Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Ann c on February 15, 2025, 03:05:57 PM
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Hi all I have been suffering from VA for a number of years now, Trying to deal with it when I have a flare up with the usual burning and itching,
My GP has prescribed steroid creams and I use Vagifem.
I have recently had a flare up in desperation after using the steroid creams I tried sudocreme for 3 weeks now and it seems to be working touch wood . It might be worth giving it a try if it doesn’t work for you it won’t do you any harm
Hope this may help
Ann C
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Are you on systemic HRT and how often are you using topical treatment?
I find with any flare up it helps to increase the dose of topical oestrogen until the flare eases.
Sudocreme and Zinc and caster oil cream have their place and are soothing for the odd itch down there.
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Thank you Ayesha
Yes when I have a flare up I do increase my HRT and creams my GP prescribed,
My GPs advise is keep using them until it settles down, I am not sure how long other people’s flare ups last mine sometimes lasts for up to 3 months.
All I know is since I have started to use the Sudocreme cream twice a day the vast majority of my symptoms have eased, including the unbearable burning,
I am not sure why it is working for me and I don’t know how long it will last but at the moment 🤞 good
I just wanted to see if anyone else had used it and if it helped,
Take care and thank you
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U can use VA treatment every night if necessary for ever.
When I have a flare up I add an extra 'estriol' in the morning to the 3-5 days loading - that works for me.
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Three months is a long time to have a flare up, mine are rare these days and will only last a week with the help of extra treatment.
It really does demonstrate how very individualised the condition is and how we all have to find what works for us. Glad that Sudocreme is having a good effect, long may it last.
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Treat Her - your vulva and vagina - with TLC. Lots of gentle application of the sudacrem and treatments. When my symptoms niggle I swallow Nurofen 3 times a day to ease the nip as the urine flow shuts off.
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Rather than lurching from flare up to flare up, why not use a higher dose all the time so you stay stable and symptom-free?
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I have VA and gynaecologist prescribed estriol 0.1% plus use dialators, but have not used them consistently so having to start again. I have been using Replens for 5 years but last week had the most horrible reaction, red, burning even swelling. Anyone else had similar. Just need to settle this down and start on estriol again but have just got YES VM so will try that. Appointment with Gynaecologist March.
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Hello Pandorra - Replens won't replace the oestrogen lost due to a drop in levels. VA can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms but appropriate treatment will ease symptoms.
Estriol 0.1% should work used every night for at least 3 weeks. Sometimes I need to add an extra dose mid-afternoon and take some Nurofen should symptoms niggle. Sometimes Pandorra treatment has to be every night for a long time to avoid symptoms returning. Don't wait 'until things settle down', get it up there tonight ;-). YES VM is for the outer area to keep it soft and less itchy.
Why a Gynae., they often don't know much about peri-menopause and VA. Let us know how you get on, mayB start your own thread?
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Hello Pandorra - Replens has nasties in it! Also it won't replace the oestrogen lost due to a drop in levels. VA can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms but appropriate treatment will ease symptoms.
Estriol 0.1% should work used every night for at least 3 weeks. Sometimes I need to add an extra dose mid-afternoon and take some Nurofen should symptoms niggle. Sometimes Pandorra treatment has to be every night for a long time to avoid symptoms returning. Don't wait 'until things settle down', get it up there tonight ;-). YES VM is for the outer area to keep it soft and less itchy.
Why a Gynae., they often don't know much about peri-menopause and VA. Let us know how you get on, mayB start your own thread?
What "nasties" are in Replens? I've used the applicator version for years (on NHS prescription) specifically because it is free of hormones and parabens.
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What have U been prescribed it for Terri123 ? U R lucky not to B affected, many women find that it causes many problems and won't replace oestrogen lost = atrophy.
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I have had Replens and Yes VM applicators on NHS prescription for over 15 years for VA caused by chemotherapy-induced menopause at a relatively young age. Yes VM is also used internally and is not just for the "outer area" as per your earlier post.
