Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[lisa06031510]

Hi ya,
So I'm now 2 years and 5 months into being on HRT since having a full hysterectomy at 36 and I finally feel like I am on the correct HRT now and not had a mental breakdown since August last year, feeling positive that things will be ok... However, what the heck is up with my vagina.... Its like it's been deflated.... Like the air had been let out of it... And sooo dry.. I've used stuff for the dryness but I just end up with thrush... Is there anything that can help bring it back to life???
Also, where do we stand on breast pain?? Every couple of weeks o get bad pains in them and today my left breast feels like its going to expload... But when I Google it just says pain is normal at first but I've been on HRT since January 2020 and this dose since August last year!?

[CLKD]

Morning.  How were your breasts during your menstruating years?  If you have your ovaries, your pain may be cyclical. 

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use. 

As for the vagina, what have you been using?   'ovestin' or 'vagifem' are the usual prescriptions.  Some require 'yes' or 'sylc' products as well: I slar a little 'ovestin' on the outer lips to keep the tissues moist and supple. 

   browse round.  Make notes.

[Amazing grace]

Hi, I too have had a hysterectomy at 43 retaining ovaries, been on hrt almost 5 years, I get the on off breast pain and they are much bigger than before, I've seen my gp and she says it's normal just hormones nothing found on examination, I get you with the changes to the vagina, I thought what the hell is this, naively thought I'd be OK being on systemic hrt, but I have had to use vaginal estrogen, tryed vagifem but didn't agree, now use ovestin took a while to get used to due to side effects, but OK now, it hasn't plumped up the outside that much, even though I use it external and internal, I guess it's just changes that come with menopause, I've read lots of posts on here mostly older posts there was an excellent one by a lady called suziq but don't think she's on here now describing shrinking of the external genitals, I don't have that but definitely like the air has been let out, I didn't want it to get to that stage, don't think vaginal estrogen will restore our vaginas and vulva to how they once were but will definitely help dryness, bladder issues and halt any shrinking from progressing, I'd ask your gp for vagifem, ovestin or estring, vaginal moisturiser is helpful used along side vaginal estrogen but alone it did nothing for me I also got thrush from certain moisturisers, I know how shocking these changes are when we first see it, but you can definitely prevent it getting worse by using any of the above, x

[lisa06031510]

I had my Ovaries removed.. it was a full hysterectomy.

The product I used for dryness begins with an R.. Repelens I think...

It's just a shock at how non existent my lips are... Just wondered if that's what it's going to be like forever or do they come back?

My breasts are huge now and look fake lol.. before HRT I had what I called mummy boobs...they were so saggy but not anymore

[Taz2]

Hi Lisa. It sounds as if you need to add a topical oestrogen such as vagifem in order to plump things up. Even after menopause our ovaries continue to secrete hormone and as you no longer have yours it may be that you do need extra oestrogen to improve the vaginal tissues. Lots of us on here (me included) use both full HRT and topical oestrogen.

It's great that your HRT suits you and is controlling symptoms. Which one are you on?

Taz x 

[Amazing grace]

I used replens at first and it caused an awful thick white discharge, it's very common using that particular one, definitely ask for vaginal estrogen off your gp, I use yes vm now, recommended by my gp, doesn't cause that awful white discharge, x

[lisa06031510]

I am on Edtrodot 100mg and it's Def the best thing for me..

How do I get this other hormone .. Wil I need to go to my Dr?? When I spoke to pharmacy they recommended the Repelens but it's just not for me.

Also....it is still normal to have menopause symptoms when on HRT? As a friend of mine said that a mutual friend is on HRT so she can't use menopause as an excuse for mood swings... But surely it doesn't solve out problems just helps??

[Amazing grace]

Ask gp for  any of the following vagifem is a pessary , ovestin is a cream with an applicator estring is a silicone ring inserted into vagina all are a vaginal estrogen, and different ones suit different women only on prescription, so you will have to ask your doctor, yes vm is moisturiser you can buy online, replens definitely isn't great because of the discharge it causes, I don't think hrt stops all menopause symptoms I still get lots of them, so your friend isn't right that you can't still get symptoms on hrt, I've found hrt good for helping but definitely isn't a cure all, I wish it was x

[CLKD]

Moistorisers help the outer vaginal area but won't help replace oestrogen lost due to peri-menopause or surgical intervention.  The idea being is to replace as much oestrogen as possible by inserting appropriate treatment for 2-3 weeks every night; then as necessary: usually every 3rd and every 5/6th nights.  Some require treatment nightly.  A Trial and Error!

