Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Pmj 28 on June 09, 2023, 05:55:40 AM
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The last few weeks my vagina has been ichy and sore and getting worse, been using vagisil has not helped.
Is there anything else I could try
On hrt oestrogel 3 pumps and utrogestan 200mg 12 nights
Thank you x
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I find YES moisturiser is soothing. Ovestin use internally but actually stings if I use it on vulva area.
It may be worth a check with a nurse or g.p if it doesn't clear up. When I had my coil fitted the (wonderful) nurse realised how red and sore I was and prescribed a steroid cream which cleared things up. I mind is thought this was ' normal ' until it went with treatment
Wish you well.
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As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry, including the vulva.
I use KY Jelly round the labia if necessary as well as 'ovestin' internally. Have a lookC at the 'yes' and 'sylc' websites, some ladies require appropriate VA treatment as well as HRT.
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Your symptoms are very typical of Vaginal Atrophy. If it's not an infection of some kind then I would definitely start to think of treatment for VA.
There are very informative posts in this link but I would also suggest you do research yourself on what can become a nasty condition if left.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,64837.0.html
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I agree with Ayesha. Lots of us on here need both full HRT plus vaginal oestrogen
Taz x
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Rang doctors had a call back, he has given me vaginal estrogen cream , on repeat prescription.
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:medal: let us know how you get on. It may be a night or several B4 you feel comfy and if it stings initially, don't push all the way into the vagina.
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Just a thought, but could it be thrush?
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thrush symptoms 4 me were totally different
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You could take a fluconazole 150mg tablet for thrush if you thought it might be that to rule that out before starting the vaginal oestrogen cream.
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Why take medication for something that might be 'there' :-\
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I'm not for use of unnecessary medication but if you can't tell what is what down there it is one possible way of ruling one thing out.
I take one now if i can't pull back from any extra soreness so i can get a grip on what i am dealing with.
Your symptoms are very typical of Vaginal Atrophy. If it's not an infection of some kind then I would definitely start to think of treatment for VA.
What if it is thrush as VioletAquarius has questioned.
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Get a diagnosis from the Nurse Practitioner to confirm. Many years ago I used 'canasten' 'in case', I was in a cool bath for hours after due to intense stinging/pain :-\. Never again.
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Your symptoms are very typical of Vaginal Atrophy. If it's not an infection of some kind then I would definitely start to think of treatment for VA.
What if it is thrush as VioletAquarius has questioned.
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That’s why I mentioned in my post about it being other infections, which I assume one would automatically assume thrush too, before thinking about using treatment for VA.
Pmj 28 seems very much on the ball when it comes to her symptoms and I am sure she knows what she is doing regarding what treatments she needs.
Like CLKD I used Canesten for years without realising that what I was actually going through was the beginning of Vaginal Atrophy.
I didn't believe the doctor when he said you don't have thrush, you don't smell, but I continued with the canesten for years until my condition became chronic. I really wouldn't want any other woman to go through what I went through if she doesn't have to.
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Use of the Fluconazole tablet was suggested to me by a consultant who said that thrush is systemic anyway and just to take that if i suspected thrush. No Canestan near the vagina.
My suggestion was just in response to VioletAquarius's question I'm sure Pmj 28 will make her own mind up.
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Can't the GP do a swab? That's how my thrush was diagnosed. I didn't have itching at all, just extra white discharge. I thought the discharge was from high estrogen but it went after treatment.
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Although the first time I had thrush the itching was intense, drove me nuts. I guess it can present in different ways, hence why a diagnosis is good 🤷♂️
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The itching 4 me was too high up for me to reach :o and began 3 days after I stopped taking The Pill. The Gynae Registrar with whom I worked said "I know it's daft but don't scratch!". I was given pessaries which worked. Many years later I had what I thought was thrush but it wasn't.
Reading in the paper today how many people are mis-diagnosing = using incorrect treatments for various 'ailments' because they have read GOOGLE etc..
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Many years ago I used 'canasten' 'in case', I was in a cool bath for hours after due to intense stinging/pain :-\. Never again.
I remember when I got to this stage, the canesten was no longer working and started to burn and sting like hell. That's when a male doctor told me to make an appointment with the female gynae at the surgery.
