread:
Skin sensitivity / tight muscles.

This describes my situation including the knicker elastic chafing! Pity we don't know the outcome from this poster or certainly I can't seem to find it!

« on: December 18, 2018, 03:16:13 PM »

Quote

Hi ladies

Another question which I hope you'll be able to help me with - I've just started on HRT, the 37.5mg estradot patches as prescribed by a menopause specialist.

I recently posted about some of my symptoms which were mainly bladder and possible VA issues - but I also have sore / sensitive skin which is made worse by clothing rubbing on it at times - this is either around my inner thigh / on the knicker line and also sometimes around my buttocks ( sorry for TMI). It's such an odd sensation and one that's difficult to talk about, but it has a massive impact on how I feel day to day. 

I'm hoping this is another low estrogen symptom which will get better as the HRT kicks in - can anyone relate to this or offer any suggestions of how to relieve it eg creams etc?

Thanks for reading!

[Jules]

That's concerning that she claims ovestin/estriol isn't beneficial. Did she mean for your particular problem or for atrophy?

[Elissa]

Hi Jules, she explained that there's no evidence that Ovestin is beneficial externally and I understood her to be referring to VA when she said that.  If I do have dermatitis or something similar I can't imagine it would be useful for treating that, so yes I understood VA.

She's told me to continue Ovestin but only as prescribed (internally and twice a week).

All a little confusing.  What do you reckon?

[Jules]

Hi Jules, she explained that there's no evidence that Ovestin is beneficial externally and I understood her to be referring to VA when she said that.  If I do have dermatitis or something similar I can't imagine it would be useful for treating that, so yes I understood VA.

She's told me to continue Ovestin but only as prescribed (internally and twice a week).

All a little confusing.  What do you reckon?

It's certainly helped me. With symptoms and visibly. Not a miracle cure but seemed to halt or slow the atrophy.  Why would the nhs foot the bill for something that has no proof of effectiveness?  Did she have an alternative for atrophy externally? I'll be interested to hear what other members think.

[Elissa]

There is a chance she was just trying to discourage me from using it externally I guess...maybe until we know what is going on with me specifically.

[Ayesha]

After three years of daily Vagifem and Estriol (Ovestin) I decided to experiment to check if I could cut down on the dose. I got down to five days Vagifem before the GSM (VA) symptoms returned, now back on 6/7 days treatment.
I then decided to check if I needed the Estriol (Ovestin) which I smear on the outside with a tube lasting me three to four months. After four days of not using the Estriol the GSM (VA) symptoms returned.
Therefore, in my experience the Estriol cream is essential in my treatment of GSM, confirmed by a nurse I spoke to recently at my review.

Go by your own instincts, because little is known by GP’s about the condition, it is so individualised and only you will know what you need.  I am saying that even though you have other issues going on but these treatments are essential and its so annoying to hear your GP's response to what is such a low dose of HRT. But as you suggest, she wants you to wait to see what else is going on.