Atrophic Vaginitis ........help pleeeeese

Vagifem, Replens & 100 percent cotton underwear work for me.
Also, I use Vaseline when swimming in a pool.

I have been using Replens for the last few years for vaginal dryness.

It seems to work fine. I use it two or three times a week. However, I do get a white discharge from it. I read that this is dead cells breaking down.

Has anyone else had this experience with Replens?

Like others found Yes to be very good.

I've also found YES VM good, I have to be careful with oestrogen because of having blood clots when I first went on the pill about 100 years ago! When I saw a urologist recently about recurrent UTIs he recommended taking D-Mannose, as well as making sure I'm completely emptying my bladder (difficult to know). D-Mannose is some kind of simple sugar but there is research on NICE website suggesting it helps prevent recurring UTIs by stopping the bad bacteria attaching to the inside bladder wall (as I understand it- I'm not a medic though all this trawling through the net we have to do these days surely qualifies us for something!) Good luck and I do hope you get some relief soon from all the unpleasant symptoms.

grumpygran2

I'm definitely coming back as a Man. Following menopause, skin very thin and dry, hair thinning fast and after years of sweats and mood swings, now the dreadful Vaginal atrophy!!
I'm using Ovestin cream and YES lubricant but am still uncomfortable down there. Sore red patch on vulva which GP says is nothing to worry about and burning. Needless to say I have regular UTIs. Anyone else get the soreness but no itching??

Yes!

I use Estriol cream twice a week. It was never prescribed more than that. I have no problems at all. Never fancied general HRT, history of breast cancer, and preferred to ride it through. I seem fine now.
My friend had issues like you though. Took it every day, and was fine. When she went down to twice a week, her symptoms returned. I haven’t seen her due to covid, so I don’t know how she is now, but she’s never mentioned it when we video call, so I’m assuming it all settled down. Hopefully yours will too.

Hi. I too have struggled over several years with uti/cystitis at peri menopausal stage and since. I have not been able to use soap for years but have used femfresh liquid soap or boots own version very successfully. I would also recommend D manoose tablets which can be obtained via amazon. They keep the urinary tract healthy and bacteria free. I recommended these also to my cousin who had had UTI problems for years and having taken up my recommendation, she has seen massive improvement, as have I. They mean your body is not taking constant antibiotics which are not healthy in the long term and stop working effectively. Good luck as seriously nothing more uncomfortable

Grandyma , don't ever be embarrassed to see your GP regarding your personal health. It not pleasant I know but neither is feeling ill , having low mood etc. Do hope to you are beginning to improve. Vagifem works for me , but still have flare ups of lichen sclerosis and that makes me miserable- but I do make a GP appointment when necessary.
Gransnet is a great place to ' talk ' to women in similar situations. Easier to discuss online that to talk to family or friends about sensitive issues! So glad I joined!!! Take care and be kind to yourself.

Sending great sympathy to all we sufferers. It’s heart warming to read of the kind help and support offered here. My two pennyworth: Gladskin eczema gel brings me great relief. It kills off staph. aureus thereby allowing the good bacteria to thrive. I’m presuming staph. aureus was causing my soreness.

Grandyma antibiotics give me thrush which adds to the problems. I hope you avoid that. In desperation natural yoghurt eases the discomfort albeit it is a bit messy but cool and does the job. GP recommend that to me years ago. Luckily I haven’t suffered “down below” for a few years now but I can remember how uncomfortable it was. Hope you get relief for the discomfort soon.

Thank you shelflife. I’ve been so worried and a bit embarrassed to go to GP. It really does help to talk ?

Grandyma, I sympathize with you . Vagifem does take some time , so stick with it. Hope the antibiotics are doing their job , failing that it would seem another GP appointment is in order. Uti infection does drag ones mood down , I know you are feeling very low. Thinking of you and don't apologize about 'the rant' it is good to ' talk' even with people you don't know! Hang in there - it will get better. The pandemic does not help with our anxieties or our moods! I wish you well and send you lots of positive vibes , good luck and enjoy this spring sunshine ☀️

I have recently been diagnosed with va and am in the second week of using vagifem pessaries. Prior to this I’d put up with the awful itching/chafing for about a year. I’m 66 and celibate. I’m currently suffering a uti and feel awful - sick, hot etc. I’ve got antibiotics for the uti but so far not really helping. Just feel so low and sick and uncomfortable ? sorry for the rant.

