Vaginal dryness

[Curlylox]

I've been on 0.3mg of HRT for nearly two years but in the last 6 months on and off I've started to experience dryness as well as loss of libido. I've been to the drs who have now increased my HRT to 0.5mg and I'm hoping this helps. However I've started seeing someone and don't want to feel like my insides are on fire during and after sexytime, also don't want to take the heat of the moment away by using lube. Any suggestions please?

Find a partner who understands that 'sexytime' involves meeting both of your needs.

Does using lube take away the heat of the moment? I'm 34 and have always used it

@Curlylox Your dr needs to prescribe vaginal estrogen: Ovestin or Vagifem. Used daily for 2 weeks then 2/3 times a week forever.

Are you saying your estrogen dose was 0.3mg daily? What are you taking? Pills? patches? That is a tiny amount.

Most women would be on 1mg, or 1,5 or 2mgs. I am in my 60s and use 1.5 mgs, plus Ovestin.

@Eckhart This is a medical issue , it's not to do with foreplay and the lack of it.

@JinglingHellsBells

Thanks for that blinding shot of wisdom.

I didn't say OP needs more foreplay. I said her needs are to be met.

@MonsteraCheeseplant I agree, there's nothing unsexy about lube.

Just use it, OP. There's no rules.

I said her needs are to be met.

She didn't say they weren't. She said she was sore.

What are you interpreting that as?

Lube does not restore vaginal atrophy. Local (vaginal estrogen) is needed to actually change the structure of the cells so they become less fragile under pressure.

Fine to use lube as well, but it's not a treatment.

@Curlylox, as @JinglingHellsBells says, you need either Vagifem pessaries or Ovestin cream. Your GP will prescribe it, you won't need to be examined.

Unfortunately, lube doesn't help with menopausal vaginal atrophy. You need to use an oestrogen replacement to get things feeling normal down there, and then you can use lube as well if you want to.

Cross posted with you, @JinglingHellsBells

Sorry, @JinglingHellsBells, I misinterpreted 'it's not to do with foreplay and the lack of it.' as meaning 'it's not to do with foreplay and the lack of it.'

My mistake.

OP was saying she didn't want to ruin the moment with lube, which suggests to me that she feels lube would fix it, but thinks it would ruin the moment.

My point was that she needs to find a partner who understands her own way of sorting out her needs. Lube may be enough to solve the problem, and it would be a shame to resort to hormonal treatment out of insecurity rather than necessity.

The reason for the low dosage is because I've had breast cancer. Chemotherapy pushed me into menopause almost overnight, yes I was on my way but at a slower pace. I've not been in any kind of sexual relationship for a few years and would like everything to be alright on the night.
I appreciate your input.

Ah, @Curlylox That makes sense. But your GP ought to know that dry vaginas need local estrogen. Also, 1 in 4 women use both HRT and vaginal estrogen. I hope you manage to get some - it's very weak - and many oncologists are ok about women using it. It's a balance about quality of life. Hope the new relationship works out for you!

@Eckhart I'm guessing and apologies if I'm wrong, that you have not yet experienced menopause or vaginal atrophy?

VA or urogenital atrophy as they like to call it, is not really about sex . It's about vaginal health and bladder health.

Lots of women (including those in their 80s and 90s) use vaginal estrogen. It's not a case of 'restorting' to it, as if it's dangerous or undesirable in some way.

In post menopause, the vagina changes- even smear tests can become a huge problem. It shrinks in length, doesn't stretch so easily and the tissues dry out and become fragile. This causes symptoms often including weeing a lot , incontinence, and pain, regardless of whether someone's got a sex life.

In really elderly women with severe VA the vaginal walls can actually stick together permanently if not treated.

Lube is a bit like applying handcream. It's okay-ish for some extra moisture but it won't reverse changes or treat the cause.