Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: HippyChickkie on March 28, 2025, 12:19:43 PM
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Hi
Hoping someone can help
Started HRT back in feb
Progesterone & Ostregel
Got vagirux pesseries and ostregen cream due to constant to uti & dryness and pain with sex on entering snd non stop uti like cystitis
Seemed to be going well on the HRT still a bit itchy outside and dry inside but better ( no sex as I had cosmetic surgery and was on antibiotic for a few weeks )
Had sex beginning of March with my husband and boom almost instantly
Constant itchiness and thrush started up a next day but no symptoms apart from the itchiness / dryness but definitely thrush symptoms
Had sex two weeks later and still
Been like it for almost 3 weeks now
Taken caneston / oral pills cream feels really dry and tight
Still taking the HRT but I’m at a loss at the dryness and itchiness on the outside
It’s no matter what I try lube dosent keep me wet very much it’s like it drys up within a few mins
I have a doctors appointment next week ( my doc is a HRT specialist and lovely )
But any ideas on how to get rid of this itchiness / dryness
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It does sound like you're not using the pessaries and Estriol cream regularly enough.
How often are you using these? Please don't say that your GP has only prescribed 2 per week. :cuss:
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Hi,
go to a sexual health clinic and get a swob done for thrush, cytolitic vaginosis and Bacterial vaginosis etc . Don't through thrush treatment or anything else at it until you know what it is. The antibiotics may have upset your microbiome. You probably need to get tested for UTI if you have symptoms also.
Wash without soap, or use hydromol ointment , use Yes VM on the outside to relieve itchiness.
Once everything is ruled in or out, consider using estrogen cream on the outside to strengthen the tissues and vagifem inside.
Consider refraining from sex perhaps until you get things a bit more under control. Maybe look up smart strains vaginal probiotics or there are other makes out there.
Pmx
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Thank you
I did the loading dose for the pesseries and I’m taking them every other day
My doctor is fab and gave me everything I asked for
And I am using the estrogen cream both externally and internally as I’ve read on here
I’ve got the blue water based
Yes VM but even that dosent help much
Thank you will go and get tests for Thurs / bv and the rest
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If the itchiness is on the outside only, read up on Lichen Sclerosus and ask your GP if it might be LS. Symptoms can be very similar to thrush with intense itching, tearing at the '6 o'clock' position at vagina entrance and can also cause white patches on the vulval skin.
This is a good, reliable source of info: https://www.lichensclerosusguide.org.uk/
Might not be LS at all but def worth considering if it feels like thrush externally but normal treatments aren't helping.
Suzie
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Dryness, tightness and itchiness all point to not enough local oestrogen being used. As does the after-sex symptoms you describe.
By all means get tested for everything if you feel the need but you'll probably find that an increase in pessaries and cream will settle everything down again. :)
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Thank you