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[Snowcat]

Hi everyone.  Has anyone else had a very itchy bottom - I started HRT (patch, vagifem & estriol cream) a few months ago and it’s really helping with the atrophy (I can now sit down again - yay!) but I have a very itchy bottom (I’ve tried anusol cream and sudocreme) also itchy ears, scalp & armpits! But not constantly - just every few days.  Just drives me mad while it’s there! I
Also have a rare species of vaginal thrush which I start IV caspofungin for tomorrow.  I was thinking that if the itch was due to low estrogen I’d have had it months ago when my estrogen was lower than it is now… my GP seems at as much of a loss as I am so thought I’d reach out on here and see if anyone else has anything similar and what worked! Thanks all!

[Jules]

I get itching around my eyes, really dry skin and keeps me awake. The doctor and optician couldn't cure it but the pharmacist suggested I put hyaluronic acid on which helped a lot. Last night I was itching in my face, my chest. I occasionally have taken antihistamine in desperation. I think it's just lack of estrogen, dry skin and possibly stress

[fiftyplus]

If you have already tried anusol and sudocreme maybe give Preparation H a try it is a nice soothing gel ...

[Snowcat]

Thank you Jules and Fiftyplus. I’m beginning to think that it is just dryness - I’ll try prep H too.  I need to up my fluid intake too as I tend towards constipation - I think I’m turning into a prune!

[LittleClaire]

Hi, yes this is my WORST symptom. I don’t know about you but it affects my bottom, vulva, groin and the bit in between bottom and vagina. It comes and goes but it’s awful right before my period, right after ovulation and whenever I am stressed or too hot. I’ve noticed this. What strength HRT are you on? I’ve increased from Evorel 50 to 75 and now on 100 and I still get it so I think mine is linked to hormone fluctuations rather than just low oestrogen. The HRT I’ve found has helped the tissues and skin as in it’s not as thin and doesn’t tear as easily when  scratched but the itch is still present. Aveeno moisture with colloidal oatmeal I’ve found soothes it as well as Ovesse oestrogen cream on the outside. If I could eliminate this symptom I feel I’d cope a lot easier with the other peri symptoms. Sending you a hug x

[Snowcat]

Aw, Thank you Littleclaire- it’s horrible isn’t it - the itching.  I’m like you, the estrogen cream has helped heal the thin, sore vulval skin but I still get irritation and itching in various places on and off - I had a wonderful day yesterday - everything was very comfortable but then I wake up at 3am with itchy bottom and stinging area on my labia - I use hydromol ointment which is supposed to soothe such things but it doesn’t.  Estrogen cream & vagifem at night but I feel it needs something else - only a 1% hydrocortisone cream helps but I don’t want to rely on that too much as it has its own problems.  I’ve tried coconut oil but it doesn’t work for long and you don’t want to spend every spare minute in the bathroom applying more creams & potions! My friend asked if I’d thought of leaving it alone altogether and not using anything (other than the HRT stuff) and quite honestly I am tempted! I’ll ask gynae again when I see her on Tuesday.  I’m on Estraderm 75 patch - hormones fluctuate whatever dose you’re own I guess.  Maybe we just need to be patient and give it all a bit longer.  I’m not very good at that! Sending you a hug too x

[LittleClaire]

Yes it’s just awful i know, I envy anyone that doesn’t have to deal with this. Could you try increasing your patch to 100 and see if that helps? I always found that the increased in the beginning helped a little and softened things up but then it would always level off and come back again. Probably the fluctuations! Looking back it did used to be worse on the lower patch and before HRT as I would scratch until it bled then it would sting when I went in the shower because of the cuts which it doesn’t really now which tells me it’s hormone related. It is probably trial and error finding the right solution I just hope this goes away once menopause is over! Xx

[Dierdre]

Could be the thrush causing the itchy bottom.

[Snowcat]

Hi Dierdre.  Yes I did wonder if it could be the thrush … I’ve had thrush before which hasn’t done that but I have had this bout for a long time so maybe…  guess I’ll find out after the treatment!

Littleclaire - I might ask about increasing the patch.  Gynae said I could go up to 100 but at last examination she said I didn’t need to.  What I don’t understand is that I didn’t have any symptoms any itching when my estrogen was at its lowest - so I was surprised when it started relatively recently.  Last night it was my bottom and my ears! I ended up using some dermovate as it was middle of the night and I just wanted to sleep! But even that only calmed it down a bit .. I’ll see what gynae says tomorrow… although I think she might be getting fed up with me! I keep seeing female doctors who are clearly too young to have had personal experience of these issues, although a nurse recently told me that she’s now understanding what it’s all about!

[Dierdre]

I also found toilet paper may have been my culprit, especially the soft bleached stuff. I now use unscented 99% water 1% aloe vera baby wipes and no itching os soreness there anymore.

[LittleClaire]

I actually use femfresh to wash down there too and wondering if that’s not helping matters. I’ve read all over this forum to wash just with water but I never feel clean doing that. I didn’t think there was any chemicals in femfresh.

[Dierdre]

It's full of chemicals I'm afraid.

[Jules]

I used vagisil  which I find ok and I've just bought some Yes to try. But I mostly just use water and usually cold water.

[Dierdre]

I shower in Sanex sensitive but only use water down there. Sometimes  I'll wash in Cetraben emollient and rinse with water as this protects from the water too which sometimes can be  harsh. My water is very hard and has chemicals in it. I don't drink it but buy bottled water.

[Dierdre]

I used vagisil  which I find ok and I've just bought some Yes to try. But I mostly just use water and usually cold water.

I've got YES water based but have noticed this last batch of the 6 x 5ml applicators went sticky after applying and then irritated. I really struggle to find a moisturisor that I can apply as and when without irritation. I've tried so many over the years.