45, sore vagina... Any recommendations?

[AmethystDeceiver]

Sorry for the blunt title but I know I'm not the only one. I will see a doctor but appointments are hard to come by and maybe there is an OTC remedy?

I just have general soreness lately. It's not itchy, no discharge, not like thrush, just sore. And different. Things are changing down there and I'm not sure what to do. I don't think I want hrt yet, my general health and well being is still fine(ish). Is there anything topical that anyone would recommend?

I'm really fighting the urge to apologize for posting this so instead I'll just say thanks in advance!

It's possible to have oestrogen cream that you just apply to the vulva, it works locally but doesn't get into your system like full HRT.

Topical oestrogen is often needed for vaginal dryness, soreness, skin thinning/splitting inside and out, urinary issues - all associated with menopause.

You can get the topical oestrogen as cream or pessaries. Some women find HRT alone is enough; many need topical as well. Pop on over to the menopause board and you’ll get good advice.

Thank you. I'll research that - I feel like I don't even know what to ask Google for, so that's helpful

Omg the skin can split 😭

Topical oestrogen, it comes as a cream pessary, tablet pessary or external cream. Doesn't carry the same risk as "full" hrt. Don't risk vaginal atrophy, it's a miserable condition.
All with the caveat that you get a swab to check it isn't thrush or other things.

Replens Vaginal Moisturiser saved my sanity a few years ago.

My GP suggested using it daily for a week. This worked really well. Nowadays I use it about once every six weeks.

My GP also gave me HRT which has changed things for the better.

Replens MD Longer Lasting Vaginal Moisturiser - (35g) Link

Or you can get it on prescription which is free here in Scotland.

Oh my sweet summer child, that is the least of your worries if severe vaginal atrophy sets in.

Estriol cream stopped years of misery for me. I could barely leave the house. It’s truly like a miracle

This is all so helpful, thank you. Wondering if I should just buy the replens linked above before trying to see the gp...

I find these really helpful. You use them every night for 5 nights, then twice a week. I use them alongside oestrogen pessaries, on different nights.

😭😭😭

Vagifem or equivalent. We should all be on it over a a certain age really. Your doc will know exactly what's going on, this is normal. The vaginal area really suffers the loss of oestrogen - vaginal atrophy, UTIs, all sorts can be avoided if you put the oestrogen back. It's totally localised so not really HRT. I get what you mean by sore - I had stopped wearing jeans as it had just become uncomfortable sitting down. All good now.

That seems like what I need/ want. Many thanks 🙏

Replens MD was recommended by my doctor and worked for me.

It’s a moisturiser. It may relieve the symptoms but at some point you’ll lack oestrogen and need the topical to replace it.

Lots of women use both a vaginal moisturiser (and I’m sorry if this is the first time in your life you’re reading those two words together) plus the topical oestrogen.

There is absolutely no benefit in delaying it and only downside. It's not like you can only be on it for a few years, or any risk builds up over time with use. It's totally localised, totally safe and we'll be on it for life!

If you haven't seen a doc yet and aren't sure it's definitely peri, could be worth trying the self test BV test. About 8 quid from Boots. If it's not thrush, it could still be BV (really common and not always a smell). Very easy to treat if it's that. I saw they also do 'Menopause' tests fairly cheaply the other today. No idea if they're up to much - other posters may know :)

You’re welcome, I buy mine on Amazon.

I'm 56 and post menopausal. I went to my doctor the other day as I had a very sore spot that kept growing. Turned out to be an infected cyst. I also mentioned te sore skin and she did an examination. I have shrinkage......she prescribed some stuff to replump me lady bits.... hopefully

Earlier this year I started to get pain down below. Sometimes it was a pinching, sometimes an ache, sometimes burned, sometimes itchy. Sometimes all of this at once. It has been months and months of torture. Around the opening to my vagina initially but ended up being all over my vulva too. My urethra also didn’t feel right and I ended up with a couple of persistent UTI’s.

I have no idea what has helped overall but things are significantly better now and this is what I use:

• estriol cream prescribed by GP. Initially used daily for two weeks then twice per week. Used internally and applied using my finger.
• I went to a women’s physio and she found I was tight on one side - I started exercises 3-5 days per week.
• I use Yes! Vaginal moisturiser.
• d-mannose for the urethral/UTI sensation and issues.
• women’s pro biotic

Dont suffer in silence - by all means start a vaginal moisturiser but it wont be enough if this is due to lack of oestrogen. Make an appointment with your GP.

Oh lord no I had never really thought that one day my vagina would be need moisturizing, so thanks to the kind posters for pointing that one out! She's been through a lot, I guess it's time for the pamper stage

Ok I've changed my tune and am going to see if I can get an appointment after all. At least I know what to discuss. Vaginal moisturizer and/or topical oestrogen

I tried the Replens but it hasn’t got the hormone replacement I needed

Previous posts make me think that this is within the GPs remit and doesn't need GUM/ gyno?

@AmethystDeceiver i would ask a sympathetic gp if possible. There might be more knowledge wise answers on the menopause board?