There is a great book recommended to me by a good GP I used to see ‘Mindfulness' and it's by 2 doctors, I think one is called Mark Williams.
The are also some Mindfulness sessions on YouTube - it tends to be about finding a method that works for you but the book is a great starting point.
A sexual health doctor is ok but in my experience won't necessarily understand about the complexities of urogenital atrophy in menopause as this is quite specialised. The skin thins, the flora balance in the vagina becomes more prone to infection and I find the thrush treatments can often cause more discomfort in the long run as they irritate the already delicate skin in that area. This is why I use the Multi Gyn as a preventative and early treatment - it stops the thrush in its tracks. I've recommended it to so many women in this forum and many have reported that it really helps. Just remember it will burn initially when first applied. The Vagifem will plump up the skin making it more resilient and the oestrogen will also stimulate the vaginal area to produce some more natural secretions - although this won't be at the level it used to be when in our reproductive years. The current vaginal Moisturisers (there are only 2-3 that were deemed truly suitable when tested) can and do make a big difference as well. Many moisturisers coming on the market now, and even the oestrogen creams, have fillers that easily irritate the delicate skin.
Coconut oil can be good but I find it a bit greasy - so use sparingly. Vasoline will also be ok but it's a bit thick.
When you next see this doctor, see if you can get the Vagifem (make sure she writes to your GP to have this put in you regular prescription list) and you may even get SYLK in prescription. SYLK, the YES products and Replens are the 3 types of moisturiser that are generally prescribed on the NHS but I suspect they will remove these soon as they will be deemed something patients can buy for themselves online. What you need it to restore the whole area to a more healthy environment and this can take 3-6 months.
This problem is probably very widespread but women either believe this is something they have to put up with or they are too embarrassed to see their doctor about it. This forum
Is trying to change this.
I am lucky, after years if problems I moved to the seaside and my local
Practise had a practise nurse who immediately told me , very firmly, that I needed Vagifem. I have subsequently heard from other ladies that she has told them the same thing!! She is helping so many women in this area and probably helping to prevent the awful bladder problems, due urogenital atrophy, that many women suffer from as they age - as Vagifem will help the bladder as well. Vagifem should be offered for all women once menopause hits.
Keep us posted. DG x
