Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: sap22 on August 06, 2016, 04:43:03 PM
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Hi - I just wondered if anyone else had experienced something like this... or whether to go to see a vulva dermatologist. I am on systemic and local HRT and using balance active and an emollient, but for weeks I have this reddish sore bit near the back of the vulva (posterior fourchette area). Some days it's bearable and is better, then others, like today it's not and it doesn't seem to go and is very uncomfortable. Any thoughts? I am close to spending more more on having a dermatologist look at it. My doctor said it would go with time on the HRT, but I've done two months. I wondered whether the HRT doesn't get to some of the outer bits...
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Which local oestrogen have you been prescribed?
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Which local oestrogen have you been prescribed?
It's vagifem.... still can't sit comfortably or walk too far or wear pants as it still feels very sensitive and some days sore/burning.
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Some ladies find it too 'strong' - could be the way it's applied? Have you tried Savlon on the sore area?
I haven't had any problems with Ovestin - maybe do a 'search' on here for Vagifem to see how others find it?
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Some ladies find it too 'strong' - could be the way it's applied? Have you tried Savlon on the sore area?
I haven't had any problems with Ovestin - maybe do a 'search' on here for Vagifem to see how others find it?
I haven't tried savlon... wasn't sure - I use an emollient to make sure it doesn't get dry and burn. It's knowing what to do for the outer bits... do you use ovestin on the outside of the vulva and the labias too? Thanks.
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Nope. It's for insertion as high up as possible in order to plump up and keep internal tissues supple and moist. Dryness can cause itching and soreness. I use KY Jelly externally or Savlon and have found Vaseline helpful in the past.
What's in the emollient that you apply, sometimes the fillers can cause irritation rather than the active ingredient.
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Nope. It's for insertion as high up as possible in order to plump up and keep internal tissues supple and moist. Dryness can cause itching and soreness. I use KY Jelly externally or Savlon and have found Vaseline helpful in the past.
What's in the emollient that you apply, sometimes the fillers can cause irritation rather than the active ingredient.
It's liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin - that's all. It was advised to a friend who had burning and soreness and thought she had thrush but didn't (menopause).
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I suffer/suffered dreadfully in the same area. Vagifem and ovestin are the same strength. For me the only things that have helped is full HRT and local HRT, local on its own was doing nothing.
I use vagifem 5 xs a week and hyalafemme twice a week in between.
I also use multi-gym actigel twice a day in the vestibule area , and also something called v-magic twice aday for the perineum area.
It's a awful condition to have , and requires lots of trial and error. I have seen two vulva dermos.
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You can also use ovestin /estriol on the outer bits although estriol is so weak neither use nor ornament for many.
All this info is from Dr Annie Evans who was my HRT doctor she has now retired , and I will b seeing Nick Panay in November shouldn't have to pay ,but my nether regions have caused me much anguish over the three years I have had this problem.
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Hi sap - I'm not sure how old you are but if it doesn't clear up them I would push for a referral to make sure that all is ok.
Did you have a sore place you could actually see Maryjane?
Taz x :)
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I suffer/suffered dreadfully in the same area. Vagifem and ovestin are the same strength. For me the only things that have helped is full HRT and local HRT, local on its own was doing nothing.
I use vagifem 5 xs a week and hyalafemme twice a week in between.
I also use multi-gym actigel twice a day in the vestibule area , and also something called v-magic twice aday for the perineum area.
It's a awful condition to have , and requires lots of trial and error. I have seen two vulva dermos.
Yes, It's so depressing.... 3 days of burning/soreness and urgency... had enough of it all. I use the 5 x vagifem, full HRT, and been doing balance active twice a week now to maintain PH as it really seemed to help to feel moisturised. I use the Hyalofemme to insert the vagifem, as been using the BA instead at the moment. The v-magic seemed to make the burning worse for me when I tried it. I bought some multi-gyn actigel, but it caused a pink patch on my inner arm when I tried it, so I am waiting to see if the company get back to me to say if I should use it - I don't think they will, but I do want something for the vestibule area. Thanks for sharing....do you think a dermatologist will come up with anything new, or might it just be a question of time... I don't know whether the red patches at the back are just areas where the oestrogen hasn'[t got to, just don't know. xx
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You can also use ovestin /estriol on the outer bits although estriol is so weak neither use nor ornament for many.
All this info is from Dr Annie Evans who was my HRT doctor she has now retired , and I will b seeing Nick Panay in November shouldn't have to pay ,but my nether regions have caused me much anguish over the three years I have had this problem.
I must admit I haven't tried the ovestin on the actual vulva as it's tender, but tried it on the outer labias and ok. Can you confirm where to put it when you say "outer bits" !! Thanks Maryjane x
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I would stop the liquid paraffin to see if symptoms ease?
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Outer bits , the area you are sore . Anything you can see , before opening the labia and when you open the labia.
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Just realised who you are . Doh. 🤔
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:-\
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Hi,
just spotted this. I would agree with others that fine to use ovestin on the sore area of your vulva. i have been advised similar, as vagifem doesn't get to the external bits.
If this doesn't help, I would ask to see a vulval dermatologist just to rule out lichen sclerosus, which I also have, and causes similar symptoms to VA, but different treatment.
Good luck!
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this thread has been interesting to read as I have a friend who was recently suspected to have vulvar cancer but after 2 lots of biopsies cancer was ruled out. There has been a referral to a dermatologist but nowhere nearer knowing what the problem is.
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I went to a dermatologist when I had this problem (same area) and they told me to use 1% hydrocortisone ointment...not cream.(can buy without RX) I was told to put it on twice daily and it did seem to help. I was on 75mg patch, 200mg progesterone daily and vagifem 2x weekly at the time about 3 years ago. Since I have lowered my progesterone to 100mg daily and the patch to 50mg, most of the time I am ok even without vagifem now.
I think it has to do with balance of the hormones which is quite obvious....the trick is getting the balance right. I would rather put up with anything else menopause throws me than to have that burning...it is awful!!! and hurts every time you go to pee even more.
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:thankyou:
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sap22 - I would definitely get this sore patch checked out. If something like this is ongoing despite oestrogen treatment etc. then it could be a skiing condition and as Andius has said some special ointment or cream may be necessary.
I don't want to frighten you but my mother must have had a sore patch that she just ignored for some time. She was 78 at the time and went to the GP who simply thought she had a UTI, gave ABs but didn't examine her. When my mother went back 6 months later because the discomfort was so bad, the GP did examine her this time and she got referred immediately as this sore patch had developed into cancer!!! Moral of this story is - get things checked if they continue for more that 7-14 days.
Keep us posted. DG x