Reusable Vaginal Applicator for Moisturiser

This is not something I know about I'm afraid.
Personally I'd go back to my doctor about this and discuss options with them.

Hi KathyAB My GP told me I had to stop Vagifem about 18 months ago. He didn't give a reason but I've had breast cancer twice so I thought it was that. Anyway, my symptoms became worse and in the end I asked him to begin prescribing it again, and he did.

I should go back to your doctor and insist, or see a different doc at the practice.

You could ask for a referral to a Urogynaecologist. Specialists will often prescribe things that the GP does not recommend. I was prescribed Oestriol from a Urogynaecologist and still getting it from the GP four years later.

If you buy the Replens it comes with a separate (not prefilled) applicator. It come apart and is washable and you could use it with other moisturers.

If you buy a Canesten Pessary, it has an applicator in there that comes apart (just checked it!)

I was prescribed Ovestin several years ago, and I still get it. It has stopped the regular water infections I used to get.
You can buy a variety of moisturisers from Amazon and you can buy disposable applicators from Amazon. ‘Yes’ is the best I’d say, and you can use it externally and internally. It is very expensive though.

My Replens applicator is washable and comes apart for cleaning. I suspect that Replens is mostly (or could be entirely) petroleum jelly anyway, so vaseline would do the job. The trick would be getting the vaseline into the applicator. I intend to give it a go when the Replens tube runs out.

I don’t think Replens is vaseleline Blinko. Are you sure it’s a good idea to use that ?
Kathy how long have you been using Replens? The white discharge (dead cells) does continue for a while but then stops. Many people don’t get on with Replens but it works well for me. As suggested above, try buying an ordinary Replens tube that come with an applicator you can take apart and wash.

Thanks for the warning, Doodle. I'll check the ingredients on the box before I try anything too adventurous!

Blinko I’ve read that Vaseline can cause redness and irritation. Try and google it just in case.

Thanks for the suggestion and I did have a telephone conversation with the triage nurse who said he didn't have a lot of knowledge about this and booked me in with a Dr the next day (which I was surprised and delighted about during this crisis). Although I had used Canestan Duo over the counter the Dr examined me and said I still had thrush, gave me a stronger Canestan suppository prescription and asked me to return in 2 months to discuss the way forward. I'd like to avoid medication if I possibly can and will keep everyone posted.

Thank you for your comment and I suspect this is the case for me as my mother at 45 and sister at 55 had breast cancer. My sister showed me her path results that rule out a hereditary breast cancer gene but sadly there are no records for my mother. I'm OK so far thank God. Different Doctors in my surgery have different opinions and view statistics differently with the one renewing my prescriptions saying "no more". I'd prefer to be cautious so long as I can find a non hormone cream or moisturiser that works. I'm having a review in 6 weeks where I can sit down with a Dr and discuss this problem properly.

Blinko, please do not use Vaseline or other solutions mentioned on the internet like Vitamin E or Coconut Oil. They can cause irritation or even worse yeast infections.

Thank you GrandmaMoira for that suggestion of seeing a Urogynaecologist. I will raise it at my review with the GP in 6 weeks.

Thank you Sardinia2020, I'll buy Replens in the tube and give the applicator a try.

Thank you Doodle. I'll try Replens in a tube and give the applicator a try. I've also found a World Health Organisation pdf that lists various moisturisers and lubricants on the market and their ingredients. I emailed Yes to suggest they get themselves on the WHO comparison list and Yes pointed me to their web page "How Does YES Compare". They come out well and pretty much replicates the WHO list of products with stats on bad ingredients like Parabens, Glycerine, Clycols, Perfumes, warming sensation etc. Yes comes out very well according to the stats on their own website. I'm in the middle of researchng "Osmolality and pH Properties" too and will report back if anyone is interested.

Thank you maddyone but I remember how difficult it was to clean the Ovestin applicator 10 years ago. Unless it has been improved since or I can use the new "candle" suppository this one might not be for me. But thanks, I'll mention at my review in 6 weeks.

KathyAB, Yes VM (Vaginal Moisturising Gel IS available on prescription. I read this in a woman's magazine and when I asked my Dr. about it after repeated UTI problems she told me only available for buying and when I told her about this article she looked it up and said yes I was right and only just become available on prescription. So when I went to the chemist I was able to buy the applicator. Yes VM is totally organic and hormone free and that was very important as had breast cancer 11 years ago. Hope this helps.

Thank you mrsgreenfingers56. I shall ask about Yes VM on prescription when I see the GP but I don't hold out much hope as they were not keen on giving me Replens on prescription to try out.

Vaseline is waterproof.
Most moisturisers are water based.
Some lubricants can cause irritation, to some people. Many years ago we tried Boots, and it did. A while ago, KY changed and that caused irritation.
Optilube works well for both of us.

I use Sylk, it is free from additives and you can either buy it by post or get it on prescription but It does not come with an applicator. I have mine on prescription.

I’ve been using vagifem for a few years but not doing so well with it now. Wasn’t sure if they changed it or if it’s me. I put the applicator in the dishwasher as it’s hard to clean it otherwise.

Have got some Sylk so will give it a try to see if it helps. Lockdown has meant too much sitting around so adding more walking to my existing walking.

I had a book called Overcoming Thrush which suggested dietary issues. I found cutting back on sugar helped. I think yeast and flour were mentioned as well but that would be more difficult.

When asked if there was an applicator for KY , S i L replied
" You don't need one. Every man has one"
And she was right!
For anyone upset by this thread remember,
Nice people don't talk about sex. They just suffer in silence.

Thanks, Doodle and KathyAB. I've just ordered a stock of Replens on t'internet.