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[KarineT]

Can you get VA if you're no longer sexually active?

[Katejo]

Can you get VA if you're no longer sexually active?

  Yes of course. It is caused by reduced oestrogen supply

[Postmeno3]

I don't know how accurate this wild guess is, but my sense is it's worse. There's that awful expression "Use it or lose it", but I have only attempted to resume intimacy lately after a very, very long lay-off and it has been excruciatingly painful. So I'm now being very pro-active to remedy the situation which, as my understanding is, takes time to get the right regime, but can ultimately pay off. I think we need to keep "down there" healthy whether sexually active or not, just to be personally comfortable and free of utis etc 

[KarineT]

But do all menopausal women get VA? I hope not.

[Dierdre]

No, not all menopausal women get VA, its caused by estrogen deficiency. I think a lot of sexually active women will definately disagree with the "use it or loose it" expression. Having sex does not cure VA, we would all being doing it as much as possible if it did.
VA is for life and should be treated the same as any other deficiency with medication and anything else we can throw at it.

[Postmeno3]

Deirdre, I was just suggesting that use it or lose it may, only may, be one theory and contributing factor of which I'm guessing there can't be evidence. I did say it was an "awful" expression. I'm sorry if I didn't express myself well. I'm really interested that a decline in oestrogen doesn't necessarily result in VA? Have I understood that correctly? That the two aren't necessarily connected?

[Dierdre]

I was agreeing with you Postmeno3 re the use it loose it thing, it is awful, sorry if you thought i meant otherwise.  Ive not been sexually active for years but I know that's not the cause. You've only got to listen to the amount of women on this forum suffering with VA and how it's now affecting their sex lives. There are also alot of women not effected  at all and they continue with no HRT and have sex well into their eighties with no problems at all! I wish I knew why, i think we would all love to know why some women need no HRT and others do.
I believe when we stop producing oestrogen from our ovaries the adrenals kick in to produce some oestrogen, maybe some kick in more than others or not at all.
Local estrogen, Vagifem and Ovestin used regularly and also YES products are very good. It takes a while but it does work, hope you find the right balance soon.
It's worked for me.

[CLKD]

Use it or lose it covers many of our bodies requirements 

4 me with an added sex life in recent years, I haven't required as much 'ovestin' as previously. I can miss a couple of weeks without problems.  It really is Trial and Error and once you find something that eases symptoms, stick with it!

[Postmeno3]

Thanks for clarifying things, Deirdre. I suppose we need to get back to Karine T to see if we can help her by understanding her concern? I hope you're able to say more KarineT as there will be bound to be others with their views, too, to help you.

[CLKD]

The answer to the question raised is 'Yes' - we have lots of threads about VA on the Forum, it's caused by a drop in oestrogen levels which may because the body to become dry: inside and out; scalp, skin, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes, vagina, anus ........  4 me it was the insteps as soon as I took off my socks at night! as well as the back of my shoulders 

Two prescribed HRTs can help VA and I believe there may be a 3rd, other areas can be treated with appropriate skin care, Anusol etc..

[Joaniepat]

The correct term for VA is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). The lower urinary tract, vagina and vulva all need oestrogen.  Just thought I'd throw that out there, as no-one else has mentioned the urinary aspect, which some find more troublesome than the vulval and vaginal. It is part and parcel of the same condition.

Returning to the original question of "can you get VA if you're no longer sexually active", yes of course, but those who are sexually active might notice it before the abstainers, because penetration will become painful. As to whether all menopausal women get VA, yes, most if not all do to some extent, although it's not so easy to record as some don't recognise it for what it is, or don't seek help for whatever reason, or think they have to shut up and put up.

JP x

[Dierdre]

Not forgetting prolapse too, that was one of my first signs of atrophy, bladder prolapse.

[Joaniepat]

Oh yes, absolutely! I should have mentioned the effect on the pelvic floor.
JP x

[Tinkerbell]

I believe that VA is vastly unreported.I have quite a healthy sex life, although teens up at all hours of the night is a bit off putting, and still need to use Vagifem daily. I have two friends, similar age to me who are not on any form of HRT but both gave up sex a few years ago but neither has said it was to do with being sore and uncomfortable.

[Postmeno3]

Just wondering what your thoughts are now, KarineT?