Freshness problems

[overit19]

Anyone finding they have a problem staying fresh after MP due to discharge etc? This is pissing me off, I really feel like I need 2 showers a day which was never teh case before.

I'm not keen on using topical hrt. Has anyone tried anything natural like vit E cream? Any other suggestions?

Tried relactogel and it improved things but doesn't last.

What kind of discharge is it?

Have you been tested for BV for example or thrush?

If you have vaginal atrophy which can cause a very runny discharge, vaginal HRT really is the treatment. Without it, your VA can get worse until eventually it may be very hard to reverse.

Do you not want to use vaginal HRT for a reason?

There are no risks with vaginal HRT (except if you have had cancer when you need to weigh up possible risks) and using it 2 x a week for a year is the equivalent to one 1mg tablet of estrogen (which is a daily dose of systemic hrt.)

Thanks Jingling

Doc first thought it might be BV, which is why I took the relactogel. And it does work for a while but then things go back as before.
Discharge is darkish yellow I guess, doesn't smell great.

There are some side effects with the topical oestrogen but mainly, I kind of feel I can't stay on it forever so what's the point in even starting? Ultimately VA is going to happen anyway right?

But I suppose get a few tests is a good idea, thanks.

@overit19 Can I correct you on a few points?

Medical advice is that you can stay on vaginal estrogen forever, and moreover you ought to if you want to prevent vaginal atrophy.

Has a dr told you that you cannot use it long term? If so, that is incorrect. The current advice is that women use it as long as they need to and if they stop they have to be informed symptoms will return.

Vaginal atrophy is not going to happen anyway if women use safe treatment.

At its worst, VA can mean the vagina completely closes up (there are descriptions of this in very old women who have not had treatment) and of course it's painful and distressing even if women don't have an active sex life.

VA includes all genital health- not just a dry vagina. It's not something you would welcome if you can prevent it! :)

BTW my Mum was using treatment in her 80s as are women in their 90s.
I do hope it's not your GP who has said you cannot use it long term.

No Jingling the GP didn't say it, we actually hadn't got as far as investigating this because I wanted to try the relactogel first.

Possibly I read it somewhere. But obvs I'd have to actually get VA diagnosed before I'd use topical oestrogen.

I suppose the best thing to do is go back to GP.

OP menopause has completely changed how my body smells. I hate it

VA can be diagnosed by an internal exam but often it's diagnosed through symptoms alone. You can read a lot about it online. One key symptom is a profuse watery or pink discharge but it can also be very dry, sore and burning down there with frequent trips to the loo for wees.

If you discharge is yellow, smells and isn't normal for you, it looks like some kind of infection and needs swabbing.

Indie it's shit isn't it? Partly I could be paranoid because I've checked with people close to me and they don't seem to notice, but I do.

Jingling my feeling is it's not VA. I think I'll just go back to GP and get a swab done. Thanks for the advice.

@overit19 nobody except me notices it either but I know I smell different