Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Talli on September 18, 2023, 08:03:48 AM
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Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post but I’m on Vagifem and I take it every night.
Recently I’ve been getting little painless white head pimples (sorry tmi :o ) on my vulva and it’s been super red and blotchy and sore. Seen a dr and she gave me antibiotics for the spot but it hasn’t gone away and the rest of my bits are agonising with the itch and soreness. No one wants to help :(
They won’t give steroid cream as she said it’ll make the spot worse.
My urethra is irritated and I feel like I need to pee all the time!
Last night I got desperate and took two Vagifem at the same time. :-\
Any advice greatly appreciated!!!
Edit: I’ve also just started taking thyroxine for under active thyroid
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Could the white spot/s be thrush? Do they develop into 'boils' which become red, swollen and angry?
It's absolutely fine to double up Vagifem occasionally, to ease symptoms. MayB ask for 'ovestin' for the outer labia/vulva, or get yes or sylc moisturisers for that area.
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Not sure about thrush.
It feels like a bump, like a spot, it’s raised but it’s only tiny and not massively painful really.
I do use Yes moisturiser inside everyday but I havnt tried it on the outside. I’ll do that! Thanks!
Maybe I’ll grab some thrush tablets just in case too.
Glad about the Vagifem too :)
Thanks so much!
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I would use Ovestin topically along with the Vagifem, sometimes two treatments are necessary.
I know there are women on here that have similar issues to yours and hopefully they will be along later to advise further.
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Don't bother with the thrush treatment if it ain't! Too many products on sensitive areas may aggravate symptoms.
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I would use Ovestin topically along with the Vagifem, sometimes two treatments are necessary.
I know there are women on here that have similar issues to yours and hopefully they will be along later to advise further.
Thanks so much!
Do they get those little pimples too?
It was a real fight to get the Vagifem as I’m only 40 so not sure they give out ovestin but I’ll definitely ask!
It’s soooooo uncomfortable!
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Don't bother with the thrush treatment if it ain't! Too many products on sensitive areas may aggravate symptoms.
Sorry for tmi (again) but there’s so cottage cheesy discharge or anything. There’s no discharge at all ::)
Just red patchy blotchy skin. Inside looks like it’s on fire too. It burns when I put the yes in and itches like mad outside and in.
And irritated urethra too.
Wish this stupid pimple would go away! I’m sure it’s aggravating things down there!
I’m waiting for a call from a nurse about my thyroxine so maybe I’ll mention it all to her if she has time.
She was supposed to ring on Friday but I asked if she could ring later as I was at a funeral at the appointment time so she said she would but never ended up phoning :(
So I’m hoping she might ring today.
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While you wait to see whether you can be prescribed Ovestin, you can buy it from Superdrug Online, it's what I did while I waited for my prescription.
Definitely don't use thrush treatment, you will only complicate matters but because of the white pimple your Vaginal Atrophy is not straight forward, like a lot of the women on here, that's why I said hopefully someone will be along to help you more. :)
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Thanks so much for your reply :)
I have tried to get ovestin from Superdrug before but because I’m under 45 they say they won’t prescribe it for me and I have to go to my gp.
It’s really annoying but it is what it is I guess ::)
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Your GP shouldn't be bothered about your age regarding VA. MayB get an appt with the Nurse Practitioner who may be more up2date with VA treatments. There is no such thing as 'too young' !!!!
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Thank you yeah I might try and get an appointment with a nurse and see if she’ll prescribe it.
Superdrug won’t because I’ve tried before.
I just wish this stupid pimple would disappear, I thought the antibiotics would get rid but they haven’t made any difference :(
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Could the spots be a reaction to something? I was wondering if it could be from shower gel, laundry detergent or even shaving (if you do shave the area).
It sounds very sore but hopefully you feel reassured as the Dr has seen your skin. Does it hurt to apply an emollient because if not, perhaps that could soothe the area for you.
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Thank you for your reply. When the dr saw it the skin was ok, it’s gotten worse since.
The stupid pimple has stayed the same though, that hasn’t got any worse.
I dont normally trim or shave ‘down there’ but about July time I got a bikini trimmer and have had a bit of a problem ever since. Not shaving just trimming. I only did it once. I hate being a woman :(
The pimple isn’t in a spot where there’s hair if that makes sense and it was a while ago but I guess it could have irritated it.
