Gransnet forums

Menopause

Menopausal itching scratching dreadfulness

(34 Posts)
GlamM Sun 30-Dec-18 11:29:47

Hey you lovely lot. So months ago I posted about extreme itching and pain in the lady garden area , you all gave me lots of advice. I saw my GP who after a lot of back and forth did swab tests and everything came back negative ( thankfully ) anyway I then got told I needed an appointment to see a specialist ... excellent I thought light at the end of the tunnel ( pardon the pun ) then I got the appointment for 6 months from now SIX MONTHS. So I have had to spend £250 to get a private appointment to see a Dr. The appointment is 4/1 and I am hoping that I will be told what’s wrong given treatment and can get in with my life. No more waking up like I’ve been heavy petting with Freddy Kruger , no more planning a wake for my once perfect lady garden , no more keeping boots afloat with my spending on everything aledged to help and cure what ails me , no more having to say remember when we had sex and it was good. So for anyone out there suffering with the most embarrassing painful depressing symptoms stay tuned. I might just have the answer to it.

crazyH Sun 14-Apr-19 23:11:26

I suffer from eczema....I have been prescribed a steroid cream. I use a teeny bit on my 'lady bits' if I find it starts itching, due to dryness .
I always use a pantiliner....I change it twice a day. If I have forgotten to change, the itching starts again. Eating sugary stuff brings it on as well. But I the main reason for postmeopausal women is dryness. I use a light application of Diprobase (moisturiser) as well.

B9exchange Sun 14-Apr-19 22:53:08

I had six weeks of hell and various treatments didn't work, in fact ones that temporarily soothed I then began to react to. Then I was given an appointment with a lady GP specialising in skin conditions. She prescribed a stronger steroid ointment (she said I would be less likely to react to an ointment than a cream, and Vagifem pessaries, one to be taken every night for a fortnight, then three times a week. In less than a week the pain and irritation had gone and the inflammation had subsided. Do persist in seeking treatment, I have got my life back!

Joelsnan Sun 14-Apr-19 22:15:32

Could be as a result of lowering Oestrogen levels. The lady bits atrophy, skin thins and lubrication dries. You may need oestrogen cream/pessaries.
We obviously weren't intended to live as long as we now are and evolution hasn't caught up yet.

Territerri55 Sun 14-Apr-19 21:11:14

I'm on HRT and it sounds like you have what happened to me. I'm allergic to it. I also have GSM. It took me six drs to find that out. Now a cure is another matter. As usual it down to us sufferers to figure that out

Alegria56 Sun 03-Feb-19 22:37:09

I have this too, it is driving me crazy. Just one foot down the side. I’ve had it for about 8 months now.

GlamM Fri 04-Jan-19 19:31:38

So , the appointment went well, the Dr a very lovely lady who took time to find out all about me ; she gave me a thorough examination from scalp to toes ! And then gave me a heavy duty steroid cream to use for the damage done by the eczema -8 weeks then back again to see her for a check up. I’m already feeling the change being 25% less itchy and down right miserable ?. I’m still incredulous that my own GP couldn’t prescribe the cream and that it’s been a huge finacial and mental strain - but I am truly thankful that I am feeling a little better. If any of you have the same problems and aren’t getting anywhere then don’t take NO for an answer. Thank you all for your support and helpful suggestions it was comforting to know I wasn’t alone xx

phoenix Wed 02-Jan-19 18:32:38

Just a thought, have you been using toilet roll that has "perfume" or some sort of stuff added to it?

Might be worth trying a change of loo roll for a while and seeing if that has any effect?z

Nanabilly Tue 01-Jan-19 18:56:16

I have had itching in my "bits" and after keeping a diary I put it down to if I eat too much sugary things. It got worse around birthday mothers day and easter. Once I realised what it might be i deliberately ate too much chocolate and it cleared up and soon as I cut it down or out it cleared up.

