Trouble down below

[Thisyearcandoone]

Morning all.
I'm really struggling down below being very itchy!
Not thrush as no irregular discharge.
Is this all part of it or should I pop to GP?
Thanks x

I’m jumping in here as I’d be interested in the replies too. Get the occasional itching myself.

See some of the other threads on vaginal atrophy. You don't need to put up with this. Ovestin is a very weak estrogen cream which you can use internally and externally, forever (even old ladies in their 80s and 90s use it.)

Or you can get a pessary such as vagifem. Either way, low dose, localised estrogen.
It's part of it and you should pop to the GP. You could probably do it by telephone appointment, it's really common and if it is VA you don't need to put up with it.

In addition to Vagifem internally, I followed advice from elsewhere - a dab of coconut oil externally can be very soothing. (Aldi in this case)

@SynchroSwimmer

In addition to Vagifem internally, I followed advice from elsewhere - a dab of coconut oil externally can be very soothing. (Aldi in this case)

Ovestin cream better than coco oil- it actually reverses the changes rather than just smearing oil on the skin. Pea sized blob as and when needed.

This is interesting thread. Over the last couple of days I have gone extremely dry and uncomfortable. I am taking HRT tablets and that has got rid of my feeling of panic and hot flushes but I never had this uncomfortable dryness before. I've been HRT for just over 4 months. I missed my review because I was ill with covid so will need to do one when I need a new prescription.

Ovestin really sorted me out. Using alongside oestrogel too.
When I heard of vaginal atrophy I stopped using replens (just treated the symptoms) and asked for something better!

Is vagifem etc available otc?

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

Is vagifem etc available otc?

I don't think so. A quick Google suggests it can be obtained from online pharmacies, but much more expensive than a prescription charge.

I might pay the excess.
Can't quite bring myself to make a GP appointment for a wilting fanjo.

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

I might pay the excess. Can't quite bring myself to make a GP appointment for a wilting fanjo.

Come on now, you've got to. I was just really matter of fact. Did online consultation. Said I had vaginal atrophy, listed symptoms and said I'd like vagifem prescribing please. Was very simple.

I know logically you are right @Theywalkamongstus but I also know it ain't ever going to happen.

I might pay the excess.
Can't quite bring myself to make a GP appointment for a wilting fanjo
Dont be so daft!!

Vagifem internally and Ovestin cream externally twice a week (after initial 2 week loading period). Has been a godsend here, the itching and dryness were driving me insane but now so much better.

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

I might pay the excess. Can't quite bring myself to make a GP appointment for a wilting fanjo.

Trivialising and minimising women’s health issues helps no one. Vaginal atrophy can be horrendous and can cause repeated UTIs. It’s not widely enough known about so many women suffer in silence or are given inadequate/wrong advice.

You can say "menopause symptoms" when making the appointment you don't have to tell the receptionist about your vagina. I had mine as a phone appointment and that makes it easier, in my opinion!
Though mind you after I've had my GP examine my piles, mentioning my vagina didn't seem too embarrassing!

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

I know logically you are right *@Theywalkamongstus* but I also know it ain't ever going to happen.

Ever? No matter how bad it gets? Cos it can get really bad and really debilitating and it is soooooo easily fixed.

Yes. The receptionist doesn't need details, and for the doctor (or quite possibly, practice nurse):
'Oh, I'm fine except for the usual sort of menopause symptoms - I think I need something like ovestin cream or vagifem, which do you think works better?'

*Ihopeyourcakeisshit

I might pay the excess.
Can't quite bring myself to make a GP appointment for a wilting fanjo
You are seriously short changing yourself and others.
You can use vague terms such as ' I'm getting really dry and itchy down below, it's driving me nuts!' to get the conversation started.
With the reception, as others have said you are giving an overview, not a detailed account of what's up.

Just tell the receptionist that it’s a ‘ladies’ problem and you’d like to see a female doctor.
I’ve done it before now.

This is easily fixed with Vagifem or Ovestin. The relief you will get is worth any embarrassment you might feel about talking to your GP. If you don't treat vaginal atrophy it will get worse. Your body needs the replacement oestrogen. OTC meds or lubes won't fix it. There is so little oestrogen in Vagifem and Ovestin that it's not, I don't think, even classed as HRT, but it does the job. I'd urge any menopausal or perimenopausal woman with symptoms of an itchy, sore, uncomfortable, dry vagina to seek treatment. It's life changing.

Surely the good side of getting older is not giving a shit and being able to talk about these things. I saw one of our trainee GPs and she was excellent (was also quite proud of myself for doing it).
Follow up call after initial trial was with young male GP and that was fine too.

And I fully agree with everything @dramaalpaca has written. What a relief!!

I just use Vagisan protective ointment from Boots, it's been a life saver and you only need the tiniest amount.

Vaginsan is just a moisturiser and doesn’t contain oestrogen, so it may help symptoms but cannot reverse or prevent vaginal atrophy.