The dr didn’t think the spot was infected but gave me antibiotics anyway and said to take them if it got worse. Well the irritation and redness got worse but not the spot so I took them but they havnt done anything.
It’s so uncomfortable I’m getting a bit beside myself :-\
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Could the spots be a reaction to something? I was wondering if it could be from shower gel, laundry detergent or even shaving (if you do shave the area).
It sounds very sore but hopefully you feel reassured as the Dr has seen your skin. Does it hurt to apply an emollient because if not, perhaps that could soothe the area for you.
I have a very strict routine down there if washing with Dermol (no soap or anything) same sensitive detergent I’ve always used which has been fine. And then use cetraben outside as a barrier and yes inside.
It’s just suddenly flared up out of no where. I’ve started Tyroxine and I’m wondering if that’s bothering it but I’ve been on it for a few months and it’s been ok .
Thank you all SO MUCH for your replies, I feel at a loss
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SAVLON ;-). A good dollop which will stop any infection developing.
Let us know how you get on.
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It sounds to me like a reaction from using the trimmer. Your poor skin sounds very sore. From what you have described it does not sound like an ingrown hair but could be be a razor bump? Years ago I used to use an oil called No Bump but I suspect that is not going to be gentle for your skin. This was a long time ago when there were no other options. I wonder if there is an alternative you could use. I had a quick look and some say tea tree oil but there may be something for sensitive skin now.
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It sounds to me like a reaction from using the trimmer. Your poor skin sounds very sore. From what you have described it does not sound like an ingrown hair but could be be a razor bump? Years ago I used to use an oil called No Bump but I suspect that is not going to be gentle for your skin. This was a long time ago when there were no other options. I wonder if there is an alternative you could use. I had a quick look and some say tea tree oil but there may be something for sensitive skin now.
Do you think it could be a reaction from the trimmer?
Wish I hadn’t done it now. The pimple has a little white head on it but it’s not painful at all. The dr has seen it and wasn’t bothered about it. She said she didn’t see anything that worried her.
It’s just how the skin has flared up now that’s making me miserable.
Maybe I’ll try some tea tree oil on it but I’m worried it might be bad for my skin.
Honestly!
Inside hurts and is sore too which makes me wonder if it’s the atrophy flaring as well?
It’s all red raw including inside :( :o
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SAVLON ;-). A good dollop which will stop any infection developing.
Let us know how you get on.
Ha ha really??
Will it irritate my skin though?
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Hello Talli
I think it's very hard for anyone to advise you apart from your GP or the nurse who can actually see what's going on.. it does sound like there might be several issues at play though. I once had a sebaceous cyst on my vulva (in my early 40s) which was very uncomfortable and took several weeks to resolve itself even with a prescribed antibiotic cream. It looked like a small pimple as I recall, but was very uncomfortable. Sitz baths of warm water and a little salt helped resolve the problem back then for me, but it did take what felt like an age to settle down. I really think maybe you need to get it all looked at again if it doesn't show any sign of getting any better soon and ask if you can see someone who can assess it properly (vulvoscopy). Maybe cut out using the 'yes' for a while if you can as that might be irritating whatever is going on right now? I hope you get some answers and relief soon. X
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Hello Talli
I think it's very hard for anyone to advise you apart from your GP or the nurse who can actually see what's going on.. it does sound like there might be several issues at play though. I once had a sebaceous cyst on my vulva (in my early 40s) which was very uncomfortable and took several weeks to resolve itself even with a prescribed antibiotic cream. It looked like a small pimple as I recall, but was very uncomfortable. Sitz baths of warm water and a little salt helped resolve the problem back then for me, but it did take what felt like an age to settle down. I really think maybe you need to get it all looked at again if it doesn't show any sign of getting any better soon and ask if you can see someone who can assess it properly (vulvoscopy). Maybe cut out using the 'yes' for a while if you can as that might be irritating whatever is going on right now? I hope you get some answers and relief soon. X
Thank you for your message :)
Yes I think if it dosnt settle soon I’m going to have to go back to the drs as it’s driving me crazy.
I have seen a dr and she wasn’t bothered but the sore skin is getting worse so I might have to go back and pester ::)
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Good idea to go back and say you are still in pain. Hopefully the Dr will be helpful.
