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[Rubyjo]

Hi Daisydot

I have found it now thanks.

Rubyjo

[Rubyjo]

Hi
Does anyone follow a spefic diet to try to increase Estrogen levels please?

Thanks

Rubyjo

[Dancinggirl]

It is thought that increasing phytoestrogens can help meno symptoms but this will vary from women to women.

I am 62 and stopped HRT 2 years ago.  In the past I have tried all kinds of remedies and alternative methods for helping meno symptoms but I never found anything truly helped.  The problem is we are all different and there is no true way of knowing what is helping or not without proper controlled trials.
I do take Red Clover and have soya milk with my breakfast cereal and I believe these are helping to reduce my flushes.  When I ran out of Red Clover, I did find the flushes got a bit worse again!!!!! They are expensive and I've needed the high dose for it to have any benefits.  I originally started the Red Clover as there is some evidence that it helps the heart and can help the bone density. Of course there could be a placebo effect and it could simply be that my flushes are now finally subsiding a bit!!!  I took a break from HRT for 3 years in my early 50s and the flushes did not subside at all but life at that time was far more stressful - I have now a much less stressful life and I am able to look after my health much better and relax far more these days - I have tailored my life to cope with what's happening to my body.
If you are below 60, then HRT is still the best way to get the oestrogen you need.  DG x

[Daisydot]

Thanks Rubyjo and good luck, slap it all over lol xx

[Rubyjo]

Thanks Dancing girl and Daisydot

[Rubyjo]

Hi everyone

I feel like I'm living my life on here at the moment and really appreciate your support. I just wanted your opinions on something. As all my itching it external and maily around my vulva do you think there is a possibility I could have lichen sclerosus as this is also linked to thyroid disease? Does anyone know anything about this?

The coconut oil is helping a little, thanks Daisydot.

Rubyjo

[Dancinggirl]

Ruby - have the doctors actually examined you? Do you have white patches? It is more common in post menopause I believe and you could be in the early stage of this skin problem, so it's best to pop to your doctor to have things checked. DG x

[Rubyjo]

Hi Dancinggirl
The practice nurse did a very quick examination. I wouldn't say say white patches but around my cliterous is white ish I noticed this morning and that's where the itch is worse.
I am going back to my GP this morning.

Thanks for your help.
Hope you are OK.

Rubyjo

[Daisydot]

Hi Rubyjo hows it going now did you see your gp.I hope you got some answers today.xx

[CLKD]

Get some cream down there Girl.  Or LIVE yoghurt which is cooling  .  Dryness happens as oestrogen levels drop off, inside and out: nostrils, deep in the ears, vagina, skin, between the toes, eyes ............

I use KY Jelly on the outer areas or vaseline.  The idea is to keep it moist so that it doesn't itch!

[Dierdre]

Hi Rubyjo, I had to see a vulva specialist a few months ago as my atrophy was not improving with local oestrogen and he thought I may have lichen sclerosus so prescribed strong steroid cream. It didn't help and I went onto full HRT which did help. I'm still not sure if I have this as it can lie dormant for months and then rear up when stressed and also is linked to lack of oestrogen anyway. The only way to be certain you have this is with a biopsy, but you could ask to try the steroid creams first to see if they work. I didn't have the itch or white patches just the soreness, dry and burning inside. I would see your doctor again and maybe ask now to be referred to see a specialist to at least rule this out.

[Rubyjo]

Hi
Thanks for your replies. My GP has referred me to a specialist as he was not 100% sure and has given me steroid cream. I have been using this for two days, no improvement yet but early days.
How long does vagifem take to work? I'm on day four of that.

Thanks Rubyjo

[Daisydot]

I felt better on the vagifem really quickly about 3-4 days I'd say but I suppose everyone varies so give it time make sure you do that 14 day load and if you don't feel better then I'd carry on with it nightly for another 14 days lots of ladies do that as you may need it if your tissues are super dry inside.I used the estriol cream in the morning on outside and the vagifem at night internally.I now use the vagifem every third night but funny enough I've got sore stinging tonite like I'm cut again but I've an idea that because I've gotten constipated again and been staring the last two days I've disturbed that area again,it just reminds us how fragile it can be I suppose,so I've taken milk of magnesia tonight and increased my water intake.im hoping it'll settle back down it's like sciatica in my vag it's horrible tonight.
Hope yours settles for you xx

[Rubyjo]

Hi Daisydot

Oh no, hope you get it under control soon.
I feel like I'm back to square one as the itching is horrendous. Been the coconut oil isn't helping at the moment, which it was. I am applying the steroid cream twice a day, also a moisturiser and using the vagifem and coconut oil!

Any advice anyone?

[Dancinggirl]

Steroid creams thin the skin so I am very sceptical about using steroids on our intimate area as it could make things worse. As others have said, steroid creams don't really help generally unless you are diagnosed with a skin condition that actually requires steroids and even then it should only be used for a short time.
I would stop this steroid till you have seen the specialist and had a proper diagnosis.
If the coconut oil helped then this is a good natural
Moisturiser. The Vagifem can take up to 3 months to really restore things and again, as others have said, sometimes systemic HRT is needed alongside the local oestrogen to really help if your problem is urogenital atrophy.
Try holding a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel onto the area to relieve the itch and burning feeling. You could also try some lidocaine cream that may reduce the inflammation and pain - I think you can buy this at the chemist  but you can get this online.
I do sympathise, any discomfort around our intimate area is very distressing. DG x.