Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Midnight Shadow on August 16, 2017, 02:40:48 PM
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Having posted before about personal itching thought it time for an update. Itching is less prevalent but I am very sore in the bottom/ anal area. Am sure what I have is Puritus Ani. Can this be caused by a lack of estrogen? My VA has completely gone, now plagued with the itching in the anal/ bottom area. Doctors thought thrush and that has been treated with hydrocortisone creams and canesten. Have taken the worm tablets. Am now trying Pranicure ointment bought online and am hoping this works. Does take 1 - 5 weeks to heal the skin. Anyone else tried this cream? Hoping it is my miracle cure. I seem to get rid of one menopausal ailment and get another. Guess we are all in the same boat. Replies appreciated.
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? Savlon ?. My GP recommended Over-the-Counter Anusol, specifically designed for this type of problem.
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Are you on HRT for the VA Midnight Shadow?
Taz x
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I was on HRT for a short time and Vagifem for the Atrophy. Don't suffer at the front door now just at the back door. Thanks for reply.
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It's just that I know exactly how you feel! In my case the only thing that's cured both the front and back has been full HRT plus vagifem. The actual VA improved really quickly but I was left with the other area being really sore with split skin quite often. It was diagnosed by my pelvic floor specialist but I can't remember the proper title. Although it seemed to have started in the bottom it was actually the very back of the perineum which was causing the problem. I'll give it some thought. Vagifem needs to be continued so don't be persuaded that you only need use it until the VA has gone. It will return without the oestrogen.
Remembered! It's called posterior fourchette.
Taz x
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Thanks Taz. I still have some vagifem so will continue to use it. I found vagisan a godsend and always have some in the drawer. Never heard of posterior fourchette. Will google that one. Like you the itching and soreness is higher up. it's so frustrating for us all.
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For me it's due to dryness - all over the body but fortunately not at the same time! I have found keeping the affected areas soft and supple helps a lot.
I wouldn't stop my VA treatment for all the tea in China!
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Thanks for all the replies. Will the vagifem help the burning and itching at the back? Have used one tonight hoping it helps.
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I'm having the same problem I have estring for VA but has major flare up since March now using estriole and/or ovestin externally which has helped settle vaginal irritation/burning/soreness, but now, just this last couple of weeks odd days of severe soreness and itching around back door! Used e45 HC fir a few days, improved, thought I'd sorted it, the today sore and itchy again! Not sure what to do, trying ovestin tonight to see if it will help, but worried it might make it worse? Dont know what to do for the best, tried coconut oil, tried lanacane, tried estriole, can't find what's causing it, is it all part of VA?
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Yep. Get Anusol which is specifically made for itchy bums ;-)
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Yep. Get Anusol which is specifically made for itchy bums ;-)
Not really my bum as such, more the skin sound it, and perineum 😟 Applied ovestin several times today, does soothe things for a while, just bizarre how it can come and go 😟
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I'm having the same problem I have estring for VA but has major flare up since March now using estriole and/or ovestin externally which has helped settle vaginal irritation/burning/soreness, but now, just this last couple of weeks odd days of severe soreness and itching around back door! Used e45 HC fir a few days, improved, thought I'd sorted it, the today sore and itchy again! Not sure what to do, trying ovestin tonight to see if it will help, but worried it might make it worse? Dont know what to do for the best, tried coconut oil, tried lanacane, tried estriole, can't find what's causing it, is it all part of VA?
It is all part of VA I think Ljp. I find that without full oestrogen I get very sore around that area. The perineum splits occasionally too which is super painful!! Gynae linked mine into two episiotomies during labour. They used to give them as a matter of routine sadly. I haven't read all of this link but there may be something helpful https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-the-vagina-and-vulva
Taz x
Taz x
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Thanks Taz I'll have a read, desperate to find something that works.
Might be too much information, but I find I feel more sore/prickly/ sore around back etc if I'm too moist, but if things are dry, I get cracks in skin, mostly around clitoris.
Ovestin and estriole definitely help vaginal area, but not convinced it helps around back, it feels too moist and that makes burning and soreness worse.
I've been using external cream for the past 4 weeks, and seem to need it twice daily at the moment.
I've been on estrogel, and Mirena since Dec 2015, also had first estring fitted then by gynaecologist. Prior to that I'd just used estriole to try and help feqyebcy with bladder.
I "stupidly' stopped estring for six months from sept 2016, nit realising that VA could be more than just bladder issues, I had that under control with vesicare but that point, and I do worry about over use of HRT.
