Vaginal atrophy - is anyone else suffering.

[singer99]

Is anyone else out there struggling with vaginal atrophy.

Every time my husband and I make love it hurts so much for the first minute or so. Then it's ok. It's really putting me of, but I love him so much.
This all started in November. I have been back and forward to the doctors. I have been using Vegifem 10 micrograms estradiol pessaries. Started using every other day. That didn't work. So upped to daily. That seemed to be a little better. But, not much.

What can I do. This is really driving me crazy.

Also getting a lit of cystitis, and bladder infections.
Is anyone else going through this. Any solutions please.

You need to use the vagifem daily for the first two weeks, as per instructions inside the packet. Then one or two twice a week after that.

There is very little hormone, and you need to boost the tissues first.

Yes I have this and cannot manage intercourse it is so painful even using HRT and vagifem regularly - it still really hurts.
The gynaecologist said it was the best treatment he could offer me !
He did However recommend using a lubricant called Sylk and also said I was to use aqueous cream( in the shower) instead of soap when washing the vaginal area as it was less drying .
Lots of bladder infections as a result of extended foreplay as i get so anxious about sex and the anticipation of pain .

It's not easy , but it sounds like you and your DP have a good relationship that can overcome these difficulties .

i would recommend that you go to a health food shop and buy yourself a jar of starflower oil capsules - it is really soothing for the inner tissues and also i have a suspicion it acts also like a plant oestrogen.
just cut off the tip of the capsule before inserting.
it is one of the few natural oils which is vagina friendly, you won't get an infection from it i assure you.
Some capsules contain vit E too and that';s ok as a lubricant as well.

for washing some creamy or mild shower stuff from the Bodyshop is definitely better than aqueous cream.

i have just recently been using a general skincream which is entirely natural and fantastic everywhere, when i can find it i'll post the brand name and it smells heavenly too!

I tried several options including Vagifem when I was going through the early stages of menopause without realising. The best one, that caused no irritation even to my ultra sensitive fanjo was Sylk. It's free on prescription when you're over 60 apparently but I've well over a decade to go so it was worth the prescription fee and a bottle lasts ages.

The ultimate solution has been HRT though, pain free sex at last.
Might be worth getting your FSH levels tested to see where you're at with yours...

the cream's brand is balance Me , website balanceme.

OP, I am having very similar problems. After years of being single I started seeing someone last year, but sex is exactly as you describe: really sore to start, then OK, then sore after a while.

I assumed for months it was mild thrush, eventually went to the doctor... tests proved it was not thrush, or a variety of other things.

Dr was trying to give me Canestan, but when I said that hadn't worked he gave me some oestrogen cream (Premarin, I am overseas so not sure how that compares to Vagifem).

I am now nearly done with 2 weeks nightly application but am more sore and itchy than ever - hoping that it will magically start working soon.

I'm only 38 so not even sure if it is menopausal.

Anyhow, I hope it starts working for you (and me) soon!

Thank you everyone for coming back to me. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I will try some of your suggestions. I am avoiding using any soap down there.
I forgot to say, I am 57. I have been taking a natural product called MACCA, from Forever Living Products, who I am an agent for. That helps with general thing, hot flushes. In every other way I feel that I am doing ok through the change. Infact if it wasn't for this viganal problem I would be doing absolutely great.
I have started taking cranberry tablets every day to help stop cystitis and bladder infections. We made love a couple of days ago and so far no infection, so fingers crossed.
I am finding that being on top also helps me to control the angle and speed of penetration. That seems to help along with a lubricant cream or gel.
Thank you all.
Can we keep in touch. No one seems to talk about it.

Have you used it every night for 2 weeks? I use Ovestin which is an alternative topical oestrogen. Some women need full HRT for vaginal atrophy.
www.menopausematters.co.uk great source of info.

Hi ya, yes I did use it daily of two weeks but not till the doc changed the dose. I was initially told to use it every other day.
Thanks.

singer what type of macca do u use: is it the raw powder, the processed capsules and do you use a specific colour of macca?

there have been some small studies about it (i posted a reference in another thread) but i'd like to hear more about post menopausal women who have been taking it for a longer time.

Hi ya. You might find the answer here.

totallyaloevera.com/tag/sex-herb/

I use this product by forever living product. I know their products are very high quality.

I very rarely have very bad sweats.
I take two tables a day. Maybe I should take more. Maybe that would sort out my other problem.

I am even tempered. And very rarely get stressed.
Is that down to maca. I don't know.

but what i mean is, do you use the raw product that sometimes gives stomach ache or do you use the "cooked" macca- and how many grams of macca is 2 tablets a day?

Do you use it every day or do you have breaks from it?

do you use it in conjunction with other hormone type supplements or just this?

there is absolutely everything, good and bad on the net + very difficult to make up one's mind about it.And myriads of companies importing it.

maybe just try it blindly?

I will try to find out more for you. I take it every day.
Its Not raw but tables.

What country are you in?

I am in the uk.

did you see on another thread someone recommended the Sylk vaginal gel made from plants, and if you go to their website,they send you a free sample on request!

I didn't see the thread. I will try to find it thank you.

Ordered some silk to try.

Ordered some silk to try.

When I thin of Macca, I think of this, unfortunately!
img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130918222434/lyricwiki/images/6/64/Paul_McCartney.jpg

When younger like you i found my husbands fluids made me sore and itchy so our solution was to use a durex.

Well, things are on the up after about six months.

My regime is now this.
2x FLP multi MACCA tablets and 3 x cranberry tablets from Holland and Barrett daily.
1 x pessaries from the doc every other night alternating with Silk.
Nightly I use a little Wellsprings 20 - 1 cream
on my arm.

Now virtually no pain and no bladder infection.
So thankful to have a loving understanding husband.