Itching all the time ffs!😭

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

I can’t take HRT.

My skin has become really dry due to menopause. I use loads of emollients every day, but they don’t stop the itch. The only thing that has any effect, is Betnovate all over once a week. My dermatologist isn’t keen on this.

I’m on the waiting list for UV but it’s driving me nuts. Itch itch itch all day everywhere! Head, eyes, inside nose, lips constantly sore. And everywhere else. I’m covered in scratches and scars.

What else can l do?😭

I suspect you might have tried these, but I'm an itchy type, and Piriton/ certirizine tablets and Aveeno cream ( and bath powder if needed) help a lot.

I was told to take 4 ceterizine a day. They made no difference, but they did give me a blocked salivary gland due to dry mouth.

I’ve also tried piriton, fexofenidine, and 2 orthere. They also made no difference. Certirizine was the best. Even though it’s crap.

Do you mind sharing why no HRT? It's just there are very very few reasons and the only ones that count are recent or current b cancer or a blood clot.

If you have had either, it might be worth going back to your consultant and asking for advice re menopause symptoms.

There are many types of HRT and there are some that are much safer and women do use even after BC.

HRT gives me thrush straight away. I’ve tried for a year off and on with flucanazole tablets. But the thrush wins every time.

My gynaecologist said that sometimes it affects people like that. FWIW, l couldn’t take the pill because of thrush, and anti biotics also trigger it.

I’ve tried all the probiotic and natural stuff. My bodies default is thrush😞

Body’s

Did you try HRT gel? I’ve found it fabulous! The skin isn’t brilliant, but it’s better!

Unfortunately l think that would also give me thrush. It’s not the product that didn’t work, it’s the fact that the hormones involved cause thrush

Estrogen does not cause thrush- in fact the opposite. Thrush is caused when the pH of the vagina is too alkaline. Estrogen makes the vagina more acidic which is the normal and best pH for it.

If you found you got thrush it may have been during the progesterone phase of HRT- the last 12 days each month.

You could offset this with either vaginal estrogen or Act-gel which is an over the counter treatment.

There are also many types of progesterone and one may suit you better than the other.

If I were you I'd try it again and also try all the natural anti-thrush measures (diet, clothes, etc) that may help.

I’ve never managed a full month. I got thrush within 7 days of vaginal inserts and the same with patches.

I tried to push through as it may have just been a start up side effect, but it became unbearable.

I’ve tried all the anti thrush stuff since l first got it she 20 (because of the pill).

None of it made any difference.😔

I’m quite unusual. It’s not that l get thrush, it’s that my vagina is unusually sensitive to thrush cells. So even small amounts will cause thrush for me. People line me will struggle with HRT

3% of females are like this. It’s shit, I’ve fought against it all my life.

The only thing that has ever worked for me once l became totally immune to every thrush medication was homeopathy.

However, the HRT overrides this and triggers the thrush again

Have you tried Acti-gel? A lot of women find that helps.

I think you may have found that given time your vagina would adjust to estrogen. Many women post meno use vaginal estrogen to prevent thrush.

Have you also done the anti candida diet? Thrush can be systemic and going on an anti candida diet can eliminate it as can oral Nystatin (prescribed) which works on your entire digestive system.

I gave the vaginal pessaries about 3 months. Constant thrush. Gynae said it wasn’t a side effect. I t would happen whatever l took. It’s not about thrush, it’s a about being unusually sensitive to changes in the vagina

So your gynae said thrush was not a side effect of Vagifem?

It’s not about thrush, it’s a about being unusually sensitive to changes in the vagina

But the changes result in thrush?

Yes but usually those changes are when the pH increases and becomes less acidic.

If you have constant low level thrush which flares up when you change the flora of the vagina somehow, this is usually linked to gut health. This means you may need to change your diet and possibly use systemic treatments for thrush.

Just a thought- have you ever had swabs done when you feel symptom free to see if you always have thrush? You can have thrush without symptoms, you know. (I have had it that way.)

Then when something happens to affect the balance, it gets worse.

I didn’t claim properly🙈

She said that yes it was a side effect and whilst most people would push through it, as l am ultra sensitive to it, it wouldn’t resolve.

Also, it isn’t really about an imbalance. It’s is about ultra sensitivity. So while say most people would get thrush with 100 thrush cells. I would get it with one or two.

It’s a recognised thing. I’ve had loads of swabs, usually say thrush, but often don’t. Again this is a recognised presentation, and with my condition thrush is not based on a swab. It is based on past history.

I’ve been round the houses with this over a million times. It’s an abnormal reaction. But l can’t take HRT because of it

Explain! Not claim!

Interesting.

Have you ever been pregnant? Did the same thing happen then with raised hormone levels?

I guess it depends what bothers you most. I might take thrush over constant itching all over my body and using steroids all the time (and I used to have severe eczema so know what itching is like.)

Nope never had it when pregnant. Always been an itchy person though.

Thrush is just unbearable

The best person to advise on this is your dermatologist. Are they not able to prescribe antihistamines for the itching?

Anti histamines don’t work against it. I’ve tried them all. Including double doses.

Oatmeal baths
Aveeno lotions
Lotions and creams for eczema & itchy skin- Euracin brand (Boots)
Itching all over in menopause it called formication.

It can be stopped by HRT as it's a known peri meno symptom.

You might find the smallest dose of estrogen gel could work - far less than in tablets or patches.

How about an old fashioned anti-itch remedy (that also happens to make your skin really soft)? Grab a packet of those ugly foot stockings and put a handful of rolled oats (not instant because they are already cooked) and a tablespoon of bicarbonate soda in, tie a knot in the top and hurl into the bath. It will make the bathwater milky. You can rub it on your face and body instead of soap, and it leaves behind a soft, moisturizing gel. Just rinse with the bathwater and pat dry.