It can be a minefield down there with so many other conditions that can happen with the vagina and it's always best to rule things out. Sometimes though a GP just looking at the area can tell you straight away what's going on as mine did. But before all that I was given three courses of antibiotics for a bladder infection, it was during covid though when everything changed for the worse. I remember the antibiotics gave me terrible muscle pain which was very miserable at the time and absolutely no need for that to happen.
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Hi ladies, when doctors rand me back he ask a lot of questions, and said it did not sound like thrush as I was not having white discharge.
Did have this problem a couple of years ago, and was given the cream to take .
I am going to see a nurse in 4 weeks time to see how things are .
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Hi,
it could be VA . But if it does not improve try your local Sexula health clinic as they can test for Cytolitic Vaginosis, lactobacilli over grwoth, and bacterial vaginosis , all of which can cause itching. Yes VM daily can help some to rebalance the inside. Have a look with a mrror. Make sure you know what looks normal for you. Use hydromol fore washing and aviod soaps and bubble bath, all of which can upset the flora. Sleep with no knickers and go knickerless when you can. I hope this helps. Having an uncomfortable V is miserable!
PM x
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Pepperminty that's what my mum and nan used to say, always skeep with no knickers so you can air your vagina i now say it to my daughter 🤣
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CLKD it made me laugh when you said itching was high up and you were told not to scratch it, I can only imagine the position you'd have to contort yourself into to scratch an itch like that 😳. I had pessaries too and thank god they worked. I now keep an eye on what's normal for me, although sometimes hard to tell given I use the utrogestan vaginally.
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I never look down there :o although we 'are supposed to' ::). I know what feels normal for me. I would go naked 24/7; however, it would mean shaving my legs ;D sorry OT but couldn't resist.
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Hi ladies, wondering if you could help again, as in my previous post had ichy sore vagina was given estriol cream and 1 150mg fluconazole, just finished my 2nd week of cream the doctor told me not to stop taking the cream.
But still sore so had a look and my vagina is pale looking no discharge
Going to see the nurse in 2 weeks
Could this be thrush
Pmj 28
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Hi ladies, wondering if you could help again, as in my previous post had ichy sore vagina was given estriol cream and 1 150mg fluconazole, just finished my 2nd week of cream the doctor told me not to stop taking the cream.
But still sore so had a look and my vagina is pale looking no discharge
Going to see the nurse in 2 weeks
Could this be thrush
Pmj 28
It can be hard to tell because some women do not get the usual thrush symptoms such as discharge. Is it possible to arrange for a swab test? This way you will know for certain.
Are you using any localised oestrogen?
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Hi , I ues 3 pumps of oestrogel on inner thighs
Pmj28
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Hi , I ues 3 pumps of oestrogel on inner thighs
Pmj28
Localised oestrogen is a different type and it especially for vaginal atrophy. Vagifem and Ovestin are vaginal atrophy treatments and it sounds like you would really benefit from some. Are you aware of vaginal atrophy at all? I had no idea what it was before joining this forum.
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No didn't know about vaginal atrophy,
I do have a cream I ues vaginal called
Estriol cream
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No didn't know about vaginal atrophy,
I do have a cream I ues vaginal called
Estriol cream
Oh I see. Vaginal atrophy is were the vagina and vulva lack oestrogen. This can cause various symptoms such as itching, dryness, feeling you have a UTI but urine samples come back negative, pain and physical changes.
You have estriol cream which is just what you need for this. I would use it every day. You can insert it and also apply it to the outer area. You may find it helpful to buy a vaginal moisturiser such as Yes. I buy mine from Amazon. You can use this throughout the day if you feel a bit dry and also to mix with the estriol cream.
I suspect your symptoms are actually vaginal atrophy and using the cream along with vaginal moisturiser is going to be very helpful. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. There is a lot of information about VA on here with many threads if you wish to browse them. :)
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Thank you will look on amazon. And I am thank full for this forum
Pmj 28
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Thank you will look on amazon. And I am thank full for this forum
Pmj 28
You are most welcome. :)
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Pmj28 The following links will tell you everything you need to know about Vaginal Atrophy, it's a good study!
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,22886.0.html
For non members some great posts here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,64837.msg895647.html#msg895647
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Thank you ,will have a look xx