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[Climbingthewalls]

I posted this in another section but told this is a good area for more eyes and hopefully some more advice.
I’ve been battling to get diagnosed with vaginal dryness. I’m early 40s and kept being told I was too young. Nurse tested and treated me for thrush (which I knew it wasn’t). Then gave me replens but said she couldn’t prescribe vaginal oestrogen. I was sure after 2 months of scratchy, itchy discomfort inside and out plus feeling like I’d ridden a bike and struggling to sit comfortably most days, that the issue was a perimenopause vaginal dryness scenario. I’ve been using replens every other day for 6 weeks and I get wet tissue clumpy discharge. This can be very uncomfortable when it comes out and takes days to come out and makes me feel like something is stuck at the entrance to my vagina. I finally got to see a nurse practitioner and her to take me seriously and got vaginal oestrogen perscribed 2 days ago. I’m hoping it works fast so I can stop the replens. Has anyone else had this clumpy tissue discharge with replens?

[Jules]

Yes I had it using replens. It was ok at first but then every few times I'd get that horrible discharge. I wouldn't use it with the estrogen. Maybe buy a vaginal moisturizer like Yes or vagisil but don't use replens at the same time. The vaginal estrogen will take time, don't give up, and I think you should be using every night for two weeks at first but someone else will confirm as I know you're younger.

[CLKD]

Replens is rubbish and I can't understand why it is prescribed or available .   Whereas Gina is, it's oestrogen replacement - however: I believe that there is a protocol to BTC so looking at the product details at i.e. Boots may be a starter.


I would ring my surgery tomorrow and ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause Clinic as there are long waiting lists in both the private sector and NHS.  There may be info on your local Hospital websites. Your Nurse should be updating her knowledge!  Is she a Nurse Practitioner which is a different qualification from a nurse.

No one is too young  .  The medics should be listening to the patient's symptoms. 

No 1 should have to suffer with VA. 

[Ayesha]

We are all different, some women are fine with Replens, some are not. Like Jules, I also use Yes moisturiser as I like the fact its plant based. YesVM would be the best one to use as it works well with Vagifem.

Jus to mention Gina is the brand name that you can buy over the counter, its exactly the same as Vagifem. You do have to be over 50 to purchase but that's not a problem for you as you have been prescribed it.

[Climbingthewalls]

Thanks for the responses Jules, CLKD and Ayesha. I think I’m going to stop with the replens and explore another moisturiser. I wish I’d joined this forum earlier. I’ve been going out my mind. It was a nurse I saw twice who was very nice but just kept referring to the NHS webpage on menopause which lists very few symptoms and she didn’t seem to understand vaginal dryness (atrophy) and just said I was too young. I got very worked up when she said they wouldn’t prescribe vagifem. I went to a pharmacist who went “urgh” when I described the discharge which really angered and upset me. I then insisted I saw a GP who specialised in women’s health which is how I got the appointment with the nurse practitioner who was fantastic and didn’t hesitate to prescribe. I almost hugged her. It sounds like I just need to be patient now. I look forward to not having to use my standing desk at work so much when I can start sitting with less discomfort!!!!

[bombsh3ll]

Just don't forget about the rest of your body - the presence of vaginal atrophy is a warning sign of systemic hypoestrogenism, which in your early 40s is not something to ignore.

It would probably be really helpful to have at least one consultation with a menopause specialist to understand all your options.

[Climbingthewalls]

Thanks bombs3ll. I’m going to push for a referral to my local menopause clinic. I’ve had a look and it appears to be based at the local hospital. 

[Jules]

Just don't forget about the rest of your body - the presence of vaginal atrophy is a warning sign of systemic hypoestrogenism, which in your early 40s is not something to ignore.

It would probably be really helpful to have at least one consultation with a menopause specialist to understand all your options.

A warning sign of what what?

[Ayesha]

What Bomb means is if you are not on systemic HRT expect your body to disintergrate in later life. At 76 I'm still waiting.

I have always had a healthy lifestyle so I assume that will have helped.

[Jules]

Oh blimey. That's a bit scary. I've never been on systemic HRT. I'm 68.im not disintegrating either, apart from my vagina. I've never smoked, I stopped drinking 3 years ago but wasn't a drinker anyway. I'm not overweight. I eat fairly healthily. People tell me I don't look my age. I didn't realise HRT was necessary

[Minusminnie]

I’m 71 my VA/GSM problems started about 12 years ago.
If I’d of been aged 40 I would have wanted to know what other options I had.

[Jules]

I’m 71 my VA/GSM problems started about 12 years ago.
If I’d of been aged 40 I would have wanted to know what other options I had.

Do you have hypo whatever it is then?

[Minusminnie]

You will have to explain that Jules as I’ve no idea what you mean by hypo…..

VA/GSM was a “surprise surprise” for me as I’m otherwise generally healthy.

I feel for anyone aged 40 facing this.

[CLKD]

Or younger despite that medics seem to believe.   At the end of each period I would have two days without anything followed by a brown show and intense itching high up.

Use the VA treatment as often as required, sometimes when symptoms niggle I need to add a dose in the afternoon.  Once the vaginal walls are better plumped symptoms should ease, it won't take long ;-). MayB buy a copy of Me and My Menopausal Vagina, written by a Member here many years ago.

[Ayesha]

I didn't realise HRT was necessary

It's not necessary but a choice. I don't believe in suffering and was glad to take HRT to ease hot flushes in my fifties, they left me exhausted and unable to function. I stayed on it for five years and from then I had an easy menopause. It was the side effects that eventually made me give up, I was beginning to spend my life at the doctors and hospital waiting rooms, once I lost my sense of freedom I decided enough was enough and have never regretted coming of it.