Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Postmeno3 on January 13, 2021, 07:26:02 PM
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Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if anyone has found a "nice" soap etc to relieve the tedium of the unscented, non-reactive sort. I am so, so sensitive down there that so many soaps and washes, even those claimed to be suited to sensitivity, trigger a reaction. Even an Epsom Salts bath which is beneficial for my M.E seems to irritate the vaginal wall. Any tips? Thanks!
:)
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I fortunately have had no problems. SLS is the important thing to avoid, it's even in baby products.
Is there a company called 'sensitive' ?
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Limonene is a natural product often found in these products - but can cause allergies .. So Might be worth avoiding.
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'simple' do I mean :-\
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"Simple", yes. I'd forgotten about them. Just not sure how simple they are! ;D I'd just like something that smells nice, feels indulgent.
Wondered about pure tea tree?
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I've had the same issue for years and a couple of years ago found that goats milk soap is excellent. I've had no problems since I started using this. Try the Little Goat Soap Company. I'm nothing to do with them, by the way!
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I have had a look at them in the past, their web-site is good.
I use babedas which used to be advertised on TV. Radox doesn't affect me. If you find that bubbles affect you then how about a plain bath followed by a squirt of lavender or similar spray ? That's indulgent too ;)
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Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if anyone has found a "nice" soap etc to relieve the tedium of the unscented, non-reactive sort. I am so, so sensitive down there that so many soaps and washes, even those claimed to be suited to sensitivity, trigger a reaction. Even an Epsom Salts bath which is beneficial for my M.E seems to irritate the vaginal wall. Any tips? Thanks!
:)
Cornwall Soapbox.
They have a website and specialise in handmade products with natural ingredients. I can throughly recommend, especially their shampoo bars.
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Sanex affects me, sadly, but thanks for all the other ideas. Goats' milk, wow! I have it in milk and yoghurt form so why not in the bath! And a great idea to spritz with something nice after a plain bath. Thanks again. What a lovely bunch you are!
💚
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Sadly with virginal atrophy I had to stop all my lovely shower gels. I find Dove sensitive soap really good.
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Sorry you've lost your lovely treats and thanks for the tip.
:)
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Hi there
After about 20 years of trial and error these are the ones which work for me - and I am super sensitive down there. Any ‘bad’ or heavily foaming products will make me super uncomfortable and then a very nasty episode of thrush. The ones below (all varieties) work for me - all expensive unfortunately, on the plus side John Lewis stocks them and will deliver. However my view is that menopause is horrible and I deserve at least a decent bathing experience! The’ mass market’ products tend to be loaded with sulphites and salt - as a thickener. In my experience Sanex is a joyless bathing experience. One of my previous favourites, Moulton Brown, is probably one of the worst culprits!
Ren shower gels
Neals yard shower gels
Cowshed shower gels
Elemis shower gels - their website often has good promotions
In terms of bath products then anything foaming is out of the question, and it’s the SLS and the salt again . I only now use Bath oils, and now make my own with a dispersing Bath oil (can buy in 1L bottles from Amazon) and then carefully add a limited amount of essential oils - just need to research which ones and dosages if you have any conditions and be aware that there are set %s to use. Be careful on the types of oil of you have allergies and you want a non fragranced one and for it to disperse. If you want to buy a nice Bath oil as a treat then I enjoy this one https://www.highgrovegardens.com/products/gardeners-bath-oil. Again not cheap but a lovely treat and you don’t need a lot.
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Thanks for all this. Because of the M.E., essential oils can be too much, sadly. Also, I haven't the capacity for experimentation and it's not something I could confidently hand over to someone else. I remember having a massage with geranium, mandarin and ginger and was in bed for a week! What are we like?! All we terribly sensitive and far too readily overstimulated souls! You're so right, though, that luxuriating in some form of treat in the bath is the least we deserve with this exhausting hormonal jigsaw puzzle!
😀
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I am looking for soaps without additives. Can't be bothered to trawl through all the supermarket stuff. Want to get away from palm oil initially.
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Hi Postmeno
Just had a quick look on Holland and Barrett and there are some nice bubble baths/soaks (some aimed at children) which are paraben/SLS free. They also do some lovely sounding soaps.
I hope you can find something that works for you - I would not use anything highly scented down there. Maybe Femfresh or even aqueous cream?
x
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femfresh is a chemical :-\ - I didn't realise it was still sold. In the 1960s it was an aerosol for use between the legs ......... mayB there are wipes these days too?
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Femfresh is still around, they do an intimate wash - no idea about sprays/wipes.
Postmeno3 looking for something that smells nice, but that doesn't aggravate any sensitivities, thought it was worth a mention!
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Thanks. I've decided a nice smell isn't as important as something which is not going to aggravate. I guess I can burn some compatible incense. I've been prescribed a couple of things to try, an emollient for the shower/bath which may prove to be practically best.....just lacking the indulgence! 😂
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The mention of 'femfresh' took me back ::)
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How do I make the most of the small pieces of soap? Dad used to squish them 2gether to get more life out of them, soap doesn't seem to squish these days ::)
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If the V is sensitive , just plain water will cause less irritation. Hydromol is recommended by dermatologists .
YES have an intimate wash - but never used it.
PMXX
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Interesting reading this thread and oh how life changes as your body goes on the attack!
Looking in my bathroom today, gone are the beautiful posh bottles of luxury toiletries to be replaced with ugly Aqueous cream dispensers and ugly Sanex products. It all looks very industrial in my bathroom now, they could at least use pretty packaging just to make it look nice when on display.
Never mind, there is always retail therapy left (not that I need many clothes now) and getting out of my plain water filled bath I am still able to use lots of lovely moisturiser which makes me feel a lot better, for now!! ::)
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I agree Gracie, but I have decanted a lot into nice containers . I haven't had a bubbles bath in years. And I loved them-
I wish someone had told a younger me what to do earlier while it was all working well - I would have started prevention- rather than cure!
PMXX
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I’m using a Weleda creamy body wash which doesn’t irritate.