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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

I do love gransnet. I learn about all sorts of new and exciting ailments that I might have one day.

Is this one caused by anything in particular? Or is it that some people have thinner skin than others? I do remember one of my sisters saying that she could no longer use perfumed things in the bath, but didn't seem inclined to enlighten me, is that perhaps why? It does sound like something really annoying and uncomfortable.

MISHAP - really

I thought that but didn't say it!

My GP agrees with you TriciaF - she reassured me that washing in the shower, using water only would be fine.

This isn't the jolliest topic is it, and much easier to discuss in cyber space than in RL

I don't think soap is necessary for washing the body, unless you've been in real muck.
I just use soap on my hands.
As for your problemCoolgran - I have that too but it's only internal at the moment and I use some hormone cream twice a week.

I am a little worried jings as to where you might have lost your soap!

I was once given some oestrogen cream for that area and all the cells that respond to oestrogen did so with knobs on and I had a swelling the size of a cauliflower - never again!

Found the previous thread

Thanks Nellie and Jenty

Back from chemist suitably fortified with Replens and E45 shower wash.
Have yet to read the instructions but see that Replens 'lasts up to 3 days' ? which sounds optimistic and I see that you (Jenty) use it more frequently - I'll play it by ear -or whatever-
Is the aqueous cream just plain E45.
Good to know that I can get Replens on prescription.

Odd.... I had noticed that I'm peeing much more.

I did see the Femfresh wash, after I'd already bought the E45 wash.

Nellie when you say you are now stable, are you still using treatments?

I'll do a search on the thread for vaginal atrophy. Don't know how, but I'm sure I'll suss it.

coolgran65 there is a whole thread somewhere on GN about vaginal atrophy.
I also use Vagifem low hormone pessaries which work on as low a dose as I can get away with.

Obviously if you cannot take such things because of other health issues they will not be suitable.
I was having discomfort just walking and sitting down never mind having sex. (whatever that is) It meant I had discomfort and urgency peeing at times.

It's more or less stable at present. Before I got a diagnosis and treatment it was miserable.

I find ordinary wash gels very irritating as they affect the sensitive skin.
I use Femfresh wash which seems whole lot cheaper than Vagisil.

To all sufferers it's full sympathy from me.

Like Lapwing I've been suffering with this for years!! The doctor refuses to give me an oestrogen cream as it feeds the lining of the womb which can lead to cancer...I use replens regularly although it says every 3rd day I use it more frequently this can be got on prescription now and I use aqueous cream every time after I go to the loo on the outer vagina...this can be bought over the counter...it's no cure but does make things more comfortable...going commando indoors is good as well...

Iam64 and Lapwing - The Replens sounds just the job...... as I head out the door to go to the chemist.

Coolgran65 my problem was both internal and external (vaginal atrophy) and I actually started bleeding which was why I went PDQ to the doctors. I was referred to a gyne consultant and she recommended the Replens because I am a high cancer risk and cannot use any hormone treatment. I can honestly say that it has made such a difference to my life - I could really relate to what you said about your underwear feeling abrasive and the effects it has on your intimate life. At one stage I could not even sit comfortably and a bumpy car journey was a nightmare. The Replens has really made my life so much more comfortable and normal.

The gyne consultant explained to me that by easing the internal problem the external would also be resolved and that is the way that it worked.

Yes it is coolgran, it's brilliant

Ain't it just lam64.

Lapwing I looked at Replens and this seems to be for vaginal dryness. (When necessary I use KY jelly - does this do the same thing as Replens).

My discomfort is ..... how can I best describe this..... an all over dryness in the general genitalia area, and is irritated by clothing. Is this what you also use Replens for.

I'm a rep lens fan, had to stop using the wonderful gel with hormones as it caused a mini bleed. The 'down below' stuff is very tedious isn't it.

This is such a common problem but because it is not often talked about sufferers think that they are on there own.

There also non-hormonal treatments, I find 'replens' works well. My doctor also recommended not using soap or if necessary Simple soap and I find it does not cause irritation.

So.. E45 Emollient wash cream, Oilatum, and Vagisil/Femfresh soap free washes. I def should be able to get one of these this morning.

Why didn't I ask this question when I joined a few months ago?
to all you lovely ladies.

E45 Emollient wash cream.... never soap, far too 'drying' in an area that is already far too dry!