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[CLKD]

Morning Haydo - breast disease is no longer relevant unless affected yourself and that will depend on which treatment was required.  You are certainly NOT too old to try appropriate H replacement T as there are many ways of delivering relief.   Quality of Life is far more important than 'what ifs'?

Gynaecologists rarely know 'enough' about menopause  but a dedicated appt at a menopause clinic might be the way to go?  Have U read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads on the Forum, make notes ;-). It can be Trial and Error!

[Haydo]

Yes, the dermovate has helped to a certain extent.  I was prescribed it initially as I was so red raw and was told to apply it daily for 2 weeks, every other day for 2 weeks, then twice weekly and aim to stop it.  After that ok to use occasionally but one of the risks is that the skin will become thin and irritable, which rather defeats the object I think, so I try to avoid using it unless absolutely necessary.  The gynaecologist I saw said the same. 

I am waiting to see a vulvar dermatologist at a specialist clinic to see if she has any other suggestions before I go down any other route, although maybe it could be vulvodynia, who knows!  I do have a prolapse which doesn’t help issues.   I have spent so much time researching and realise how ignorant I was before this all reared it’s head. I’ve also read loads of threads on here which have been really helpful.   I thought I had got through the menopause without too many issues, little did I know!

Having read through a lot of posts I realise there is one moisturiser I’ve not tried so I’ve sent off for some Olive and Bee to see if that helps, as I could use that internally too.  Worth a try anyway.    As Katty said, I’ve spent more on lotions and potions this past year for in and around my vaginal area than I have on lotions and potions for my face!

[CLKD]

The skin may already be thin, due to lack of oestrogen which can cause ithchyness ........... which is where 'ovestin' helped my vaginal area, it was like razor blades  up there 4 me.  If U find a preparation which eases symptoms, plus pain relief if necessary, stick with it.  Let us know how you get on with Olive and Bee!

[Haydo]

At its worst I could hardly walk and couldn’t drive the car, so I know where you are coming from CLKD.  The vagifem has helped internally and I have recently been prescribed ovestin by the gynaecologist I saw, which I am using a pea sized amount every other day externally and around the vaginal entrance, and hopefully that will help in time.  At least I haven’t reacted to it, which is something. 

Concerning the HRT I have been told absolutely not in view of my sister’s history.    I would prefer anyway to explore all the other avenues before I consider that if I’m honest. 

[Postmeno3]

Louise Newson recommends "Cetraben"? Not sure if you've already listed that! 😊

[Haydo]

Thank you.  I haven’t listed everything, it would take up too much space - ha ha!   Yes, I’ve tried cetraben, ended up using it up on my legs!  I hasten to add I haven’t used all these things together, have tried one thing at a time and then let things calm down before trying something else.   My skin is very sensitive all over, which obviously extends to my vaginal area too. 

[Haydo]

I’ve realised that I seem to have taken over Lamplighter’s original post so apologies for that.

[Postmeno3]

Are you using the body wash version of the emollients rather than the creams and ointments? I don't get on with the texture of the waxier forms.

[Lamplighter]

Haydo, no worries about the thread, it's all useful.

Like you, the one thing I haven't tried is the Olive and Bee stuff - and like you I have my own little pharmacy of (now expensive!) products - one cream for the face and a zillion for the vulval area.  Oh joy.

Would you let us know how you find the Olive and Bee as if it has a chance of working I'll be investing in it too, and never mind the expense 

Fingers crossed for you with the vulvar dermatologist - let us know how that goes too?

xxxxx

[Haydo]

Hi Postmeno - I am just using the hydromol ointment, which is what seems to work for me.  I just mix it with water in my hands for showering over my body and then just plaster it on as it is on my vaginal area as and when needed.

Hi Lamplighter - the Olive and Bee is supposed to be arriving on Weds/Thursday so I’ll try it and let you know after a few days.  There must be so many of us who have our own pharmacies, shame we can’t all swap around!

I’ve no idea how long I’ll have to wait to see the dermatologist, if it’s too long I may investigate going privately, but I was told by the hospital that this is a specialist clinic set up in my local hospital in November last year specifically for these sort of issues.  They have found there are lots of women dealing with more than one thing in this area, so there is access to more than one type of specialist once you are in the system.  The fact that I have a prolapse as well means that I am an ‘ideal’ candidate for the clinic evidently!  For this reason I am prepared to wait unless things get more than I can cope with.

[CLKD]

That sounds positive Haydo !  Let us know how you get on.  MayB point them to the 'Me and My Menopausal Vagina' book too ;-) (Amazon)

[Lamplighter]

Thanks Haydo - here's hoping the wait to see the dermatologist isn't too long.  xxxxx

[Whatsupwiththis]

Hi ladies.  Haven't posted in awhile but this post caught my attention.  I too went through horrific vulva burning and stinging to such an extent suicide was becoming a viable option.  Fortunately I had a wonderful GP who insisted I keep on with Vagifem internally and estrogen cream externally daily for several months.  She also prescribed amitriptyline (sp) for a short period of time to deal with the vulva nerves until I was sufficiently plumped up.  The burning and stinging is probably caused from your nerve endings being woken up after being estrogen deficient.  It took me close to a year before I was able to comfortably go about my day .  Sitting is still an issue (have been on Vagifem and cream for 2 years now) but much better by far.  Hang in there.  It will get much better I promise.

[Whatsupwiththis]

I should add, like many of us, I am on Vagifem 5x a week along with estrogen cream and will be for life.   

[Lyncola]

Hi Haydo,

Have you thought about using both Vagifem and Ovestin internally? It was a game changer for me.
My current routine is
Night 1- Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally
Night 2- Ovestin internally and externally
Night 3- Vagifem internally and Ovestin externally
Night 4- rest

I use Yes VM in the morning and afternoon, and Olive and Bee at night just before Vagifem and Ovestin.
I also use Olive and Bee on my ass, as I have a fissure and bleeding problems from there, but not since I use Olive and Bee.

I hope this helps you, and it does take I was about a year and half before I’ll got into a routine that works for me