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AIBU?

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AIBU to question a lactational atrophy diagnosis that is not improving?

28 replies

ZippyBlueViper · 30/05/2026 16:42

10 months pp, breastfeeding and periods haven't returned, im 34. Since dd was 4 weeks been having awful vaginal symptoms. Burning, stinging, itching, hurts to wee, sex is a no go, constantly feels like I've got damp underwear. It's affecting my mood massively because i feel uncomfortable and disgusting most days. I'll randomly get the odd couple of days where i feel like i have a normal vagina but 99% of the time awful.
Been to gp and they said low oestrogen it's lactational atrophy and prescribed oestrogen cream to use once a fortnight.
Went back and they upped to weekly.
Went back upped to daily.
Went back said it is what it is and will take time.
Went back asked for a different gp for second opinion. They said same it's lactational atrophy.
I queried with both doctors could it be lichen sclerosus. Both have said no.
My question is if it is lactational atrophy why isn't it getting better with the oestrogen cream?
Can anyone who has suffered with either lactational atrophy or lichen sclerosus explain what it was like for them?
Aibu in thinking the doctor has got this diagnosis wrong?

OP posts:
Bananas52 · 31/05/2026 01:06

I have, but was given oestrogen pessaries instead of oestrogen cream. It helped, however, did not completely clear the symptoms I was experiencing. I stopped breast feeding almost two years ago, and am still suffering with it, so you have my sympathies. I’m not sure if mine never fully recovered as I have the mirena coil.
I do often question the diagnosis as it was never looked into properly and even now they just shrug and reissue the pessaries.

ZippyBlueViper · 30/05/2026 23:36

Tested for bv and thrush, negative, sti negative. They're saying it's all due to breastfeeding but i don't get why it's not improving with the prescribed cream if that's the case ☹️

OP posts:
couch25kagain · 30/05/2026 23:11

Did they test for anything or just assume? Could it be BV? Or an STI? I am not familiar with vaginal atrophy but they should be working hard to address your symptoms since they have been affecting your life so negatively for so long. I would seek further diagnostic tests and potentially complain to the practice. Sorry you’re dealing with this.