GlamM Tue 01-Jan-19 17:30:37

I’m already using a hypoallergenic mattress duvet pillows etc. No soap , shower gel , non bio , bleach free toilet roll , bleach free bamboo panty liners , no diary , reduced sugar ( am attempting sugar free now ) short nails , and just about every other wonderful piece of advice given. Roll on Thursday hmm

GlamM Tue 01-Jan-19 17:26:28

I’m only 50 and this has been over 2 years so I’m rather hoping it’ll be sorted ASAP ... or I may opt for some drastic measures like becoming a man grin

Gonegirl Mon 31-Dec-18 10:16:56

One tip I read on the net for the excema type itchiness is, if you really have to scratch, do so with the backs of your fingernails (go downwards) Brings some relief without scraping skin away.

Doesn't help OP of course.

BlueBelle Mon 31-Dec-18 10:16:41

Try organic coconut oil/butter it’s cheap as chips and helps so many things well worth a try

Bathsheba Mon 31-Dec-18 10:13:11

I suffer with itchiness in various areas, but particularly on my back - in the 'difficult to reach' area around my shoulder blades. Consequently I have several extending back scratchers scattered around the house. I also keep one in my handbag, so that if I'm out anywhere I can dash into a toilet and have a good scratch grin
One thing that has helped a little is replacing my feather pillows and duvet with hypoallergenic ones. Until I hit on that idea, I could barely sleep at night for scratching. Now, although I still suffer, the itchiness is a lot more manageable.

Gonegirl Mon 31-Dec-18 10:12:49

I am now 77 and completely symptom free. So hold on. grin

Gonegirl Mon 31-Dec-18 10:11:08

Another thing happened to me at menopause. I couldn't go in the sea. I would immediately break out in an horrific stinging rash. Absolute agony. Don't know if it was the abrupt change of temperature, or the salt. Glad to say, that passed too.

Gonegirl Mon 31-Dec-18 10:08:45

I had this. It used to go down the insides of my legs as well. Couldn't have been as bad as yours though because I just waited for it to pass. It did. Thank goodness.

newnanny Mon 31-Dec-18 10:02:53

I get itching on the sole of my feet. I have tried all sorts of creams. Not diabetic as had test for that. Cut back sugar anyway but made no difference. Sometimes i scratch the so much i make them bleed and so sore to walk on. Gp just says cream.

GlamM Mon 31-Dec-18 09:49:27

I’ve been checked abs tested for LS, no that they say.

Bathsheba Sun 30-Dec-18 18:09:54

Sounds very like the itchiness and soreness I was getting before my lichen sclerosus diagnosis. Regular treatment with steroid cream is keeping it under control, thank goodness. Good luck with your appointment - hope you get it sorted once and for all.

Lisagran Sun 30-Dec-18 18:08:34

No dairy at all? Do you have much sugar - directly, or in, say, processed foods. Dairy and sugar cause quite a few problems for some people - me for one! - so I cut them out as much as poss.

GlamM Sun 30-Dec-18 18:05:11

I’m happy to call it moon landing fairy dust as long as they find a treatment that bloody works before I skewer myself in my sleep. ?

phoenix Sun 30-Dec-18 18:03:45

GlamM dermatitis is rather a "catch all" term, just means inflammation of the skin!

GlamM Sun 30-Dec-18 18:03:11

Thank you. It’s been 2 years of feeling like I have no idea what to do next , interestingly I have developed eczema again too after not having it since I was a kid. Fingers crossed I’ll get help

crystaltipps Sun 30-Dec-18 17:59:30

I suffer from itchy allergies which have affected variously my anal region, ears, scalp, not the lady bits, fortunately. I had two years of problems with my ears which cleared up miraculously with a prescription of antibiotics and heavy duty steroid cream. Haven’t managed to pin down the source of the allergy, but research suggests it’s unlikely to be one single thing, maybe a combination of environmental triggers which affect the immune system. I’ve had all the tests to rule out any underlying issues with thyroid, liver, diabetes etc. So it’s just something to deal with as best as possible. I know it’s a nightmare though. At the moment I’m ok fingers crossed. Good luck with your appointment.

GlamM Sun 30-Dec-18 17:47:00

Tested and cleared for it. I think I have dermatitis , but until I see the specialist I have to suffer.