Dry, dry vagina

[Nicolarer]

When I was 33 I was seriously ill and my periods stopped. My consultants response was well you don't look like you are pregnant. Anyway after lots of pushing my GP I started HRT about 6 months ago. I am 45 now. I am on the strong 100 Oestrogen patches and my levels confirmed by bloods are OK.

The trouble is I have a really dry vagina. It didn't worry me too much, except now I have met a man I really like, and this is putting me off starting a relationship with him. So I summoned up the courage to get a gp appointment who prescribed Oestrogen pessaries. I tried the first yesterday. It was really hard to insert, presumably due to how dry my vagina is and when the applicator came out it was covered in blood. I am not bleeding from my vagina on my knickers though. Any advice please?

Try lube on the applicator until it has started working, which may take a few weeks. You may do getter just sticking the pessary on your finger and inserting it manually, as high up in the vagina as you can manage.

'Yes' vaginal moisturiser is the best ime, cost effective compared to others.

Obviously if the bleeding continues you'll need to be seen by a hcp.

Thank you @Ffoxx lube is so obvious, but I never thought of it. The nurses use it when I have a pap smear, as that is extremely difficult. I didn't realise it took a month or so to work so thank you for that info. Will have a look at "Yes' thanks again for the reply.