Sore vulva

[newnamenellie]

Hello,

I’m 46 (47 in September) and think I’m peri menopausal. My periods have been closer together for the past couple of years (average around 24/25 days, last month only 17 days 😳). I had really unusual (for me) breast tenderness which ran from my previous period right through to the start of the next one seventeen days later. I saw my GP who thought it was hormonal but has asked me to see her again for a follow up anyway.

For the past few days, since my period ended at the weekend I’ve had an uncomfortable feeling around my vulva, almost like thrush but there’s no discharge and not itchy. I’m around cd 14 now. Is this also hormone related potentially?

I’ve been worried that it may be due to a lost tampon, though I’ve been checked by a nurse and there was nothing there! I’ve experienced this sort of discomfort in the past I think, and I remember it went away by itself. I think sometimes it is stress/anxiety induced (I was getting worried about my breast pain prior to the sore vulva).

I know that none of you can tell me one way or the other, but I’m just wondering if this sore vulva is something that any of you can relate to?
TIA

I can relate!!

Vulvar Harmony from Amazon sorted it out. Its dryness.

@something2say thank you, I’ll have a look!

Funny times hey. But a tiny bit of that, morning and night, sorted the itch out. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Was going to say the same thing. Mine developed into a series of UTIs as my menopause progressed. HRT helped a lot.

if this is hormones and you can get an examination appointment you need to ask for them to look for signs of vaginal atrophy. Search old threads on here for more information.

It’s usually lack of oestrogen, mine was a bad case because it was combined with cancer treatment but Ovestin cream fixed it within a few days after suffering for 4 weeks trying all the things my oncologist recommended.

Thanks everyone. I’ve been concerned about it being a lost tampon, although that has been ruled out more or less and I don’t think a sore vulva would be the only sign!

It does feel dry down there sometimes, and just generally irritated, probably not helped by me rooting around for tampons...

I’m finding this peri business quite interesting, assuming that’s where I’m at.

It's called genito-urinary syndrome. It is also called vaginal atrophy VA for short :) It's caused by loss of estrogen. Treatment is simple- a very weak estrogen cream (Ovestin) or tiny pessary (Vagifem) from your GP. It's not worth bothering with over the counter stuff because these might temporarily stop itching etc but won't reverse the changes. There is loads of info online on VA on medical sites if you google.

@time4anothername

if this is hormones and you can get an examination appointment you need to ask for them to look for signs of vaginal atrophy. Search old threads on here for more information.

You don't always need to be examined. It takes a very expert eye to spot early VA and most GPs aren't that expert at it! It can't be seen that easily unless it's in a very advanced stage when the vagina shrinks and the skin looks a very different colour and texture. DO NOT let it get that bad as it's hard to reverse.

I have used vaginal cream for many years and my gynae didn't examine me- he took me at my word that I felt sore and dry.

@JinglingHellsBells thank you. I have a face to face appointment with my GP in two weeks to follow up from my breast pain appointment recently. I will ask her then.

I’ve tried thrush cream and aloe vera gel so far, both ease it a little. It’s worse after I’ve urinated. Not itchy though.

I have definitely had this feeling before, when I’ve had thrush for example, but for me thrush is usually more itchy and I get a discharge. Last time I had this, it went on for weeks and I saw my gp in the end as I was getting worried and sick of being in discomfort. She said everything looked fine and it went away not long after that. It was about 18 months ago.

Thanks again.

That started happening to me after every period. I had no idea it might be related to menopause, bunged some Savlon on it and hoped for the best. That helped and it settled down after a couple of days but since being on HRT it has completely gone away.

What type of HRT are you on? I have a drs appointment coming up and want to discuss it...

@something2say

What type of HRT are you on? I have a drs appointment coming up and want to discuss it...

I was on Femoston 1/10 tablets for a year (they give you a monthly bleed). They were great at first but my moods started getting bad again. Doc upped my dose but its now via oestrogen patches and progesterone capsules taken daily (vaginally) so no bleed. I've not finished the first month yet, but all seems good so far.

Thank you Spodge. Hopefully you'll get on fine with the increased dose...

I experienced this, almost like thrush but a discharge but not thrush- it was just different

I have been using vagifem and this has helped a lot

It took about 6 months for me to work out what it was and GP suggested washing in diprobase.

As Jingling suggested it is hormone related and these need replacing aloe vera or emollient will only treat the symptoms (soreness) not the cause (lowering oestrogen)

@bungabungaboo thank you for replying. It’s still the same, pretty uncomfortable but no discharge or itching. I’m going to speak to my GP when I see her next week.