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[Jules]

I've started with vulval itching in the night just on one side. I'm really disappointed as it's 2 years since I had this symptom. Vagifem and estriol cream have kept me comfortable. I am very stressed though at present, I have a lot going on, so could this be the cause or is it just me aging and the condition progressing? I'm always surprised when I read people on here saying they've treated their VA or vulval atrophy and no longer need treatment. I use vagifem alternate nights, I've no discomfort inside, and estriol cream with Yes moisturizer twice a day.i don't want to have to use the steroids cream if I can help it

[Ayesha]

I don't recall seeing any posts about no longer needing treatment, that's not possible for this condition, its for life. You stop the treatment and the symptoms will return.
I have said I am symptom free on my daily regime, that is until the next flare up. When that happens I increase my dose until I am symptom free again.

Just a thought, are you referring to the women who take high doses of systemic HRT and no longer need topical treatment?

It doesn't take much to cause a flare and stress will certainly be a trigger, unless perhaps you have another condition like thrush occurring.

[sheila99]

If it's my post you're referring to the only reason I no longer need topical oestrogen is because I now have sufficient systemic oestrogen. Once your own production of oestrogen has fallen low enough to get va you will never be cured, all you can do is to add enough oestrogen to keep the symptoms under control whether thats local, systemic or both.

[Jules]

If it's my post you're referring to the only reason I no longer need topical oestrogen is because I now have sufficient systemic oestrogen. Once your own production of oestrogen has fallen low enough to get va you will never be cured, all you can do is to add enough oestrogen to keep the symptoms under control whether thats local, systemic or both.

Yes I saw that, but I have seen it said before on here that someone no longer needs the localised estrogen.

[Jules]

I don't recall seeing any posts about no longer needing treatment, that's not possible for this condition, its for life. You stop the treatment and the symptoms will return.
I have said I am symptom free on my daily regime, that is until the next flare up. When that happens I increase my dose until I am symptom free again.

Just a thought, are you referring to the women who take high doses of systemic HRT and no longer need topical treatment?

It doesn't take much to cause a flare and stress will certainly be a trigger, unless perhaps you have another condition like thrush occurring.

I don't have thrush. I think it must be stress. I've used estriol and Yes liberally and "aired" by bits and it's settling down. There's no redness. I probably scratched too in the night which won't have helped.

[Sophya]

Stress can definitely make symptoms flare up, even if you’ve been stable for a while. I’ve had times where things came back just when life was hectic, and then calmed down again once I got back on track. If the Vagifem and estriol usually keep you comfortable, maybe give it a little time and see if lowering stress helps.

[Jules]

Stress can definitely make symptoms flare up, even if you’ve been stable for a while. I’ve had times where things came back just when life was hectic, and then calmed down again once I got back on track. If the Vagifem and estriol usually keep you comfortable, maybe give it a little time and see if lowering stress helps.

Thankyou. I also think heat affects it.  I have had itchy skin round my eyes, dermatitis, which seems to also flare up with stress so I think it could be linked