Intimate itching - tips for relief

[Blastandtroph]

So I'm in the throes of peri.

One positive side effect for me (and DH) is a massive increase in libido however I am so itchy in the vulval area and around my anus too, particularly after being intimate. At risk of TMI, I feel like I could scratch myself raw at times, especially at night. Swab has ruled out thrush.

How do others relieve what I understand is this common side effect? I occasionally use a 1% steroid cream but not keen on using this long term due to it causing skin thinning.

I had this symptom during peri. It is due to hormonal imbalance. Hrt relieved it and solved almost every Meno symptom.

There is a very very long thread here on vaginal issues- take a look.

Itching like you have can be down to low estrogen or something like thrush, (even with no curdy discharge.)

You need some swabs taking.

Do not use steroid creams on the vulva unless prescribed by a gynaecologist. They may do some harm and if it's not eczema, they aren't doing any good.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/3429137-Vaginal-atrophy-Lets-mention-the-unmentionable

Try sudocream, it releived my itch, hope it works for you

Thanks both.

Queen thanks for linking the thread. I'll have a read. Have had a negative swab for thrush. I've only used steroid cream a handful of times when the itching has been so unbearable. Panty liners are a culprit too. I know it's not ideal but it has given relief.

Re HRT, my GP told me it was too early for HRT (I needed to be period free for 12 months?). Been having peri symptoms for 3-4 years now.

Oh dear god, not another GP who knows so little about menopause.

You are not too young for HRT and you are not 'supposed' to have 12 months with no period before you can use it. There are 2 types of HRT in the main

1 for women still having periods
2 for women not having a period for 12 months or more

When people here have suggested HRT it doesn't have to be taking pills/ patches etc- all you may need at the mo is vaginal cream/ pessary to help the itching.

Find another GP who is clued up?

Thank you Queen. I've had a read of the thread you linked and looked at the NICE guidelines. Will be making an appointment with my GP surgery armed with the guidelines and the knowledge I've now gained.

I have this issue, my gp gave me vagifem, it's a small tablet that comes in a inserter type thing, bit like a very thin tampon, anyway I use that every night and it's fine, I soon know when I forget, it's a vaginal oestrogen.

@cocoallure thank you. It's the vulval area which is sore rather than the vagina itself. Does it help with that?

Sorry to get back so late, but yes it does. I felt like I could scratch myself raw but after a couple of weeks I felt normal. Certainly worth a try x

Mine wasn't peri-related as had it for years before that came along but in case it helps you or someone else, the solution to relieving 90% of my itching was using aqueous cream to wash those areas (obviously only externally) in my daily shower - not that I had been using anything strong/highly perfumed previously, but that made a huge difference to me.