Itchiness

[Frostytiger87]

Hi , I’ve been itching in my vulva for weeks now
Meno Dr prescribed Ovestin which hasn’t helped much my usual GP prescribed steroid cream and double gel , I had a swab taken it’s not thrush .
Can anyone recommend a moisturiser that doesn’t contain parabens or loads of chemicals please

If you want to put the moisturiser on your vulva, I'd ask the GP or a pharmacist

Isn't there a cream called Lanacaine or something?

There’s so many lotions out there , I don’t know where to turn , my dr gave me double gel but after reading the ingredients I’m not keen on using it

You could try something like coconut oil, aloe vera gel or jojoba, but I'd use the anti itch stuff that the dr gave or the lanacane

You could also try (if you haven't already) some of these which have worked for me when cream didn't: 1. use bar soap not gel 2. Be gentle - don't scrub 3. blot rather than wipe with toilet paper 4. dry with hairdryer not just a towel 5. bathe area twice a day and dry with hairdryer 6. non scented pads/liner (but I think that's a given for most of us on Mumsnet!) 7. non bio washing powder/liquid and no fabric softener in knicker wash.

Definitely blot not wipe, non-scented pad/liner, non-scented bog roll, bar soap not shower gel or bubble bath

@Frostytiger87

Hi , I’ve been itching in my vulva for weeks now Meno Dr prescribed Ovestin which hasn’t helped much my usual GP prescribed steroid cream and double gel , I had a swab taken it’s not thrush . Can anyone recommend a moisturiser that doesn’t contain parabens or loads of chemicals please

I think before you look at other things, it might be worth telling us how often/ how much/ how long you have used ovestin.

You can use it daily externally (even the 2 x a week for internal use has been changed by many meno experts.)

So you should use a pea size blob, at least once a day, for several weeks, to reverse any atrophy.

Not sure what 'double gel' is?

Thankyou , I’ve been using the recommended dose of Ovestin vaginally for a week I also put a little on the outside .
I’ve attached a pic of the gel

This is the gel that was prescribed by my dr

Double base is more for excema (sp). A gynaecologist advised me that cetraban could be used there.

I would stick with the ovestin and try to find out the source of the itching first rather than what i did and try numerous different things then took even longer to get it under control.

Your so right tootsey , it’s easy for drs to write out prescriptions that cost a fortune
Do you know of Epaderm cream can be used down there ? I’ve bought the cream instead of the ointment

Before I knew about meno and dryness doon there, I used www.superdrug.com/Health/Women%27s-Intimate-Health-Care/Bacterial-Vaginosis/Multigyn-Actigel/p/608629

I think can be found cheaper if you look around. Its actually mainly aloe Vera gel I think. Seems to help balance the ph. This was after other things (not oestrogen) hadn't worked.

Didn't have vaginosis but it just seems to help.

I had this, it nearly drove me mad! Antihistamine tablet helps. I also use the femfresh external comfort gel, or sometimes if really bad, Eurax cream. A friend likes kokoso organic coconut oil.

Thankyou , I’ve been using the recommended dose of Ovestin vaginally for a week I also put a little on the outside .

A week is no time at all!
If you are itching mainly externally, that is where the cream should go.

I don't want to make you feel down but it can take weeks and months to reverse atrophy changes, especially if the labia are shrinking.

I'd really suggest you STOP using other products, focus on the Ovestin in the right place and the right amount, and keep on with it for several weeks.

Double base is for eczema and without looking a the pack in detail I don't know if it's suitable for delicate regions. Presumably yes BUT in all honesty you have not given Ovestin a chance.

The only thing that works for me is vagisil cream

Only thing that worked for me was an antihistamine .

Unfortunately though @JesusWearsPrada and @Maverick66, those type of products don't turn back the clock to make the tissues healthy again, they just mask the symptoms often with a type of local anaesthetic.

Many women find they have more serious issues with atrophy in years to come and it's sometimes too late to get improvement if it's got too bad.

I had a horrendous time with menopausal itching.
I ha all sorts of swabs taken and never once did for suggest it was menopausal related. However I can confirm it most definitely is menopausal related.

I agree with others ....cotton underwear .no perfumes shower gels or bubble baths . Daily antihistamine and if it was really bad then sudo crème for Vulva and prohydrate gel for vagina . I also found paracetamol helped.

Sorry that should read dr never suggested menopause was cause of itching.
@JinglingHellsBells what you are saying is 100% correct unfortunately my dr never picked up on it being menopause related and any conversations I have had with dr about any menopausal symptoms have been over the phone and I have had absolutely no support from my GP.
Never once suggested HRT and when I enquired I was more or less fobbed off. I was told to try and suffer on as HRT was not a 'cure all'
I don't even bother discussing new symptoms with gap now, I just find a way to deal with them myself.

Thankyou all for your replies & advice . I’ve been on Everol 11 months now but apparently the vagina is the last stop for estrogen so needs a bit of help . Jinglinghellsbells I’ll persevere with the Ovestin.

@Frostytiger87

Thankyou all for your replies & advice . I’ve been on Everol 11 months now but apparently the vagina is the last stop for estrogen so needs a bit of help . Jinglinghellsbells I’ll persevere with the Ovestin.

To give you a sense of timescales- I used Ovestin mainly for the same reason and for bladder irritability. I know it took 6 months to have a good effect on my bladder although externally it was a shorter time. Meaning this kindly- you are expecting too much in one week!

Oh my people !! I've had this on and off for months , I used to find I got a bit itchy before my
Periods but now it's almost daily !
I been on patches for coming up 3 months I've just assumed the itching is part of it.
I found too the only way it's stopped is a anti histamine

It's terrible if I'm walking the dogs and the itching starts 😳

Sorry to ask a question without answering any but, can this be a symptom of peri menopause? It's been getting worse for 2 years around my labia, gp appointment in 2 weeks. I'm 43, don't think I have any other symptoms.

I apply Epaderm cream after a bath or shower and it's made a big difference for me. I also use Sanex Zero shower gel for washing. Hope you start feeling better soon.