Obviously Replens won't replace oestrogen, it's hormone-free!
I'm still interested to know what "nasties" you think are contained in Replens.
It would be a shame if any long-term users of Replens were to be alarmed by your as yet unsubstantiated claim that it contains "nasties".
Having had ER+ breast cancer I have had advice from my suitably qualified medical team not to use HRT or any hormonal treatments. Replens (and Yes) applicators have kept me comfortable and infection-free for 15+ years.
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I get tired of reading on this forum that Gynaes no nothing about menopause issues, its how I was diagnosed with GSM by my wonderful gynae GP.
Nothing wrong with Replens if you get on with it and any other feminine moisturiser on the market. I used it for a while but then decided to go for the more plant based moisturiser like Yes and Sylk, its all a choice.
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I get tired of reading on this forum that Gynaes no nothing about menopause issues, its how I was diagnosed with GSM by my wonderful gynae GP.
Nothing wrong with Replens if you get on with it and any other feminine moisturiser on the market. I used it for a while but then decided to go for the more plant based moisturiser like Yes and Sylk, its all a choice.
I couldn't agree more, in my experience, doctors in UK who have gynae qualifications e.g. MRCOG, have been helpful to me in dealing with menopause symptoms including VA.
I also obtain Yes VM applicators on prescription and 'mix and match' with Replens applicators. I was introduced to Sylk by my superb Breast Cancer Specialist Nurse and obtained it on prescription thereafter. Sylk is great and I was most vexed when it was unavailable for a protracted period a while ago.
Yep, it's all a matter of making well-informed choices guided by suitably qualified professionals.
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FWIW, on medical advice (and prescription) I also use Epimax cream as a soap substitute and topical application to alleviate external dryness associated with VA.
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I have had Replens and Yes VM applicators on NHS prescription for over 15 years for VA caused by chemotherapy-induced menopause at a relatively young age. Yes VM is also used internally and is not just for the "outer area" as per your earlier post.
Obviously Replens won't replace oestrogen, it's hormone-free!
I'm still interested to know what "nasties" you think are contained in Replens.
It would be a shame if any long-term users of Replens were to be alarmed by your as yet unsubstantiated claim that it contains "nasties".
Having had ER+ breast cancer I have had advice from my suitably qualified medical team not to use HRT or any hormonal treatments. Replens (and Yes) applicators have kept me comfortable and infection-free for 15+ years.
Terri123, this is really interesting that you have found the non hormonal treatments really effective. When you say they've kept you "infection free " do you mean uti symptoms? I have been off HRT for over a year now and I'm ok apart from the dryness....particularly VA. I use yes WB and I've just started using dr wolf vsan. I don't want to use anything hormonal....purely my choice and each to their own. I really wish their was a non hormonal treatment that worked....maybe I don't use it often enough.
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Obviously I'm not able to compare with hormonal treatments having never used them but, in my experience, Replens and Yes applicators have helped enormously with VA and I've never had a UTI or any urinary discomfort or issues so I assume they're helping on that front too.
I use either a Replens or a Yes applicator 5 days out of 7, small splodge of Epimax externally first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Sylk for intimacy. This regime works for me. I'm glad it's all obtainable on NHS prescription or I'd be spending a fortune!
I received lots of good advice and support from my GP (MRCOG) who also referred me on to gynae consultant and specialist nurse (partly because GP was unable to obtain satisfactory cervical smear). Hospital staff also very good with practical suggestions and great attitude as regards how upsetting VA can be.
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Thank you Terri123, appreciate your input.
My smear test is due so I'm trying to prepare myself as the last 2 were quite painful and the nurse was lucky to be able to do them.
I'd never had a uti until 15 months ago so it's quite a shock when you suddenly get one along with blood in the urine. Everything was fine and all sorted now apart from mainly the VA and all the symptoms along with that. The joys of menopause 🤦♀️