Sex after menopause

I was given Vagifem by my doctor but when I went for a repeat they told me they did not recommend it on a regular basis as it is oestrogen based and could lead to breast cancer.

Vagifem is a miracle worker (and also allows for smears to be taken practically painlessly - without it, it is impossible and is why I was prescribed it!)

flexiblefriend please can you explain atrophy. I'm not sure what it is.

Thank you everyone for the advice and giggles (Vatican!). I can't take hrt but will try vagifem pesseries. If that fails then we will just have to be more creative! Fortunately my hubby is lovely and very understanding. I think it bothers me more

I was on HRT for over twenty years. Very few problems, and it was the most creatively productive time of my life. I then got breast cancer - an unusual one and not oestrogen-related - but I was still taken off it. Since then, my health hasn't been great. I also have osteoporosis, inherited from my mum - the main reason for opting for HRT in the first place as it's a great bone conserver. Since I lost my husband five years ago, my health has really gone downhill, and I know that's grief-related, but I'd love to try the smallest dose of HRT again.
Oh, and I LOVED Vatican cream - a whole new and profitable brand there

I use Vagifem too, but as a tiny pill inserted twice a week at night with an applicator thingie. Works perfectly. Only downside is a small amount of discharge next day from the melting of the pill - I use a washable pantyliner. Your doctor will be quite used to this and TBH you still need to have internal examinations at your age for cervical cancer anyway. So pull up your Big Girl Pants and get to the GP pronto!

I’m 68 with a partner 13 years younger with a high libido. Therefore quite a bit of sex. No HRT with menopause but now use the ‘vatican’ pessaries for dryness. My trouble is with low libido, it’s disappointing after having a high one for most of my life up until post menopause. My ex husband wasn’t that interested so it’s a shame that I’m not now that I have a partner who is! Hey ho..

Vagifem vaginal tablets may help, plus a vaginal jel that can be inserted before intercourse that you can buy in any chemist. Having been on HRT for many years, I have been advised not to continue. I have got urinary infections because of the dryness but this is the best advice I have to offer.

Don't mention Bonjela.... Oh no, that's those naughty Mumsnetters!

You could sell it along with the Jesus fluid mentioned a few weeks ago!

I laughed when I saw it myself and now
you've all made me laugh again, and again.
And as for the Pope ..... I'll look at him in a new light.
A cottage industry perhaps ??

Apropos of nothing......

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvhYqeGp_Do

I'm sitting here with tears steaming down my cheeks (facial ones) at Vatican cream, yet wanting to post other stuff relevant to the op, but can't.

Hahahahaha!! Love it....Vatican cream!

???

I've nothing sensible to add to this thread except I'm choking with laughter at Vatican cream for sandpaper sex! I won't be able to look at photos of the Pope again without sniggering! Thanks so much Coolgran, I really needed that giggle!

I use YES vaginal gel from the internet.(great name) This is a natural lubricant. I cannot have HRT for health reasons so I found this after a lot of research. The vaginal gel prescribed by my GP didn't help me.
I believe some GPs will give it via prescription unfortunately mine won't.

Vatican cream! hahahaha ...

I have the pessaries and I know what I'll be calling them from now on ...

So, Mollyplop, sorry to hear of your situation. Looks like the advice is doc, loads of lube and non penetrative sex ... a lot of fun can be had without it.

Hope things ease up soon x

It is good we can laugh about things that can be difficult to talk about! I have been lucky and had a relatively easy menopause at about 57 & the following 10 years have been fine sex wise..but pleased to get the info in case I do need help in the future!

giggle

I'm sorry shouldn't laugh but sandpaper sex and Vatican cream have made me laugh so much my iPad fell off my extended belly and fell on the floor and woke up my husband and made the dog jump off the bed and bark!

I love it ......Vatican cream. Can perform miracles!

Ooops... Not Vatican cream.
Stupid autocorrect.
It should be vagifem cream ?

I'm 70 and still active. For years I've used Vatican cream for daily dryness, and ky jelly for sex. However recently this hasn't been enough and it's been a bit like 'sandpaper sex.'.

You have reminded me that previously I've used the hormone cream successfully. I'll ask my doctor at an upcoming appointment.

Lynne - it's not me it's him! He's a bit younger than me.
But he seems to have calmed down now TG.