Please help my painful fanny

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Can anyone help? I am 52, and since peri-menopause have been on vaginal oestrogen as well as HRT. I sometimes get uncomfortable, itchy, thrush type symptoms but they quickly resolve.

This week it started up and I am in pure agony. No discharge, but weeing is excruciating, and the area looks red/inflamed. I got the thrush oral tablet and vaginal pessaries yesterday but it hasn’t helped.

Our GP surgery is useless, I wouldn’t be able to get an appointment until June, but we can access a video GP through DP’s private healthcare through work. I did a video call today and she suggested cystitis and prescribed three days of antibiotics. I’m not sure it’s that as my vulva feels sore/irritated, not just when using the toilet - can cystitis cause this? (I’ve only had it once about 20 years ago.)

Been with DP 20 years and we’re not having much penetrative sex at the mo because it’s uncomfortable - and peri has killed my libido anyway! - so no danger of an STI.

Assuming you have heating, no reason why you can't go commando and without tights at home. Let the air get to it - as my gp used to say. She recommended regular commando days.

If you have a very dry vagina then you don’t want anything that’s a pessary as it will be difficult to dissolve and make it more sore - google Sjögren’s syndrome, I have this and it’s actually quite common in menopausal women. I have Ovestin oestrogen cream - it comes with an applicator you fill and insert and you can also use it externally - rather than Vagifem. And for thrush treatment you can get a pre filled Canestan applicator that comes with a high strength 10% cream for use with the vaginal external cream as well. I have both of these things on my repeat prescription. (You can also buy the canestan stuff from Amazon if you don’t want to faff about with waiting for prescriptions). If I use the pessaries they either just come out undissolved or make everything worse pain wise.

https://amzn.eu/d/5GRjVFh

P.s. both aqueous cream and dermol 500 are soap substitutes that are medically approved for using on intimate areas. Aqueous cream smells quite clinical but it's cheap. Dermol 500 is excellent for skin generally

Interesting,I have found the same with the pessary tablet thing ,like chalk bits falling out , didn't dissolve.
Not nice

OP, I recently gave up the vagirux pessaries as they appeared to have stopped working and when I tried a 2 week reload they seemed to aggravate my VA which was horrible. I also wondered if I'd overdone it.

I started using ovestin cream instead and it's been much, much better. You can buy it from boots to try it out if getting a drs appointment is difficult.

Good luck x

Even with heating on I have joggers and a cardi for sitting watching TV now - we’re in aberdeen and it is chilly! But next week looks better temperature-wise.

I’ve just remembered I actually have an HRT review thing on Monday after work for weight/BP check - I booked it about three months ago as the first available slot with the surgery nurse. Might she be able to help? Or only an actual doctor?

If she can prescribe you can ask her to switch you from Vagifem to Ovestin.

I’m so, so pleased I started this thread. I will do that, thank you, and also ask if she can give me anything hardcore for thrush.

Good luck!

Even if she can’t prescribe maybe she can put a note for a GP? I saw a nurse last year with what turned out to be strep A and she was able to prescribe antibiotics.

Go and speak with a pharmacist. They should be able to prescribe or refer you on quicker elsewhere if needed.
the hrt review nurse should be able to advise too.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses my GP recommended hydrocortisone cream for a week when I got similarly sore. It worked and now I have everything under control with a combination of Vagifem every two days and Ovestin a couple of times a week. That's alongside my regular. What fun it is being a middle aged woman!

I’ve been sore and GP prescribed dermol 500 to use for washing but then also as a cream to apply after washing (when dry). I’ve run out and have noticed the difference. I must get more.

It’s a blast. An absolute riot. I feel like I don’t even recognise myself any more.

I agree with this poster OP, you sound like you have all the symptoms, and yes to dermovate ointment, I get it on prescription from my GP, it’s a life saver.

sounds to me like lichen schlerosis also, the gp gives special hydrocortisone so that should help. I forgot my dermovate cream when I was away for a week and my vulva is extremely uncomfortable now! the cream really helps

Are you using pads for urine leakage?

I’ve had the same symptoms and it tuned out to be a reaction to Tena lady / just generally always being slightly damp with wee.

menopause is utterly shit so I really feel for you.
Don’t give up looking for answers - you deserve a lovely pain-free fanny!

No - I am very pleased to say I am not experiencing that delightful symptom (yet).

@Judystilldreamsofhorses I mentioned Lichen Sclerosus in my previous post and recommended seeing a GP. You said that it is so difficult to see a GP (I have the same problem here too). Hopefully you can sort this yourself but just thought I'd say if the symptoms don't go away please don't just assume it is thrush/vaginal atrophy. If it was LS and it isn't treated it can lead to vulval cancer. But it can be easily treated. Hope you find some relief.

Dr Wolf’s V San has been a life changer for me. I use their shower wash but you can also get as a cream.

Do look into Lichen Sclerosus. I know see a vulval dermatologist for hydrocortisone otiments. The otiments rather than cream has made a huge difference. Originally I had to use it daily, now just 2-3 times a week. I use it after I swim.
I also use non soap wash that suitable for eczema at the recommendation of the dermatologist.
Lichen Sclerosus is often missed because it can look like other things. Mine was originally missed diagnosed as perimenopause but I had a punch biopsy on a skin issue in my breast which turned out to be Lichen Sclerosus. When I saw my GP to have my coil changed I asked her to check in the light of the breast Lichen Sclerosus. She sent me to the dermatologist.

Thanks again everyone, I really truly appreciate all the help. And noted re LS.

I always laugh though when I see threads on here and people are like, oh, see your GP, as if it isn’t some sort of medieval quest to get an appointment, especially if you work. I had a note in my HRT prescription to make a review appointment for BP and weight and it took three weeks of ringing. I was finally given a telephone appointment and the receptionist seemed very annoyed when I asked how they would check my blood pressure over the phone!

I had this and went to a GUM clinic which swabbed me and diagnosed BV and thrush there and then , GP swab for both the day before came back clear.

I also use lanacane with local anaesthetic when things are bad, stings at first but then bliss when it kicks in

@Phunkychicken you can use EMLA if it’s bad.

if I've felt sore / dry below, I do a gentle wash and then use a slick of coconut oil. V refreshing