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I meant to add that my own personal view is that it is probably a good idea not to add anything else into the mix (ovestin, tea tree oil, savlon etc) unless your GP/nurse has advised this.. if it is more of a dermatological reaction (from the trimmer perhaps) I'd say maybe its a good idea to leave off trying anything else topical for now.. it is such a sensitive area that even the slightest irritation seems magnified ten-fold or at least that's how I often feel!
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'savlon' is exactly for those types of spots, soreness, to avoid a chance of infection. Anything to ease any irritation. Too many ABs are being handed out like sweeties these days.
Or sit in a well salted cool bath .........
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I completely agree with Jane's advice here, adding more treatment to the mix might not help your situation.
Best to see the GP again before trying to sort it all out yourself, but please let us know how you get on :)
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Thanks everyone!
I agree with what you say, I’ll wait till I can see a gp/nurse to do anything different.
Thanks for all your messages :)
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As Jane_w says, could it be a sebaceous cyst? Is it possible that a pore/gland whatever has become blocked with the cetreban maybe?
I too have had one on my inner labia and boy was it painful. My GP lanced it and the relief was immediate.
Hope you get to the bottom of it.
Xx
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My doctor told me that she's getting more cases of women going with infections where they have shaven etc and there's a reason we have pubic hair. i once had an ingrowing hair after hair removal for my swimsuit. It became sore. Has your doctor taken vaginal swabs too? I wouldn't use anything new until you've checked back with your doctor
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Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post but I’m on Vagifem and I take it every night.
Recently I’ve been getting little painless white head pimples (sorry tmi :o ) on my vulva and it’s been super red and blotchy and sore. Seen a dr and she gave me antibiotics for the spot but it hasn’t gone away and the rest of my bits are agonising with the itch and soreness. No one wants to help :(
They won’t give steroid cream as she said it’ll make the spot worse.
My urethra is irritated and I feel like I need to pee all the time!
Last night I got desperate and took two Vagifem at the same time. :-\
Any advice greatly appreciated!!!
Edit: I’ve also just started taking thyroxine for under active thyroid
Could the white pimple be this:
Fordyce spots are yellow-white, red, or skin-colored oil glands. These painless, harmless vaginal bumps can appear on the vulva. They can also appear on your face, on the cheek and lips. Although it’s unknown why Fordyce spots appear, these bumps are natural and noninfectious, and they don’t cause any negative health effects. They do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns.
Your doctor doesn't seem concerned about the spot and if it's not causing you any pain or irritation I wouldn't worry about it.
As for the soreness I would stop using everything but the Vagifem. I can't tolerate YES VM it burns and causes red soreness inside and out, I'm ok with the YES WB though. Not all products suit everyone.
See how you are after a couple of days, just wash with warm water once a day and nothing else.
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Hi,
It may be useful to stop everything for a few days.
This was advised by a vulval dermatologist. This will give the skin and vagina time to recover, if it is reacting to everything.
It depends where the soreness and the spot is. Is the spot on the vulval skin , or inside the vagina?
The vulva ( outside) can behave differently from the vagina ( inside). Deal with each area seperately.
Outside the vulval skin can be irritated with what you put inside. Cytolitic vaginosis which is basically over growth of good bacteria can cause vulval soreness, as the secretions become acidic . Unfortunately most Gp's do not know about cytolitic vaginosis.
. The skin on the vulva becomes thin and delicate over time just like the rest of the body.
Use a bland ointment base ( not cream) like hydromol to wash and protect the skin. If it is dry inflammed and sore a steriod ointment can be prescribed for 3 weeks use to calm the skin. Only a tiny ammount is needed.
The vagina can also react to anything you put inside. Go knickerless if you can - no baths just showers.
Try you local GUM clinic and get tested for overgrowth of lactobacilli/ cytolitic vaginosis as this requires an immediate swob and micoscope to diagnose.
Yes VM gel can be very useful for some as it is PH similar.
I would advise against putting loads of things in or on the area as less in more when dealing with the vulva and vagina.
Gp's are not vaginal and vulval experts - you require a vulval dermatologist and a proper diagnosis.
PMx
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Just popped on to say thank you SO MUCH for everyone’s input!
