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 basic menopause symptoms so yes you can start with GP. They can prescribe topical oestrogen. Not everywhere allows moisturiser to be prescribed as it’s abailable over the counter or online without prescription.

I’ve been using the Yes moisturiser for a few months and it definitely helped for a while, but I’ve been horribly sore and itchy for a couple of weeks. I went and asked in Boots today and have come home with this stuff. Fingers crossed! www.ovesse.co.uk

replens isn’t great. Vag oestrogen tackles the root cause and also helps your bladder etc.

Yes, I do.
My GP recommended both.

I wouldn't be as quick as everyone else to presume it's an oestrogen deficiency if your periods are still normal.

Although I do use estrogen cream/pessary as I'm menopausal, in my early 60's, I also use YES vaginal moisturiser which really helps with dryness around the outside vulva area.
All plant based ingredients so no chemicals.

No!!! Get proper oestrogen cream. It's called Estriol. Do not yet the pessary. Get cream and rub inside, on your vulva and labia. Use daily for several weeks and then a few times a week.

Your life will improve. No more night time wees either.

Wait night time wees are part of this??? If I could stop night time wees I could go back to 7-8 hours of unbroken sleep a night! I had no idea they were linked to my sore fanny, and possibly also to peri. I thought it was just an inevitable part of aging

I can’t comment on Replens but I’m going to join the chorus recommending topical oestrogen for vaginal changes.

i use the cream, once or twice a week. Its brilliant.

ask your GP, it’s really worth it !

@AmethystDeceiver i sleep 7hrs a night. No night time weeing anymore. All thanks to Estriol cream.

I love it so much. I have all the prolapses and Gynae told me to use it liberally daily. In reality it's every few days, but I can tell after a few days when I need it now.

I'm 47 and I've been using Estriol since 2022 and my biggest concern is who will apply it when I'm in a care home?!

Estriol cream. You need the oestrogen.

I use vagifem, the tiny tablet form which you insert vaginally. This is also oestrogen. ( I didn't get on with the cream internally) but you can use a little on the vulva.

Game changer.

Yes. It’s worked miracles on my bladder also.

I had a pessary that helped as I got so sore during exercise.

I thought I had thrush for over a year. Nurse when I had my smear recommended I see the doctor. I now have HRT and pessaries. No problem now at all. I'm sleeping like a normal person!

Ovesse says it’s for women over 50 who haven’t had a period for a year - it it ok to use if you haven’t quite reached that stage yet?

If your vulva is itchy check out the symptoms of lichen sclerosis. I was diagnosed last year but reckon I’ve had it much much longer. Symptoms made worse when combined with menopause symptoms. Look out for white patches on your vulva.

For a general moisturiser for your vulva, solid coconut oil (in a jar) is lovely.
you can cook with it too! (The coconut oil, not your vulva)

No ides why it says that when it’s the same stuff under a different name as your GP will prescribe without spending £20 a tube. I started using it alongside HRT before I was 50 and still having periods (or a version of them, a couple of times a year). Best to talk to GP of course.

Topical estrogen

Keep an eye on your labia minora. If they start to shrink and even vanish altogether it's caused by dropping oestrogen in peri & menopause. Your age is pretty standard for peri.