Vaginal Atrophy/Low Estrogen before Menopause

[MissAmber]

Is it possible to have this before Menopause. I am 45 and still have periods but years ago my Vagina changed as in my Labia/Clitoris basically disappeared and I was too embarrassed to see a doctor. Over the last five or six years I have had bladder issues with frequency and urgency/Bladder Spasms. Also whenever I have to walk anywhere I get really hot and sweat and get out of breath even after a few minutes. My periods are also a bit heavier. I just wonder if all of this is connected.

Hi Miss Amber

I changed my name because I'm unsure about sharing such personal stuff... Anyway, I'm early 60s. My periods fluctuated/became unpredictable, then gradually stopped some time between 40 and 45. I definitely experienced the bladder problems. Sorted it with pelvic floor exercises. Wish I'd kept that up because it's becoming a problem again....

What I noticed was during my late thirties, early forties, my clitoris got bigger (as if this was the last chance to go for reproduction). Then it shrank back to normal.

Hot sweats are normal peri-menopausal stuff, getting out of breath, not so much, or at least not for me.

I decided not to go for HRT because my mother didn't take it and lived to a very ripe old age, but if I were you I'd go to the doctor. You need to start HRT within a certain time frame with the menopause. At 60 I can no longer access it, although maybe I wish I could now. At the very least you need to be informed in the choices you make.

You don't have to mention the labia/clitoris stuff, just tell the doc about the hot sweats, the bladder problems and the breathlessness - if it seems appropriate you can always tell them about your other worries. I never went to the doctor about my menopause, but as far as I can gather most women do. It's very standard. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

Hi yes you can. Speak with your practice nurse or whoever does your smear tests. They are best informed

It sounds like you are in peri menopause. You sound like you need topical vaginal oestrogen cream quite urgently before anything worse happens. It works miracles. Ask the GP for Estriol 1mg or similar. It isn’t linked to cancers etc. I’d also consider general HRT, sooner rather than later. Go on the menopause boards, lots of info there. Watch the Davina documentaries on channel 4. Don’t suffer in silence . I wish I’d known this stuff sooner.

Sorry to sound bossy btw. I just really really don’t want anyone having the misery of something like vaginal atrophy when there’s an easy way to stop it. Take care and good luck xx

Thank you for advice I really appreciate it. I have also been stressed out because my urinary frequency is better so I maybe go 5 or 6 times a day but I don’t have big volumes when I go each time so does that mean I am in retention even though I feel like I have emptied each time. I don’t drink a lot of water it’s mainly Pepsi max I drink so could that be the reason maybe.

@EggFriedRiceAndChips You didn’t sound bossy at all and I appreciate your advice. Due to things in my past I am very much an introvert and live alone so I don’t really have anyone to talk to about this stuff so thank you.

In case anyone is wondering I reverted to my old name. I was a bit nervous about this subject so had changed my name but what the hell lol

Yes it's possible to have this before menopause. It's a classic sign of perimenopause. You need, at the very least, topical oestrogen like Vagifem or Ovestin. VA does need to be treated or it will get worse. Speak to your GP.

Agree with @DramaAlpaca. Ovestin is more effective than the generic estriol as it is 10 x stronger. Both Ovestin and Vagifem are very safe.
@bumblebingo You can still have hrt if you do want to try it, it's not too late to start if you wish.Women used to be told to stop taking it at 60 but NICE guidelines state there is now no cut of point for women taking hrt.

100 per cent this ^ I suffered for years. Estriol cream is magic.