I have an appointment booked for Monday with my local GUM clinic doctor.
I’ve seen her before and she’s really good so hopefully that’ll shed some light on things.
As you’ve all said I’m not going to do anything different until I’ve seen her.
Thank you all again!
I’ll update once I’ve seen her :)
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It is great you have an appointment and you know the person is going to be helpful. I will await the update. :)
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Hello lovely ladies, just popping on to say I had my app and the Dr. was lovely.
Apparently I had a really bad case of thrush :o ::) Actualy dr.s words were “You have a whacking great load of candida all over the slide” and “I’ve not seen an infection that bad in a while”
Cue me feeling awful/embarassed/generaly gross lol.
Anyway, she’s given me a tablet and some cream and the go ahead to self treat if I get it at another time, which is great because I was previously told not to self treat because of my lichen sclerosis.
So a good outcome and thank you all for your help!
Oh and she also said it was fine for me to take Vagifem every night too so double win! :D
Thank you everyone again!
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Hello lovely ladies, just popping on to say I had my app and the Dr. was lovely.
Apparently I had a really bad case of thrush :o ::) Actualy dr.s words were “You have a whacking great load of candida all over the slide” and “I’ve not seen an infection that bad in a while”
Cue me feeling awful/embarassed/generaly gross lol.
Anyway, she’s given me a tablet and some cream and the go ahead to self treat if I get it at another time, which is great because I was previously told not to self treat because of my lichen sclerosis.
So a good outcome and thank you all for your help!
Oh and she also said it was fine for me to take Vagifem every night too so double win! :D
Thank you everyone again!
That's great. And good to hear another GP saying localised estrogen is OK nightly
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Yes I thought that too.
She wasn’t a GP exactly but a consultant at a Sexual Health clinic and she’s so good!
Really clued up!
She’s the one who got me started on localised estrogen and when gps wouldn’t let me up it from 2 a week to 4 a week wrote them a very strongly worded letter hee hee.
She’s amazing :)
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Well done! There seems to be a 'lot of it about' = Candida.
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Well done! There seems to be a 'lot of it about' = Candida.
Thanks :) I’m so glad I went.
It’s horrible this candida business. I asked if it was down to hygiene because I’m so particular about being clean “down there” but she said it wasn’t and was most likely going to happen anyway but the ABs made it worse .
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I am so pleased to hear the appointment went well. You have nothing to be embarrassed about though. Thrush is not caused due to a lack of hygiene. I tend to get thrush after having antibiotics. I really hope it clears up soon.
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Did she suggest LIVE yoghurt - eating it regularly will cleanse the gut from top to bottom - mayB eat it once you've used the candida treatment. Replaces bacteria that ABs strip from the gut.
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I am so pleased to hear the appointment went well. You have nothing to be embarrassed about though. Thrush is not caused due to a lack of hygiene. I tend to get thrush after having antibiotics. I really hope it clears up soon.
Thank you for your comment. I felt so gross in there ::)
She said it might have been the ABs that made it worse.
Thanks again :)
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Did she suggest LIVE yoghurt - eating it regularly will cleanse the gut from top to bottom - mayB eat it once you've used the candida treatment. Replaces bacteria that ABs strip from the gut.
No she didn’t mention live yogurt!
I’ll try that!
I do take Super Pro 20 from Healthspan which supposedly has a lot of ‘good bacteria’ in it but I’ll definitely try the live yogurt. Probably less expensive too lol
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Once you've completed the thrush treatment.
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Once you've completed the thrush treatment.
Yes will do once I’ve finished the treatment :)
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Do you think they will start putting limitations on prescriptions once more women learn about VA and start to use it and women use it more often? I'm using it every other night and ovestin externally every night. I still have a niggle that it's too much.
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It actually says in the NICE guidelines for doctors to increase the dosage as needed. Some just dont read that and sometimes have to be shown. VA is not new, women have been using Ovestin since the 80's, it's just never been talked about.
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It actually says in the NICE guidelines for doctors to increase the dosage as needed. Some just dont read that and sometimes have to be shown. VA is not new, women have been using Ovestin since the 80's, it's just never been talked about.
Yes my doctor told me. I still am not using vagifem every day but using ovestin daily.
I'm thinking of the cost of increase in use.