After a hysterectomy and removal of ovaries I was thrown head first into the menopause at 47, up to then had no symptoms. Doctors put me onto HRT and after a couple of months I decided the risk was far too much, which consequently I know now was the right decision after my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyway I digress, I was in a new relationship with a younger man, and about 4 years into the menopause I started to get water infections, thrush, vaginal dryness and sex became painful, yes I agree about the sand paper!, but it got worse and it was agony at times, and always an infection after. I have a wonderful female doctor, who is my age, (55 now) who understood and put me onto Estriol cream, but explained still some risks with that, but much less. After using this cream now for over 3 years, I have managed to reduce the dosage to once a week, and half the dose, but use petroleum jelly for hanky panky lol. This seems to work, occasionally I forget to use the cream, last time I forgot for a few weeks and ended up with cystitus again. I always remember my mother telling me that after a hysterectomy she could not bear sex any more, it was painful and she kept getting cystitus, obviously she was suffering the same as me, but her gp did not give the advice I got, or maybe it just was not known then. Mum was convinced they had sewn her up too tight, poor dads sex life ended for good.
For those wondering if the cream will work, well it has for me, I have never encountered any pain, discomfort etc, but have noticed a few red tiny spots appearing, so am going to go see my lovely gp and see if I should come off it, and try something else now.
As for the hot flushes, I found that all the natural remedies didnt work for me, tried all sorts, until I was told about Soya Isoflavones, 500mg, Holland and Barrett in UK sell them, and they work for me, tried stopping them to see if it was all over, they came back with a vengence after a month, those night sweats are the worst!!!! Interesting if I eat salted peanuts I have night sweats???
Lastly how long does it last? My nana died aged 72 and was still having hot flushes - arghhhhhhh!!!!!!!
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Topic: Tell us how you cope with vaginal dryness (Read 863441 times)