Print

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

[Northerngirl]

Hi ladies,  I could really do with your help/advice.  I know this is a common topic during post menopause but the dryness is driving me insane at the minute. I've suffered a long time with dry eyes,  dry scalp and vaginal dryness.  But just lately my ears and mouth are so dry. My mouth is the main shock as I seemed to have avoided this one up until now.
As you may know I stopped HRT 14 months ago and haven't been too bad really but just lately it's been horrendous.
I don't really want to go back on HRT so any advice would be appreciated...especially regarding the ears and mouth.
Any suggestions ladies?

[CLKD]

Well this is interesting.  As oestrogen levels drop we know that the body may become dry: inside and out.

I've had an irritating clearing-throat type cough for years, my GP prescribed peppermint capsules [can't remember the name  ]. Ear drops have helped that deep down: what we call 'spaniel ear' in this house 

I've had increasingly more belly boating until mid-November.  We went away so I altered my breakfast menu from muesli with milk to white toast and butter.  Within a week I noticed that the deep itchy ears had gone  .........  don't think it's a co-incidence.

My bloated belly has improved too  could I have had a lactose intolerance ?  I am not prepared to go back to muesli to find out!

[bombsh3ll]

With severe and widespread symptoms of dryness it may be worth getting a blood test to exclude sjogrens and related conditions, for which specific treatment exists.

If it is simply down to loss of ovarian hormones then this would be the obvious fix, alternatively just using drops/emollients for each separate area/orifice is all you can do.

Another thing you could consider is dhea - I take this for androgen replacement and it has really helped replenish my skin's natural oils.

It converts to both estradiol and testosterone in the body, so postmenopausal women can gain estrogenic benefits as well.

[Northerngirl]

Thank you ladies for your advice.....some things to think about.
Bombsh3ll is dhea a form of HRT? I'm trying not to go down that route again if I can help it xx

[CLKD]

I can't remember whether U R using VA treatment Northergirl?  Also a gentle scalp massage with baby oil, leave in a warm towel for 10 mins B4 rinsing may help, advised by my hairdresser several years ago.  Then she retired  .  She also told me that the hair follicle becomes slower to put out the next hair as we age and not to wash the hair too often. Avoiding the hair dryer can help, I've always used a warm towel. 

A gentle shampoo too, what's suitable for baby is suitable for me.    I swap products too.  Rinsing with warmed water is soothing.

It was my insteps when I first went into peri, I would wake with one rough heel scratching the other foot!  Also down my back would itch after my bath.  Fortunately neither symptom lasted for many months. 

[Bungo]

Maybe talk to your GP about sjorgrens syndrome  as this can cause excessive dryness

[Northerngirl]

I can't remember whether U R using VA treatment Northergirl?  Also a gentle scalp massage with baby oil, leave in a warm towel for 10 mins B4 rinsing may help, advised by my hairdresser several years ago.  Then she retired  .  She also told me that the hair follicle becomes slower to put out the next hair as we age and not to wash the hair too often. Avoiding the hair dryer can help, I've always used a warm towel. 

A gentle shampoo too, what's suitable for baby is suitable for me.    I swap products too.  Rinsing with warmed water is soothing.

It was my insteps when I first went into peri, I would wake with one rough heel scratching the other foot!  Also down my back would itch after my bath.  Fortunately neither symptom lasted for many months.

Thanks CLKD some interesting points there....I've tried so many shampoos etc but never tried baby oil as you've suggested, might try that one. I don't use a hairdryer anymore but do wash my hair daily with sulphate free shampoos only.

I was prescribed ovestin over a year ago....I'd just started to use it and then I had all that mither with thickened womb lining etc so stopped using everything and never used it again. This menopause journey is a nightmare 🤦‍♀️

[Northerngirl]

Maybe talk to your GP about sjorgrens syndrome  as this can cause excessive dryness

Thanks Bungo....interesting that has been mentioned twice already. I put it down to menopause along with all the other many symptoms...but who knows 🤷‍♀️

[bombsh3ll]

DHEA is a prohormone, meaning it converts into active hormones in the body.

It is not classified as hormone therapy and is available without a prescription.

However it does increase the concentrations of active hormones estrogen and testosterone so if that would be problematic then it may not be for you.

I personally use it alongside oral estradiol (Zoely) to increase my testosterone levels which it has done nicely (clinical response and blood levels) however many people take DHEA alone.

[CLKD]

There mayB - as there is in toothpaste - SLS - which might be drying.  [sodium laurel sulphate].  It's the frothing agent.  Used in toothpaste it makes my mouth burn with certain food stuffs: chocolate  , bananas, butter ..........

[Northerngirl]

DHEA is a prohormone, meaning it converts into active hormones in the body.

It is not classified as hormone therapy and is available without a prescription.

However it does increase the concentrations of active hormones estrogen and testosterone so if that would be problematic then it may not be for you.

I personally use it alongside oral estradiol (Zoely) to increase my testosterone levels which it has done nicely (clinical response and blood levels) however many people take DHEA alone.

Thanks for the information bombsh3ll.
I've googled sjorgrens syndrome and I don't think that I have many of those symptoms...obviously I'll keep it in mind . Thanks for the advice ladies x

[Northerngirl]

There mayB - as there is in toothpaste - SLS - which might be drying.  [sodium laurel sulphate].  It's the frothing agent.  Used in toothpaste it makes my mouth burn with certain food stuffs: chocolate  , bananas, butter ..........

Flippen heck I wish I was a teenager again....didn't even have a period pain.
My friends nanna used to say I'd suffer when I got older.....don't know how she knew but she was definitely correct 😂
The menopause nightmare continues!!!!

[CLKD]

My periods were horrendous  .  10 days on, 10 off: excruciating pains, huge clots on movement, had to sleep on double bath towels with 2 pads and thick knickers.  Even when taking The Pill  .  Nausea ...... intense thirst.

DH uses Nivea on his legs, ears and my ears.  I find 'vaseline' in the yellow bottle really soothing on legs ....... knees, elbows. 

How often do you get your eyes tested?  The Pharmacist may B able to recommend suitable eye drops. 

[Northerngirl]

My periods were horrendous  .  10 days on, 10 off: excruciating pains, huge clots on movement, had to sleep on double bath towels with 2 pads and thick knickers.  Even when taking The Pill  .  Nausea ...... intense thirst.

DH uses Nivea on his legs, ears and my ears.  I find 'vaseline' in the yellow bottle really soothing on legs ....... knees, elbows. 

How often do you get your eyes tested?  The Pharmacist may B able to recommend suitable eye drops.

I have my eyes tested every 2 years as required. I use hycosan extra eye drops and the night gel ...they're really good.  Apparently once you have dry eyes it's permanent,  you can treat it but it never goes away.
I too use Nivea and Aveeno 

[CLKD]

I use aveeno shampoo

My dog had dry eyes: common in Cockers, Westies - it has a long medical name  which the Vets ran over their tongues without any problem at all.  I treated the eyes with an expensive ointment which lasted about 4 weeks.  Without applications her eyes may have dried up completely due to no tears .....