Then in March this year, while on a walking holiday in the Lake District, was had a massive vet flare up, soreness, irritation burn g etc, presumed thrush, but didn't really improve wth canesten, went to see GP she did swab, results were clear, started back at n estring, but the burning, soreness, cracks in
vaginal area, have been intermittent and n going since, and more recently around back too.
Managed to get estriole from GP after waiting for her to ask gynae at hospital. Advise was twice weekly, but that's just not enough at present, twice daily is necessary
, I'm hoping I can start to reduce eventually, even once every other day would be good I'd, wth YES or vagisan on the other days.
Those of you that are fellow VA sufferers and use moisturisers and lubricants alongside your local estrogen cream externally, do you use them he sae time? Or in between applications? Or only on days you don't use oestrogen cream… I'm still learning and have several queries 🙄
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Does oestrigen cream moisturise too? Or just plump things up?
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In between applications, i.e. first thing after opening my bowels in the morning on goes the Savlon. If I have been sweaty in the day whilst gardening, a quick wash in cooled water and another application, for me it's about keeping the area moist and supple.
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Very interesting reading your replies. Can't believe we are all suffering like this. I found the vagisan cream a godsend for my VA and it really helped to stop the burning. It was like a miracle cure and worth every penny. It's a shame the Vagisan can't be used at the back end to. There must be a cream out there somewhere to relieve the anal burning. Sitting is a nightmare and makes the bottom so sore. I couldn't get on with HRT creams, they made burn even more. If I find anything that works I will let you know.
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:-\ Anusol :-\
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Thanks will try that.
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Anusol doesn't do much to help mine to be honest.
I think anything too moist makes mine worse.
Today I bought some metanium nappy rash cream, and it's feeling a lot better, fingers crossed!
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You are all so knowledgeable on this site. Pleased my itching has decreased, wiith my Pranicure cream. Start week 4 of using it tomorrow. The leaflet does say it can take up to 5 weeks or slightly longer. Hopefully, it will eventually ease the soreness from sitting. Just feels like a friction burn. Anyone else have this? Try not to sit too much, but not easy when out with friends.
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Was there any sign of worms :-\ ???
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No, no sign of worms. I did take two of the tablets the Doctor prescribed. Tests fof thrush were also clear. Thanks for the reply.
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Hopefully you have found something that will continue to ease symptoms, keep using it!
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Having posted before about personal itching thought it time for an update. Itching is less prevalent but I am very sore in the bottom/ anal area. Am sure what I have is Puritus Ani. Can this be caused by a lack of estrogen? My VA has completely gone, now plagued with the itching in the anal/ bottom area. Doctors thought thrush and that has been treated with hydrocortisone creams and canesten. Have taken the worm tablets. Am now trying Pranicure ointment bought online and am hoping this works. Does take 1 - 5 weeks to heal the skin. Anyone else tried this cream? Hoping it is my miracle cure. I seem to get rid of one menopausal ailment and get another. Guess we are all in the same boat. Replies appreciated.
Hi,
I know this is an old post but wanted to ask you honest opinion on Pranicure. I am distracted with anal itch and the creams prescribed by doctor are only ok for a while. It's an expensive cream but if it works I'd buy it. Any thoughts greatly appreciated x
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How often to you apply what your GP prescribes? Sometimes it needs putting on in small amounts every hour until symtpoms ease. Maybe have a look-C to see if the ingredients in Pranicure against what is in your current medication?
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How often to you apply what your GP prescribes? Sometimes it needs putting on in small amounts every hour until symtpoms ease. Maybe have a look-C to see if the ingredients in Pranicure against what is in your current medication?
I used the canisten I was given after every toilet visit. It does not help longterm though and shouldn't be used longterm as it can make things worse by thinning the skin. I've used anusol to no relief but have found the best relief with anacare but it too seems to have stopped being as effective. Fed up with doctors. They just seem clueless when you mention itching skin.
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Lichen sclerosus can just affect the anal area so needs a vulva dermatologist potentially to rule it out , as you don’t always get whiteness with LS very often itching & soreness & can get missed.
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Hi Ladies,
My bottom can at times feel itchy and other times sore. But I do have piles and at times fissures.
Both which can make you feel I need to give my ass a good scratch at times.
I’ve been using Yes VB sometimes on my bottom and Olive and Bee, I figure they couldn’t do much harm? I do use piles cream (but that should only be use for piles and fissures, and can only be use for 7 days)
Have you tried a spritz bath? I find sitting in a shadow water about 5cm with half a cup of salt for 15 minutes. Couple times a day, great for after you poo, it might help.
