Help with vaginal dryness! (and soreness and itching)

[nothereagain]

This has been going on for a year now and I am sick of it. GP have given me ostrogen creams, thrush treatment and fungal treatment. It sometimes gets better for a bit but then gets worse again.

I'm fucking sick of it. I'm 47 so guess it could be menopause coming but GP says I have no other signs of this.

I am really sore and dry right now!

Can anyone recommend a good vaginal moisturiser or other treatment? Or any suggestions as to what might be going on?

Try an emollient cream like Oilatum. I use this and it is quite good. Olive oil can be good too.

Thanks - is that specifically for the vulva/ vagina?

Have you been tested for diabetes? Vaginal dryness is one of the things that is common among prediabetics and diabetics.

Don’t stick olive oil up your vagina. That would only mask what is going on, give you temporary relief but ultimately could worsen things.

Have you been tested for diabetes? Vaginal dryness is one of the things that is common among prediabetics and diabetics

No I haven't. Maybe I should google to see if I have any other symptons. I am slim and pretty fit and eat well so never considered that may be something I could get (not that I know much about diabetes).

@nothereagain

Thanks - is that specifically for the vulva/ vagina?

Yes - Oilatum is for Eczema and very dry skin and fine to use it on the vulva. Also Replens is a specific vaginal moisturiser for internal use.

@PlanDeRaccordement

Don’t stick olive oil up your vagina. That would only mask what is going on, give you temporary relief but ultimately could worsen things.

No I didn't mean to use it internally but it is good externally.

I was going to ask about diabetes too. Your urine can have more sugar in it which can cause this.

You can develop Type 2 diabetes even when slim and fit. 10-15% of people who develop it are a healthy weight/slim.

You might benefit from Hrt - doctors often know little about the menopause and won’t prescribe HRT for peri menopause but it can certainly help. Google the Newson health clinic - it’s a specialist menopause clinic, lots of free online resources. I am 40 and have lots of autoimmune conditions and saw Dr Boden there (remotely) and she prescribed oestrogel and utrogestan and it’s made a huge difference to all my issues (I get it prescribed through the NHS on her recommendations- cost me £250 for an initial appointment). One of my main issues was vaginal atrophy and it’s really helped that. I also use Ovestin cream and Replens creams every other day alternately.

Thanks Bagelsandbrie! That's great - I will look up that Clinic!

Ask for pessaries.

Thanks @Tier10, do you mean lubricating pessaries? Do these exist? Or another type?

Op is the itching external or internal? And if external does the area have any changes in colour / texture?

Yes vaginal pessaries. I find them useful if I’m doing exercise as this increases the symptoms you mentioned.

Tier10 That is really interesting what you say about the exercise as I did start to do more exercise before all this started.

@OrangePlumGrape Kinda just on the beginning on internal I would say - sometimes just under the clitoral hood, but mainly just inside the vagina or at the labia.

For relief I recommend these. They won't cure the problem long term of course but they will stop you wanting to rip yourself to shreds. They've been a lifesaver.

www.chemist-4-u.com/vagisil-itch-relief-intimate-pack-of-12-wipes?gclid=CjwKCAiA6aSABhApEiwA6Cbm_0oDoW8VXbuyjPizJxuGQ-_2F-v93KmGaP_nV1FdAGPD2gw9d8BIqhoCX5oQAvD_BwE

I had this - turned out to be severe vaginal atrophy. Doctor prescribed vagifem pessaries and they were like a miracle.

If you need oestrogen for vaginal atrophy you need it permanently, not occasionally. If oestrogen cream relieves the symptoms when you use it, you have your answer.
Vagifem pessaries are much easier and less messy. At 47, I would think perimenopause and vaginal atrophy is the most likely diagnosis.

I have just been prescribed Vagifem from my doctor. Too early days yet to know if it is going to work [ I really hope so ]. It may be worth asking your GP to prescribe this.

Fewer baths with harsh soaps or bubble baths while the other meds do their work may help?

Cotton knickers, no nylon tights?

I recommend reading the book My Menopausal Vagina, she covers itching and dryness etc in there and recommends some creams.

I have this too I’m 48 and use hrt patches and utrogestan however I also need to use 2 vagifem 3 x per week. If I slip and miss a few doses I suffer. Consistency and commitment are key to atrophy I’m afraid! Also I use yes! Oil based lubricant before sex which is brilliant - I use the individual little tubes and just squirt it up there

I’m 33 and have the start of dryness / itching but I’ve ignored for a bit thinking it’s been maybe stress related with lockdown.

I should probably make a GP appointment but it’s good to know some of the creams that are good

Thanks everyone. I think the vaginal atrophy/ start of menopause is the most likely cause, and I don't really understand why the GP doesn't think it is. One did an examination and said there was some pinking which can show the start of menopause.
The other suggestion is thrush, and I did have a swab that showed some bacteria or something recently, but I've had loads of thrush treatments and they just aren't working.
I'm waiting for a Gynae appt but that will take forever!