Tenderness down there

[SparklyMistleToes]

For the past 12-18m almost every time I've had a sex I am quite tender down below around the skin just outside outer labia. I use loads of lube to try and help with this, but nothing seems to help. I don't actually even need to use it as I produce enough naturally, but I've been trying it to help with the tenderness.

Does anyone know if this is a peri-symptom? I'm. 42 and starting to experience some peri-symptoms over the past year.

Have you mentioned it to your hcp? Atrophy is very common but I'd have thought 42 was quite young for it, though happy to be corrected.

I'd ask for vaginal oestrogen pessaries if it is peri related but as I say may be worth an examination to make sure nothing else going on like recurrent thrush.

I used to have re-occupant thrush after sex for about a year. Not had any issues for a couple years now.

As for your first point of Atrophy - I'll admit I've never heard of that before, so had a google lol. This 2nd definition sounds incredibly depressing 😂😭

2.* gradually decline in effectiveness or vigour due to underuse or neglect.*

She doesn't get a lot of action, but shit.... 😂

Vaginal oestrogen. Mine cleared up in under a week.

Nooo its nothing to do with undersuse or neglect , rather reduced oestrogen causes tissue to thin which is easily resolved with vaginal oestrogen but you'll need a prescription. As I say though 42 is young for it I think so have a chat with a hcp.

Thank you. I will do. Just been put off by the useless doctor I saw last time when I went for a reoccurring thrush infection. Rather than show any interest in my issue she sent me to the loo in the lobby to do my own swab! Then failed to contact me to tell me the swab came back positive. Only found out when my male midwife told me a month later that the swab showed a positive result in my records.

I'm well overdue for my smear test though, so I'll make an appointment and discuss it then. My bladder has gone to shit in the past year and I'm already starting to have leaks if I can't make it to the loo on time 🫣

OK then definitely ask about vaginal oestrogen. Preventing atrophy doesn't just prevent soreness, it improves the health of your perineum helping to prevent UTIs and incontinence.

Thanks for asking this! I need it too.

What is the soreness about then?