Skin thinning - 'down below' - May Be 'too much information'

Janerowena it is quite a common and uncomfortable post menopause complaint basically caused by a drop in hormone levels. Some people are able to use hormone based creams to alleviate the symptoms but others (like me) are not but are still able to use other products which do work.

Just to 'throw one into the mix' and really I only use it for soreness/rubbing problems, which let's face it we will all get at some time of life.

I have tried so many creams but the one I have found to be best is Asdas Little Angels protective barrier cream. It is in the baby section.

I appreciate it won't help with skin thinning but it eases any soreness for me very quickly and the price is not going to break the bank giving it a whirl.

I see! Hormones. Just when you think you are going to be finally rid of them they sneak up behind you and stab you in the back, then. Oh joy. Having 'flu' this week has made my hot flushes far worse as it is.

I've just remembered an article I read about older women having silicone implants 'down there'. I wonder if that is why, I spent ages wondering about that.

My mother and her pals bought hrt over the internet. They were in their late 70s and early 80s at the time and an inspirational, if at times infuriating, group of women. When my mother's (new) GP refused to continue to prescribe hrt, she retorted - you wouldn't say that if I was the Queen Mother or Joan Collins, would you. She then joined the illicit group who ordered over the internet.

HRT does of course, stop all the thinning, itching, pain etc though I accept it does have side effects

Janerowena the hormones do not stab you in the back so much as in the nether regions.

Coolgran65 I think E45 has lanolin in it.

I hope it sorts your symptoms out soonish I know just how B uncomfortable it can be.

There are a lot less ingredients in Aqueous Cream BP and its cheaper, its basically "Vaseline." Petroleum Jelly with some water making it an emulsion. I use it as a basic moisturiser as it is not perfumed.

Lapwing thank you for pointing me to this thread from the other similar one. I have been using Replens for a while now and am so pleased with what a difference it has made for me. Your comments about the gynae consultant recommending it is good news.

I had never heard of VA until my GP mentioned it. I had so much trouble I was thinking of giving up work because sitting in the car was driving me mad. I was so depressed with the way I felt and bought hundreds of different pairs of knickers in an attempt to be more comfortable. I did not believe the GP when she said this would help. I couldn't understand how.

I use femfresh wash, no soap, hydrocortisone cream if I get a sore bit on occasions but Replens is my lifeline. I had even forgotten I had VA until this thread popped up.

Sympathy to all who are suffering, hope you find something that works for you soon.

It's a good job this has been aired on here again. It might mean others with difficulties can get some good advice and feel encouraged to talk about these difficulties.

nellie do you mention lanolin as something to be avoided?
crafting you mention knickers. I think I'll put all my knickers through a hot wash without detergent.

Does anyone use anything in particular to launder smalls. To avoid the chemicals.

Great advice throughout this thread, and the previous thread.

I used Fairy for my laundry for a while but once everything was more under control went back to just using non-bio products on a hot wash. My machine has an extra rinse programme and I also use that.

Coolgran A number of people can get an allergy to lanolin, so if you are putting on dry skin it could make it worse, its worth being aware of. You might not have problem with it.

allergies.about.com/od/fa1/f/moisturizercd.htm

Now that I'm older I have to avoid all sorts of creams, cosmetics, hair colourants., et., I stick with Baby Cream. I have to have dry cuts at the hairdressers cos I'm allergic to shampoos and hair sprays.

Only use water "down below". and always wear cotton underwear.

Loved your post Iam64! Fab illicit group who took responsibility for their hormones! I am 65 and just been put on HRT by a private gynaecologist as was getting suicidal with my symptoms which I'd been suffering with for 12 years. It's certainly helped with vaginal atrophy.

Coolgran I have just seen the end of your post about my AV being "stable". What I meant was that the couple of times a week of the vagifem which are now 10micrograms instead of 30 seem to keep it at bay. It's when its OK I tend to forget to use the pessaries and then start to notice.

crafting and others. The discomfort of even sitting down and the urgent need to pee was awful.

Lam 64 - I used to buy Vagifem off the internet - I had it on prescription in UK but it's not available in France. It was sent from a company in New Zealand.
But some time last year they started to ask you to provide a proper prescription from your doctor, which had to be scanned and sent with the order. I think there was a worldwide clampdown on buying drugs on the internet.
Anyway I now have a french product from my doctor which seems to be an effective alternative.

Oh dear I feel ill just reading the sort of stuff that may happen to me in the future. Im glad I don't have a partner to cause me embarrasment

Thank goodness managed to escape this so far!
Waitrose Baby Butter great for any sort of sore skin, dry skin, rashes, sunburn etc. tiny bit goes far and very reasonable price.

yes to no detergent when washing undies and yes to no soap when washing underparts.

Third day of taking the matter in hand......So to speak...

Using Replens, cortisone under prescription, no soap - And I think I notice a difference. Just realised I don't have quite the same discomfort today. Yippeeeee

Yipeeeeee indeed. That is good news Coolgran.

Good news Coolgran. I will just mention that if you are using the Replens, read the leaflet that comes with it. Using Replens regularly sometimes results in dead cells being washed out (white stuff). Can be a bit of a shock if you are not expecting it. The effect wears off with regular use. I cannot tell you what a difference it made to me. I rarely experience any discomfort now.

ethelbags1 it is good to have such a thread so that even those who don't suffer are aware of vaginal atrophy or thinning of tissues and know there is help. If I had read a thread like this when I started having problems it woul have saved me months of discomfort and stress. I had never realised this could happen.

Iam I agree with your comments about HRT solving lots of the problems but although I am off it now, the VA started while I was still taking it (sorry I might have posted this on the wrong thread. There are two running at the moment one on thinning and one on VA which I think are similar and I have both)

Firstly I would advise against using biological washing powder for undies as it can definitely exacerbate the symptoms.
Secondly, always get these symptoms checked out as it could be more serious. I have had Lichen Sclerosis for donkeys years and it has turned cancerous, more than once, resulting in major surgery. Not wanting to scare anyone, but it can be too easy to dismiss symptoms as ageing or the menopause. If you don't want to see your GP, you can attend a walk in at the hospital GUM clinic. They sorted me out. Better safe than sorry.

I suffered for months before I saw my GP- who was horrified I had waited -in pain- so long. The first application of 1% Hydrocortisan cream helped so much & it finally cleared it up immediately. However- it does come back so I just use cream sparingly when it does.

It is only external & also affect anal area so not sure Replens would help but I'll give it a go as I don't like using steroid too often.

I'm coming back as a man next time- or a much loved cat!

GrandmaH - Replens helps moisturise the whole area, including the anal area. it's such a relief but like others, I've found it one of the most unpleasant and usually unknown/not talked about, things about getting older.

I agree, iam64, as i could never talk about this with any of my friends.
A very difficult topic to raise.
Thank heavens for the anonymity of GN, where you can say almost anything, because nobody knows who you are!