I use vagifem vaginal tablets . My constant need to wee has gone . They do take time to work so be patient, also wash knickers seperatly - without detergent. It does take many washes to fully get rid of soap residue. Or ditch them and buy new!
Itching is another problem , Trimovate from GP certainly helps during a flare up. Post menopausel symptoms are not easy to live with - I wish all you ladies well !

If you are sexually active, LOTS of lubrication for both of you, and be gentle. Some positions are better than others.

KY was OK until the formula changed, and it irritated, as did Boots Lubricant. Lloyds Pharmacy personal lubricant was good. But they stopped selling it.
Optilube from GS Supplies is effective, and cheap. The downside is the shipping charge, (£6.50) so it pays to order at least 6 tubes at a time.

I have had VA for ten years. Two vagifem a week worked well for five years and then all my symptoms came back so I have been taking a top up of ovestin and two extra vagifem once a week. Five years on the symptoms have returned. Any advice on upping the dosage yet again please.

Multigyn actigel is really good for easing burning and itching
Amazon sell it, but i believe Boots and Superdrug do too

It’s reassuring to read that others have similar problems. I suffer from interstitial cystitis with Hunner Ulcers and also vaginal atrophy. I take Ovestin twice a week but sex is still very painful (feels like a sharp knife). I grin and bear it once every couple of months but wonder how other women my age manage. I have a close friend who had 4 children and has wonderful sex with her new partner and no problems at all. Replens didn’t help and is also very expensive here in New Zealand. I use Lignocaine anaesthetic before sex and it doesn’t help either. I would love any helpful suggestions.

Hello to everyone. I have never posted before but could do with advice from you very knowledgeable ladies. I am 67 and have also been suffering with all the symptoms of va. I have seen a menopausal specialist and after history been taken she did not recommend hrt for me but has recommended Ospemifene which mimics oestrogen. I just wondered if anyone had ever taken this before I start on it. She stated the risks of cancer and stroke ! are very low and she considers it safe. It would be very reassuring to hear if there is anyone else on it.

There is a facebook group called vaginal atrophy that is run by, amongst others, a lady called Jane Lewis. Lots of resources and lots of help.

Another fan of Yes moisturisers, all natural ingredients. I like the oil based one best. I use it about 3 or 4 times a week, it seems to keep things supple and itch/burn free. I can't have HRT, so I find it very helpful. I understand this is available on prescription now. I usually buy it from Amazon, but will try the GP for my next tube.

I have AV and the burning and scratching I did with this turned out to be lichen sclerosis. I was prescribed dermovate steroid cream for the outer area and ovestin cream and testosterone gel. I got fed up shoving that cream in twice a day with a very vagina unfriendly applicator that felt like ramming a stick up. Tried the testosterone for a while prescribed by a gynaecologist which did give me more energy and better mood but got fed up slapping that on twice a week. Got another bout of the sclerosis recently and read somewhere about Aveeno cream which was like a bloody miracle stopped all the itching and burning. I probably still have AV I’m 67 and don’t have a partner so I’m not too bothered and let nature take its course. I was worried about the topical hormones I was putting in my body as I was too old for hrt by mouth.

Like you I am on vagifem which helped a lot but not completely now,Imhave been put on Tribilone and the has made a huge difference. If I can sort the stress incontinence I will be a happy bunny

I also found that oestrogen creams or pessaries made everything swell up! From one lot of discomfort to another ... I started HRT patches about a year ago, and I also use the YES VM daily. Tried other moisturisers but I seem to react to them as well :-( YES is the only one I can tolerate and although I still have discomfort and redness, the moisturiser does help.

I'm definitely coming back as a Man. Following menopause, skin very thin and dry, hair thinning fast and after years of sweats and mood swings, now the dreadful Vaginal atrophy!!
I'm using Ovestin cream and YES lubricant but am still uncomfortable down there. Sore red patch on vulva which GP says is nothing to worry about and burning. Needless to say I have regular UTIs. Anyone else get the soreness but no itching??