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[UnsureOfOutcome]

Hope it’s ok to ask for some advice! Just been to see the nurse practitioner, who’s a menopause specialist, for my burning/dryness/soreness. She thinks I may have thrush, so has prescribed canestan for that, has also prescribed an oestrogen pessary, but ALSO said that she can see an area of atrophy (apparently the skin looks “tight”) at the opening of my vagina, and that I should use steroid cream on this area specifically for a month.

Just wondered if that sounds right?! Is this a way of getting things back on a level until the oestrogen works..? I’m a bit wary about it as I don’t think I’ve read about it, so wanted to get some wise counsel if possible!!!!

[Flossieteacake]

Of course it is okay to ask for advice.

Vaginal atrophy is caused by lack of oestrogen and using localised oestrogen daily will help you with this. I would not use the steroid cream as that is not something that will help VA. Steroid cream can help a sore vulva but I personally would not use it in your case.

As you have thrush you may prefer to take an oral thrush pill so it will not interfere with your VA treatment. I have found an oral pill to be more effective then using cream alone.

With the oestrogen pessary this is great and will help you internally but you can carry on using the Blissel on the outer area.

I have found using vaginal moisturiser a huge help too. I use Yes which I buy from Amazon.

[UnsureOfOutcome]

Thanks so much Flossieteacake! That tallies with what I was thinking. I’m not convinced I *do* have thrush, so going to wait for the swab results before treating, rather than piling on more stuff down there (I did take fluconazole last week, and don’t feel thrush-y - just sore, chafing, and that burning under the skin!). Will start with the pessaries tonight. And on your recommendation I tried Yes - the water based one didn’t really work but the oil-based one definitely seems to help the dryness which is great…

[Flossieteacake]

It is great Yes OB is helpful. It is a good idea to wait for the results to see if you do have thrush.

[Ayesha]

We really do have to look out for ourselves don't we!!
What a daft thing to suggest to use a steroid cream when Vaginal Atrophy treatment will with time solve the condition.

Just a thought about steroid cream, am I right in thinking prolonged use thins the skin, the last thing you want when suffering with VA.
 

[Dierdre]

My vulva specialist at the vulva clinic prescribed steroid cream for Lichens Sclerosus but also told me to use this when my atrophy was so bad the skin was splitting and thin and so raw. This is ok to use for a month with no damage to the skin.
It speeds up the healing process and repairs the damaged skin fast so the estrogen creams can be applied to the skin with less irritation and burning. It was so soothing and really helped in those first few weeks when my vulva was a mess.

[UnsureOfOutcome]

Ah ok thank you Deirdre - that does at least make sense of why she prescribed it!! I'm going to have a good look with a mirror (once i've finished work  ) I want to see for myself how bad the skin is. This has all been such a bolt from the blue - I'm a bit shocked it has happened so quickly, especially as I gather by the time you can see atrophy it's pretty severe already Really hoping the pessaries will help get things more settled. I'm so grateful for all the support and information on here - it's so much to learn about at top speed, when you're in pain!

[SarahT]

Hi similar to Deirdre,

When having my coil fitted the nurse saw how sore and split my skin was around the vulva. I just assumed (!) It was something I had to put up with.
I was also prescribed a steroid for this particular condition, and it did improve things. In fact I am having to use it now again after  seeing a split again.
It really helps.

Yeah, I too would check yourself once home from work...😁  wish you well

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.  Steroids work in small doses.

Initially I would use more ovestin on the split area or Savlon .  Is the pessary 'vagifem'.