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Author Topic: Labial tissue  (Read 3576 times)

TizzyWizz

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Labial tissue
« on: September 03, 2024, 11:09:44 AM »

Hi everyone, I’m new here.
I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by my symptoms and have been going round in circles for 5 years. So I’m hoping for a few pointers. 🤞🏼
Long story short, there seems to be issues getting my HRT right (I had some bleeding with it so it’s been stop/start/swap) and in the interim I have now developed extremely sore labial tissue. So bad that I’ve been up at night the last two nights with the burning sensation. The skin is dry and irritated and my vulva moisturising oil has only a very short term effect.
Is it perhaps time for me to give up on the NHS and sign up for the Newson clinic?
Any advice gratefully received, I feel awful down below and it’s really affecting my mood.
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CLKD

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2024, 11:14:03 AM »

Hi.  This may well be the start of vaginal atrophy which will be relived by appropriate treatment from the GP.  Usually 'vagifem' pessary is prescribed which is inserted into the vagina: gently: for 2-3 weeks every night.  After which it's a bit trial and error finding out how often it is required.  Some use 'estriol' as well on the outer labia/vulva.

I use 'estriol'/ovestin internally with a smear around the labia to stop the area getting dry and itchy.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out  ::)

Have U told the GP/Nurse practitioner about your dryness? 
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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2024, 12:04:29 PM »

Thanks CLKD!
You might be right on the trial/error…I was put on 2 weeks intensive vagifem pessary by an gynae and then told to go down to twice weekly and I think I need more. So I think I will try increasing again.
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Ayesha

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2024, 12:24:11 PM »

Gosh, more rubbish advice from the people who should know about these things.
Latest guidelines and quotes from the Position statement for management of GSM (Vaginal Atrophy)

“Studies have shown that around 70% of women have symptoms of GSM, yet only 7% receive treatment.
Women should be offered an examination and their decision to accept it or not needs to be respected.
The clinical response to treatment with topical oestrogen is usually rapid and sustained.
Women should also be advised that the information packaged with vaginal hormone preparations is out of date and factually incorrect. This needs to be changed by the MHRA.
The dose of vaginal oestrogen is very low, for example, using 10mcg oestrogen pessaries regularly for one year is an equivalent dose to just one 1mg of oestradiol HRT tablet.
If symptoms do not improve with vaginal oestrogen, consider increasing the dose, changing preparation (and consider DHEA) or using an additional treatment such as systemic HRT or two local treatments.
The frequency of using these preparations can be increased in women who have persistent symptoms as the doses of these preparations are very low.
Vaginal oestrogens can often improve urinary symptoms, including urinary infections.
Some women use vaginal oestrogen preparations more frequently than the recommended dose to improve symptoms sufficiently, for example Vagifem alternate days instead of twice a week. It is safe to use the treatment in this way as the dose is very low.
Women should be reassured that it is safe for topical oestrogen to continue in the long term (medication should be on a repeat prescription). Women should continue to be reassured about the long- term safety of vaginal oestrogen preparations."

The full pdf document to print off to put you fully in the picture and in charge of your treatment.
https://bssm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GSM-BSSM.pdf


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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2024, 01:39:10 PM »

Wow Ayesha, yes this was a private experienced gynae I saw in June.
This GSM leaflet is illuminating!
I’m already benefitting hugely from sharing my experience more here than I have with the medics in the last year.
I’m going to go back to daily vagifem and then try a slow reduction to ascertain exactly the level I need.
I am also going to make an appt with Newson Health…
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CLKD

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2024, 02:21:05 PM »

Gynaes  ::)

Let us know how you get on with your new regime.
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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2024, 06:24:08 PM »

Started applying cetraban cream and upping the vagifem, noticing some relief already…got a culture and urine sample lined up to rule out any infection next….
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CLKD

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2024, 06:25:47 PM »

tnx.  Stick with that for a while, don't use too many products or U won't know what is working ;-)
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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2024, 08:22:22 PM »

I agree.
I also feel adding in vaginal moisturiser is only worth it if oestrogen is adequately replaced otherwise body cannot absorb the moisturiser - would you agree?
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Ayesha

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2024, 07:25:16 PM »

No, don't think it matters one way or another as a moisturiser will do what is says it will do. I always use a moisturiser with my daily Vagifem and Estriol cream because both products have a drying consistency. They all work very well together.
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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2024, 09:01:22 PM »

Hi Ayesha, are you using the oestrogen cream by inserting vaginally or applying it to labia, or both?
And the moisturiser- again vaginally or around labia or both?
Thanks!
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Ayesha

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2024, 09:52:25 PM »

My regime for the last four years is Vagifem daily, a pea sized amount of Estriol applied with moisturiser twice daily smeared on the outside only, a tube will last me three months.
I was at a very bad stage of GSM, for instance not being able to do anything physical like gardening as it caused extreme pain and being unable to sit down but now I am symptom free.

We are all different and this is what works for me but reading the posts here its not an easy ride for a lot of women, I feel very lucky that the treatments work well for me.

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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2024, 06:29:07 AM »

Thanks for your reply!
I’m so glad you found a solution. It was because you posted the GSM position statement that I am now course correcting. I started daily vagifem that same day. I’m using cetraben to moisturise the labia. I’m going to add in things in stages so that I can see what is working.

What moisturiser are you using please?

Thanks again Ayesha x
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Ayesha

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2024, 09:06:47 AM »

I am using YES VM and again no problems with it. Sylk is another good moisturiser but it doesn't seem widely available anymore, for convenience I buy Yes on Amazon.

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TizzyWizz

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Re: Labial tissue
« Reply #14 on: September 10, 2024, 09:52:56 AM »

Thanks.  I’ve been on Replens in past but I am thinking to try Yes as an alternative, to see if any difference.
Are you also taking systemic HRT?
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