Replens is a no-no 4 many ladies   .......  even though some GPs still recommend it.  The Pharmacy should know better!  One needs to speak to your GP/Nurse Practitioner for VA treatment, you don't require an exam or blood test.  The sooner the better.  4 me it felt like razor blades  up there and after urine tests came back negative, my GP didn't hesitate to give me the prescription.

It may sting initially if the inner area is dry.  Inserting as deep as is comfy is the way to begin, it really will help the whole vaginal area.  Let us know how you get on?

Mood Swings can be problematic until the body adjusts to treatment.  That's where keeping a diary may help.

[lisa06031510]

Thank you so much for your replies... I would really be screwed with out this group... I am going to contact my GP regarding my vagina issues.

After the op and even when I was having breakdowns my sex drive remained high... But the last 3 months it's completely gone... Like nothing at all.. it just feels dead down there no twinges or nothing... I've had a very high sex drive for as long as I remember so this is so odd. I am single so not the biggest deal on the world but it just feels odd for me... Has anyone else experienced this after being on HRT for this long?

[Amazing grace]

I've never had any problems with sex drive, but a friend of mine who also had a hysterectomy with ovaries removed did, she was given testosterone for low libido, alot of ladies on here use it but have to see a specialist to get it, however my friend did not she got it from her gp due to the fact she had no ovaries, I think the needs of a woman with no ovaries is very different to a woman who still has them, if you haven't already have a look at the hystersisters website it is based in the USA but it's really good, it's specifically for ladies who have had hysterectomy, I found it a life saver after my hysterectomy x

[lisa06031510]

Oh brilliant I will give that a read... I was just confused by it as happened 2 years after op... And I've had the highest sex drive of anyone I've ever known so its come as a shock to me... But I guess if I don't want sex at the mo then there is no mam drama in my life.... Every cloud and all that lol

[lisa06031510]

UPDATE: I have spoken to my Dr and they even said he wouldn't of suggested Repelens 🙈 so has perscribed me something called Silk?? I will go collect it once the Pharmacy opens after bank holiday

He was baffled by the deflated vaginal lips though and has said he is going to contact an HRT/menopause specialist for advice as it may be a good idea to change my HRT.... But because of my age his unsure ( I get this said to me alot, about my age)

I would be petrified changing my HRT though as since being on this one on August my mental issues have got so much better

[joziel]

I don't want to disappoint you but Sylk is really just a lubricant, best used during sex. It's very natural but it is not estrogen. It is also non-prescription so you can buy it online or anywhere without your doctor's help. I'd be a bit miffed with that response to be honest.

You need to specifically request Vagifem pessaries (internal) and Ovestin or Estriol cream (external). These are all local estrogen and you can use them all together, as much as you like or need to achieve comfort. It is such a low dose estrogen that it isn't going to affect anything else and you can experiment to find the amount that works for you.

The pessaries are very easy to use, come in an applicator like a tampon (a very thin applicator!) and you use them every day for the first 2 weeks (a loading dose) and then twice a week usually after that - although you can use them more often, if you need to. The Ovestin cream, you just apply externally (if using Vagifem internally) whenever you need. I use it twice a week. It is very concentrated so you just need a little bit of that one and some women like to mix it with another non-hormonal moisturiser (like the one below) to ensure it gets everywhere(!). Estriol is similar to Ovestin but it is less concentrated so you will use more of it.

Lastly, I'd recommend the YES OB cream you can get without prescription (no hormones in that) to use externally in between using Ovestin. It is organic and has no nasty ingredients. Stay away from Replens - it has a lot of ingredients I wouldn't put on my skin, let alone up my vagina(!).

All these topical things you put on your vagina are very local doses of estrogen, tiny tiny amounts and they don't enter your blood stream or affect you in any other way so it is perfectly safe to use them liberally and however you need. They are even going to enable people to get them over the counter soon, at pharmacies, they are so safe...

Almost all women get vaginal atrophy post-menopause if they are not on any estrogen - and it can cause all kinds of issues from discomfort to urinary incontinence and pelvic floor issues, to thrush, and just a lot of pain and discomfort. Your doctor is crazy if he isn't leaping to give you local estrogen and saying he has to consult someone about this - and you might want to consider seeing someone more knowledgeable....  20% of women on systemic HRT also need to take local estrogen for vaginal dryness.

Lastly, for the libido - testosterone is what you would need to fix that. I use Testogel. If your doctor can't even give you local estrogen, I doubt he's going to want to prescribe you testosterone so you are probably going to need an appointment privately with a menopause clinic to request it.

[lisa06031510]

It's such a shame drs are not this clued up....this is why I love this group... The Dr will be calling me next week to discuss my HRT so will talk to them and ask them for the things you suggested.

I think I'm just going to enjoy the loss of my sex drive for now and worry about that If or When I feel ready to meet someone