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[westie]

Hi Ladies

I haven't posted for some time due to family issues consuming much of my time so little time for anything else.

Just wanted some reassurance re vaginal discharge . Am 54 , 5 years post meno and just about coping without HRT although hot flushes and mood swings are very challenging at times.

Have been struggling a bit with VA for last few years and have been using estrogel to help but I ran out a few months ago and thought I'd see how I coped without. I have been using Yes Vaginal moisturiser on and off and so far it has been helpful. Last few weeks though I have started getting excessive watery yellowish discharge most days. No irritation anywhere just this discharge which is becoming a bit disconcerting. I will make an appointment at the doctors but as this is unlikely to be until next week I was just hoping someone could shed some light on it for me and to stop my health anxiety going into overdrive (Another horrible symptom of this time of life!)

Thank you in advance.

W xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi westie

Firstly, you said you were using Oestrogel?  Have you had a hysterectomy or do you mean this was a local vaginal oestrogen e.g. Ovestin or Gynest? Oestrogel is a systemic oestrogen you apply to your thighs and is usually used with some progesterone, unless you have had a hysterectomy.

It sounds to me as though you have a bit of bacterial vaginitis which is very common especially after menopause.  Everything dries out and we are therefore more prone to infection.  You do need to use some local oestrogen regularly (Vagifem is best) and the moisturiser daily (not both at the same time) to maintain and healthy vaginal flora to help reduce the chance of BV etc taking hold.  It's also worth buying some Multi Gyn Actigel which will treat and prevent infections really well - you can buy this online.  I'd get this a.s.a.p. as it will for things quite quickly - it sting s bits at first but is then soothing. 
I'd ask the GP for some Vagifem and use this regularly for the rest of you life .  DG x

[westie]

He Dancinggirl and thank you for your reply.

Sorry I meant to say Estriol cream not eastrogel! No I haven't had a hysterectomy.

I get in such a panic these days about the slightest thing health wise , I know from reading other posts that I am not alone which is comforting. This is the first place I come to with anything that is worrying me everyone here is so much more helpful than my GP.

I will get some acti-gel and see what doctor says next week. Seems to be a lot better this morning but best to get it checked I guess.

Thanks again for your response much appreciated.

W xx

[Dancinggirl]

westie - managing urogenital atrophy is an ongoing issue.  Remember to not use any scented soaps around the ‘lady bits'.  Do clean really well after opening your bowels to prevent bacteria travelling to the vaginal area.  Don't stop using the oestrogen cream as this needs to be used for rest of your life, at least twice a week.   The Multi Gyn Actigel (you buy this online) is great when discharge, itching or soreness appears - just use it 3 times a day for 2-3 days and maybe once a week after that to maintain the right flora balance. Let us know how you get on.  DG x

[Machair]

I used this Actigel last year when I had similar symptoms of yellowish watery discharge but it was so painful it caused stinging all night. Do you think that was because the PH in my vagina was far too alkaline? I did persevere but eventually stopped due to the stinging which was getting less over time and was given antibiotics. It then cleared up but I have had it on and off a few times since, but am nervous to use the product as the stinging was absolute agony. Does this improve and does the stinging mean you have a problem in itself with the ph?

I am not quite post menopausal yet and still have times when my oestrogen is high so no dryness noticed yet.x

[Machair]

Westie I am so sorry you have this to deal with as it is a nuisance and a worry, but I am sure it will be sorted soon.You helped me a lot when my periods started going wonky a few years ago, so it is so lovely to hear from you again.xx

[Js]

I have been on hrt for 10 years and didn't have any discharge but when I came off hrt  I started getting yellowy green discharge I went to the meno nurse she took a swab in case but I don't have an infection I said could it be I've come of hrt she didn't seem to think so but it was bad enough to put a liner on the discharge was not itchy and there was no odour but because of the hot sweats that were keeping me awake at night and so after 5 months I decided to back on hrt and the discharge has gone again so I do think it's to do with the oestrogen levels so if the creams and gels are working then stick with it ladies
Js

[Machair]

I think it would be wonderful if ladies not on HRT of any kind could comment on whether they have this sort of discharge so that others could see they were not alone. I remember reading a leaflet by Annie Evans the well respected female womens health expert on post menopause that said
"Alteration in the normal vaginal discharge is something noticed by most women after the menopause
and also rarely discussed. Without oestrogen the pH(acidity) of the vaginal secretions changes and the normal
discharge becomes more alkaline (like caustic soda). This pH affects the balance of the micro-organisms in the
natural secretions which in turn suppresses the normal levels of “good” bacteria (lactobacillus). The discharge changes in nature, becoming watery, discoloured and slightly smelly. This often leads to vaginal burning and vulval irritation."
Now when I had it it wasn't sore or smelly just watery and yellow as you describe, so I wonder is that what becomes the new normal? - maybe we might find it is to some degree. I think VA is often not always dryness there is often a discharge associated with it.

