Sore lady parts not thrush: perimenopause

[FlowersandBees]

For the past couple of years I have been having symptoms that I believe are all related to hormones (breast cysts, moody, thinning pubic hair, palpitations etc) and the approach of the menopause. One is that I now have very sensitive lady bits. I can no longer use soap to wash as it reacts and I end up with very painful bits. It is not thrush as the GP tested and confirmed it was just sensitivity. Strangely its not the vag that hurts but the clit and skin surrounding it (particularly in one spot beneath the labia majoria)..sorry tmi!! .
Sometimes it only last for a few hours and sometimes a couple of days. It always happens after a bath even though I do not use soap only water...
Any advice? GP fairly unhelpful. Just gave me steroid cream.

I don't have the answer, but I'm experiencing exactly the same. I'm presuming menopausal symptoms, I've been avoiding making a doctors appointment.

You need oestrogen cream or pessaries.
Works like magic because your skin is getting thin and sore due to lack of production of your own oestrogen.
Your GP is being a bit mean IMO.

Yes. Vagifem. Such a simple solution.

Vaginal atrophy is probably what you have. Horrible name but easily sorted: I'm pasting the following from a post I made a while ago:

Vaginal Atrophy (VA) is what can happen during the peri & menopause & it is my mission to make more women aware of it.

Basically (& you can google for the finer details) the lack of eostrogen causes great dryness up your fanjo. It makes sex painful & also leads to itchiness that makes thrush seem mild. It is horrible & causes enormous discomfort. I had to rush to the loo just to scratch - the itchiness is almost unbearable. The itch is both inside your fanjo & all over your vulva

If you are menopausal or post menopause & get an itch and/or great dryness do look at the possibility that it could be VA & go to see your GP.

It is easily sorted out with topical eostrogen in the form of 'Vagifem', a small pessary that is inserted into the vagina with an applicator.

You need a 10mcg dose daily for 2 weeks & then a maintenance dose of 10mcg twice weekly.

There is a great deal of argument about giving women vagifem long term &, it seems to me, that many health professionals are not up to date with recent research.

I discussed this with my GP with this piece of research:

www.menopausematters.co.uk/newsitem.php?recordID=83

You do need to keep up to date with mammograms & smears but otherwise no side effects.

I tell a lie about the side effects - it has hugely helped my pelvic floor (this is well documented). I can now cough without fear of leakage.

I was lucky & had a GP who instantly diagnosed VA - but, sadly, it is not something that is well known or discussed.

Maginedi thank you SO much for your post. You have described my symptoms to a T, I will go to the GP armed with that knowledge.

I suffered for years with something that sounds similar.... tried a million remedies but the thing that seems to have really helped is emulsifying ointment from the pharmacist. Use just a finger tip amount to wash with and the same amount again on dry morning and night. Make sure not to use too much though or it makes it worse. Might help ease it off before you see your GP. Hope it helps!

LadyP - I am so pleased to have been able to help. I have always prided myself on being aware of my body but had no idea about this condition. I would like to make more women aware as it is so easily treatable.

I suffered with this for years without knowing what it was. Just constant itching. GP kept saying thrush or bladder infections. Then I saw a private menopause specialist who prescribed vagifem two years ago. Amazing stuff that has really made a difference. I only wish I'd had it earlier but my gp is stuck in the past which is why I went privately..

While you wait to see the GP again, I recommend Sylk. Sold as a lubricant but is also a vaginal moisturiser. Apply to the entrance to the vagina and inside. Try an emollient outside. Diprobase works well. Both can be bought from pharmacies or even from Amazon.
Steroid cream can help in the short term, but do follow instructions not to overuse. I used mine loads, because I still had the discomfort if I didn't. Turns out you get similar symptoms with overuse!
Vagifem also good stuff, but prescription only.

Thanks all! Back to GP again then....much as I hate too

Don't come away without a prescription for Vagifem or Ovestin, left it will get a lot worse!
I actually use both plus full HRT!

Also another form of local oestrogen, I use the " estring " which stays in place for 90 days high in the vagina and is the equivalent to almost 5 vagifem a week , so easy and forget about it.

I am on a mission to make VA known about I have had two articles on the subject published.

Well done on you, 1966. I'd love to read those articles - would you be prepared to send me a link in a pm?

Just read your post I've bee using vagifem for the last 18mths couldn't survive without it and v magic I buy it online its super just have to apply it after shower everyday. Anyway could u send me on your articles. Take care x [email protected]

I was prescribed Vagifem yesterday and inserted the first tablet at about 4.00pm. At 7.30 I did a pee and horror of horrors - the tablet came out of my vagina and went down the loo!! Has this happened to anyone else I wonder?

No doesnt happen with me
I usually insert it at night. I assume the 'skier about to jump off' position standing up then insert applicator.

My GP has prescribed an oestrogen cream, is that going to work on the clitoris area? Seems odd to me thought that was just for vaginal. Does the atrophy affect the whole area? How depressing, no one tells you about all thus it's just an unpleasant surprise as you get older!