Vaginal Itching

[LoopyGremlin]

TMI I know but...
I am certain I am perimenopausal. For the last few weeks I have had itching. It's not thrush or anything like that. It's more on the labia which is red and irritated. Is this just another symptom? Or should I be worried about this?

My friend had this. Speak to your doctor you may need a hormonal cream for vaginal dryness caused by approaching menopause.

I totally sympathise. I had this for a long time and started getting abscesses in my groin as well. I ended up in UCC at my local hospital one weekend. The doctor said due to the menopause , women can get acute dryness which starts as itching and due to the scratching results in the area being infected hence the abscesses.

He recommended I used either Doublebase gel or Epaderm regularly and frequently. As much as 3/4 times a day.
I now have it under control.

I had this, and asked the doctor to prescribe Ovestin

Ovestin.

Weak estrogen cream apllied externally (and internally too if needed.)

@cheekaa I wonder why the dr didn't prescribe the correct treatment?

The products you mention are for dry and sensitive skin but not for urogenital syndrome (as it's now called!) - they are only a 'sticking plater' approach.

To tell you the truth, I don't know. Even my GP who is aware of my condition has never offered Ovestin. Using the dry skin creams seems to have dealt with the condition.
I will raise your recommendation next time I speak to my GP.

Quick question: is Ovestin a steroid?
Thanks

It could even lichen sclerosis.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) does affect men and women, children, and younger women, but the group most likely to develop the condition are perimenopausal and post-menopausal women. Because lichen sclerosus is progressive, the sooner it's caught and treatment begins, the better

Don’t mind me asking this do you find it’s like when you close to your period? I seem to get this a week before period I am 42 but not any other times

And vagifem pessaries. You need the oestrogen. Listen to Elaine Miller about menopause and pelvic floor health.

Vagifem.

I'm reading Davinas book and they recommend coconut oil, mm yummy

I take ovestin three times a week, and a Piriton tablet daily - really helps

@cheekaa Ovestin is a very weak estrogen cream. It's used for vaginal dryness and bladder frequency caused by menopause.

You can also buy Gina over the counter now. Gina is the OTC equivalent of Vagifem which is like Ovestin but is a tiny pessary, inserted. It won't work on your external area however, as it's not a cream.

@Thrownunderabus LS usually shows up as white areas.
see here

Symptoms of vulval LS
The symptoms of vulval LS vary from person to person. Sometimes, it causes no symptoms and is discovered during tests for other health problems.
The affected area of the vulva may: be very itchy and sore, which may be worse at night
change colour, becoming pale or white
develop small areas of bruising that look like blood blisters
be more fragile than normal skin and possibly split – in children this may cause constipation (problems emptying the bowels).

Posters suggesting Vagifem

You can now buy the OTC version of this called Gina.
You need to answer some Qs by the pharmacist first (you need to be 50+ and post menopause.)

Vagifem won't always be the right product to help sore labia/ vulva as it stays in the vagina as a small 'tablet' and dissolves.

Coconut oil is brilliant. Just remember to put the lid on properly and not leave the jar where your dog can knock it over on a very hot day 😳

@JinglingHellsBells It can also be red, mine was just red and itchy initially. The white only developed later because I ignored it for several months hoping it would go away.

The skin can be red and inflamed, but more often it is whitened. Sometimes tiny purple blood blisters appear temporarily

Can you take vagifem and ovestin at the same time? I've been taking vagifem but I'm.still itchy and sore

Thanks. I've bought some cream at the chemist but will see doctor if it persists.

How often are u using it? I used it as prescribed at first, so twice a week. Wasn't helping much. Then I chanced upon someone saying to use it every day for a month, then reduce it gradually to just twice a week. Total game changer.

I also use Ovestin, it's a god send, I though I had thrush, itching and a uti for months, turns out it was menopause related, within a day or two of using this it cleared up. I could have kissed my gp!

The creams you can buy over the counter are not always very helpful.
(Some contain lidocaine which is a local anaesthetic to take away the pain/ discomfort but they don't address the real cause.)

If you want to try a moisturiser, top meno consultants suggest the YES brand. But many women use this as well as Ovestin/ Vagifem.