:bighug:
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Hi Ladies,
My bottom can at times feel itchy and other times sore. But I do have piles and at times fissures.
Both which can make you feel I need to give my ass a good scratch at times.
I’ve been using Yes VB sometimes on my bottom and Olive and Bee, I figure they couldn’t do much harm? I do use piles cream (but that should only be use for piles and fissures, and can only be use for 7 days)
Have you tried a spritz bath? I find sitting in a shadow water about 5cm with half a cup of salt for 15 minutes. Couple times a day, great for after you poo, it might help.
:bighug:
Thankyou, got some different things from doctor today so we'll see how it goes. Yes I do have a sitz bath.
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Lichen sclerosus can just affect the anal area so needs a vulva dermatologist potentially to rule it out , as you don’t always get whiteness with LS very often itching & soreness & can get missed.
Ok thanks
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I have just been put on Vagifem pesseries due to vaginal atrophy. Does this medication help?
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I have just been put on Vagifem pesseries due to vaginal atrophy. Does this medication help?
It certainly does. It is local oestrogen.
JP x
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This is something I have been suffering from for the last couple of months and it's driving me mad! I've tried anusol and hydracortisone, both of which help initially but then it just comes back again. I must admit I have put off going to the GP hoping I can sort it out myself but not yet. I use vagifem every other day, and I use 100mg utrogestan nightly vaginally and a bit of Ovestin externally couple of times a week. I have done this for a year now and had no previous problem but I did wonder if one of these might be causing some sort of reaction now if there is a bit of discharge or fillers etc. I am contemplating switching from Estradot 100/Utrogestan to Evorel Conti patch to avoid having to use the utrogestan vaginally in case it's that. Any advice please?
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As with other problems in t hat region, the trick is to keep using the 'anusol' or moisturiser of your choice. Don't feel better and stop!
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Thanks for your reply CLKD - I just thought you weren't meant to use Anusol etc for more than a week - it's such a strange and annoying thing, never had anything like this before.
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What does it say on the box or tube? My GP never suggested it wasn't to be used regularly.
MayB use the 'anusol' for a week and then 'savlon' or a moisturiser of choice 3 times a day. Sometimes my urine is acidic so my bottom gets sore after I pee so 'savlon' is my go-to. Keep it moist ;-)
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Interestingly, I've had the opposite advice! Keep it dry and apply a thin layer of Sudacrem. Thin because you need to let the air get to it 🤷♀️.
JP x
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That's given me an image ............ :-X. OK at night when 1 can lay on the bed and air the nethers. During the day I need 2 use 'savlon' if my urine is acidic. Talc is the other soother. It really is what works individually. I certainly get reminded if I forget ::)
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Started using Anusol this week as tried Cetraben, Dermovate for sore bottom. They work for a while but never cure the problem.
I've also tried using a little Ovestin as I already use this for VA but it really stung so reluctant to try this again in case it makes it worse. Although it used to burn when I first used it for VA.
Anyone had this and it gets better or is sore bottom another life long menopause condition?
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Anusol worked for me, recommended by my GP. I hate asking for it though :-\ as it really does what it says on the tube >:( ::)
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Do you have to use it all the time now or the soreness comes back?
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I used it until the area felt OK, as well as making sure that my urine was not too acid. Then as necessary on the opening as well as savlon on the skin.
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Ok thanks, looks like another morning and night ritual to add to the list.
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As with any problem, if it lasts for more than 3 weeks, or becomes worse, then see a Nurse Practitioner. My symptoms usually ease completely within 5 days.
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Dierdre - any improvement?
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Not really, think I've got a small hemorrhoid now. There's no bleeding just an aching pain and a small lump that hurts to sit down on. The Anusol cream just burns and stings for ages then ok for an hour or so then wears off. Might try the suppositories instead of the cream as they will stay up longer.
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oh dear :-\
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What's your Plan to improve the pain Dierdre?
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I stopped all creams and just soaked in warm water 3 times a day. Took ibuprofen which was the only thing that stopped the pain and only used mypura wipes, 99% water and aloe vera. So far so good.
Not sure if it helped but I went to Reflexology yesterday and she concentrated on the bit on my foot connected to my hemorrhoids! Keeping an open mind on this but if it's worked then great :)
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Nowt wrong with placebo effect . We don't know enough about the body and brain reactions to be judgemental.