Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Padine on January 02, 2026, 11:57:25 PM
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I’m 66, post-meno for 7-8 years and a year ago I had bleeding like a mini period. Blood smeared clear discharge day 1, half a teaspoonful of red blood days 2 and 3, more blood smeared discharge for a couple of days and that was it. I was terrified but thought I’d wait to see if it happened again.
It did 9 weeks later, then another 9 weeks after that so went to my GP, referral to gynaecology unit at hospital, run by senior nurses (much less anxiety and less stressful). Cut a long story short, had a TV scan and other investigations, and it’s all down to extreme dryness. Nurse recommended YES moisturiser which I now use.
I’m wondering if anyone else has (or had) this problem and what do you use? I thought I would leak the Yes out but it seems to suck it all up! I guess there’s a long way to go before it’s less dry.
Haven’t tried intercourse yet, I’m a bit worried but maybe after a full month of moisturising things will be better? 🤞
My GP prescribed Ovestin about 2 years ago but that made me bleed a lot, so I didn’t want to try any other estrogen cream or pessaries. I’m on Tibilone HRT.
I was terrified initially with the bleeding last year but pleased that this had a happy ending! Does anyone have a similar experience of atrophy and what product works best?
Thanks!
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My experience is that moisturisers just cover it up but the skin is still dry, it was only oestrogen that led to recovery of the tissues (mine was worse outside than in). My advice would be to try oestrogen cream loading dose for long enough for the tissues to recover. There are pessaries too but if your va is really bad then cream seems to absorb better. They say without oestrogen it will only get worse but it was too uncomfortable for me to test the theory! More systemic oestrogen would be another option though I think it isn't possible on tiboline.
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If the vaginal walls are very dry and thin they may well bleed on contact. Initially don't push the VA product into the vagina too high, allow the tissues to soak up slowly.
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Now that you know the bleeding wasn't due to anything sinister why not try the oestrogen cream again, its the only remedy that will help with atrophy. Once the tissues are plumped up, which can take up to four months, you should feel a lot better.
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Thanks for all your advice, it makes sense. The Senior nurse suggested a review of the HRT and I have GP appointment on Tuesday to go over the appointment’s findings.
Thank you again.
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Had review meeting with my GP today and the new regime is to have an eostrogen HRT patch twice weekly, Ovestin cream, Sylk moisturiser and YES lubricant.
As for dosage on patch, just a case of try and see how it goes and another appointment in 6 weeks.
I’ve been feeling so low for the last year and I felt like this 15 years ago (I was 51) at the start of menopause. GP is sure my mood is hormone related-I think so too.
Are the patches effective?(waterproof, sticky and stay put, where is best to put them? I have no experience of them whatsoever but hoping this will work!
Thanks ladies!