Menopause Discussion > Personal Experiences
Tell us how you cope with vaginal dryness
Flossieteacake:
--- Quote from: LauraInScotland on January 28, 2023, 06:32:11 PM ---I'm having pH issues so I've put this post here under 'vaginal dryness' because it's linked.
The pH changes have been pretty significant for me, but I'm so early that they've not tested me yet so no HRT and it's months' wait for a referral (3 months so far). About 15 months ago, I got night sweats, then they went. I got similar symptoms to gall stones and a few other things so they did all sorts of other tests and put it down to (early ish, but not early enough to be called 'early') peri-menopause at 39. Now, I have:
- a reaction to my own sweat so I have to use sudocreme on my underarms every night
- minor vaginal dryness, thankfully not noticeably so for my sex life (though my libido is well down)
- itchy skin, everywhere
- Periodic Limb Movement (flailing limbs in your sleep, linked to restless leg syndrome) flare ups and occasionally restless legs (though the latter isn't really that bad, PLM keeps my husband up)
- and now cystitis. I was prone to it as a youngster, so I'm very scared of it because it had such a huge impact on me at college and uni. Particularly now because I have an hour's drive home from work and the public toilets are seasonal. I drove home with a plastic bag on my seat and I had to go in the bushes in a layby. Its so traumatic. I'd rather have the night sweats again.
I dont even have any friends in the same position because I'm so young.
The PLM and Cystitis flared within 24 hours of one another which was odd, there seems to be no other link but menopause.
My plan with the OBGYN team was a combined coil and HRT based plan. Since symptoms have increased, I requested an NHS referral to initiate the plan. To do that I called the GP, they texted me with a self-referral number which I called. They told me because my coil is not for contraception reasons I had to call my GP back and ask THEM to refer me (what a joke). They did that and I got a letter two months later 'we're sorry for the delay' ...I have to admit I am VERY angry with the NHS team. The NHS claim to be patient-centric but I work in a public facing industry and I had to do everything myself. No one said 'I'll contact your GP for you and sort this' no one said 'are you ok?' no one said 'do you need help with this?' and what a waste of my GP's time. I should have just lied. I'll remember next time. But that's not a patient centric service, they didnt offer me anything and have asked me to do everything.
Anyway, it seems I cant solve the issue until the NHS solve theirs.
Vaginal dryness and pH changes apparently lead to better environment for faecal bacteria which can then lead to cystitis so I'm living in permanent fear of another bout which is further affecting my sex life and I can't do anything more about it.
Suffice it to say I'm not having a great time this weekend.
--- End quote ---
Hello Laura and welcome. It sounds to me like you have vaginal atrophy and you need localised oestrogen. This will help with the UTI type symptoms. I understand your fear of cystitis, I too had it constantly in my 20s. You are not alone having such symptoms at your age. I started HRT at 38.
It is so silly you can easily have the coil for contreception but not HRT.
You will find it helpful to get some vaginal moisturiser. Yes and Sylk are gentle.
If you have to wait for the coil perhaps you can ask for an appointment for a different HRT.
I understand how overwhelming this is but you will find lots of support on here.
CLKD:
Get some suitable vaginal atrophy treatment, you don't need an examination - it should be enough to tell your GP/Nurse Practitioner for 'vagifem' and/or 'ovestin'. The idea being to use it every night for 2-3 weeks following an as necessary regime: some require nightly, others can use every 3rd and 6th night ...... let us know how you get on.
LauraInScotland:
Thank you. It's so good to have such a quick response and advice. I'll look into the products you've mentioned. Its so difficult trying to figure it out on your own! My mum had completely different symptoms and has had different issues of her own and my friends, all well into their 40s, aren't experiencing anything yet!
To be clear, the coil is to manage the periods (I always had horrendous periods and PMT which is a family thing) separate to the need for HRT but to help manage the potential for unpredictable PMT.
Really appreciate such a quick response, thank you!
Flossieteacake:
--- Quote from: LauraInScotland on January 28, 2023, 07:50:31 PM ---Thank you. It's so good to have such a quick response and advice. I'll look into the products you've mentioned. Its so difficult trying to figure it out on your own! My mum had completely different symptoms and has had different issues of her own and my friends, all well into their 40s, aren't experiencing anything yet!
To be clear, the coil is to manage the periods (I always had horrendous periods and PMT which is a family thing) separate to the need for HRT but to help manage the potential for unpredictable PMT.
Really appreciate such a quick response, thank you!
--- End quote ---
I do not know anybody going through this either. That is why this forum is so helpful.
Ah so the coil is to help with heavy periods. I really hope they do that for you. I cannot understand why it seems so difficult for them. Destrogestal is a progesterone pill that can help periods to be lighter but for the progesterone part of HRT two pills a day are needed
SuzyBart:
Evening all, first time poster here 👋
I've been prescribed Ovestin by my GP for dryness as sex has become almost impossible (even with using Yes). I'm really nervous about trying it as I've reacted badly to the combined pill in the past and I'm worried about side effects. Any tips for a first time user, perhaps starting on a reduced dose or something? I don't want this to be the end of my sex life, but then I hear about people getting DVT / headaches etc and it makes me worried to get started. Any pointers would be really appreciated
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version