[westie]

Thank you so much ladies for your replies I really appreciate it and for your kind words Machair. The info from Annie Evans is very interesting and yes it would be good to hear from other 'non HRT' ladies as to what their experiences are.

Have just got home from late shift at work-had to send my husband to get the Multi Gyn Actigel for me so I can use it tonight. Had to send him a picture so he could ask for it think he found the whole experience mildly embarrassing bless him!

I'll use this for next few days and then start a reload of the estriol cream. Then I'll make sure I use that at least twice a week and the multi Gyn once and see how I get on.

Thanks once again, this site is a life saver.

W xx

[Machair]

How did you get on Westie did you use the Actigel and did you find that it caused stinging at all?
Hopefully what you are doing will correct things and if not you can always see the GP.
I would love to know what women have as normal discharge after menopause, as there is a belief that dryness is an issue which tends to suggest that you have nothing, but I am not sure this is not true in atrophy as often there is a milky/yellowish discharge. A friend of mine had brown discharge that was yellow initially but turned brown as it dried and she has just been diagnosed with atrophy.

[Dancinggirl]

westie - was your husband able to buy the Multi Gyn Actigel at the local chemist???!!! - it's rarely at any chemist near me so I buy it online. Hope it's helping.

Machair - Multi Gyn does sting if your intimate area is atrophied, dry and sore anyway. It is meant to be acidic to help ge the flora balance back to normal, it's not meant for daily use all the time.  I find if I use it too often it will sting more - I just use it when needed.

I think it is normal to get strange discharge when meno hits - everything dries out, the skin thins so naturally everything is out of balance. It's a matter of managing it.
BTW. I'm not on systemic HRT - I just use Vagifem with vaginal moisturiser and occasional Multi Gyn Actigel. I do find I need to avoid acidic drinks though but I drink plenty of water - if I don't drink enough water then I start to burn.   DG x

[Machair]

Do you find the stinging is absolute agony?- only when I used it it went on all night! I did persevere although the anticipation of using it was dreadful! I found it actually was slightly less painful each time, so I expect it did the job. However I am dreading needing it again in the future as it was so painful.

[westie]

Hello ladies

My husband had to go to the large Boots store near us to get the Acti-gel he said he just went to the pharmacy area and showed the girl the link I had sent him and she got it for him . Bless him he would do anything to help but I think he found the whole thing an embarrassing ordeal!

Machair yes I used it before I went to bed last night. It didn't sting at all I'm very pleased to say. I think it must be doing something because I do feel a lot more comfortable down there today and the discharge seems to have abated for the time being at least.

Dancing girl -should I use it again tonight? Am wondering if I need a few daily doses to get on top of things before I start the reload of the estriol cream. Am relieved to hear you have similar experience while not taking systemic HRT. Am sure there must be more ladies like us out there.

W xxx

[Dancinggirl]

Machair - if you make sure you use local oestrogen and vaginal moisturisers regularly, you may find you rarely need to use Multi Gyn. It shouldn't sting that much - I expect your vulva area is really badly atrophied but as the oestrogen does it's job and restores things a bit maybe it won't sting so much.

westie - I would use the Multi Gyn morning and evening for 2-3 days to really get the flora balance back adn then start the oesgsroge cream. Do the full daily 2 week reload and then keep doing the 2 doses per week after that - FOR EVER!!! Are things feeling better?  I usually just put a good dollop on the end of my finger and push it up inside and around the external area.  The extended nozzle is good to use, as it gets the gel up higher. For my weekly dose of Multi Gyn, I use very little but it does help to maintain things generally.

I think these problems are pretty common - it's just women are embarrassed to talk to their GPs about it adn GPs are not good at treating this!!  I would like to see posters and leaflets about VA in every surgery.

[CLKD]

Good idea DG!  Maybe design some ......... or suggest it to Emma?

I have found that LIVE yoghurt, eaten and applied useful too.  It is soothing, cleanses the gut from top to bottom - remember though to keep the two pots separate