Thrush or atrophy?

[GinAllAround]

During my last 2 periods I've ended up very itchy and burning down below and when I had a look, it looked quite red and sore. No discharge or smell at all but last time it happened I assumed thrush, dosed myself with a Canestan capsule and cream and was fine in a few days. But now it's happened again and I'm wondering if it could be the beginning of vaginal atrophy? I've only had thrush maybe once before in my life so it would be strange for me to get it twice in the space of 2 months now. I'm only 46 but I've been on HRT for about 18 months now.

I do have some Vagifem pessary es around that I've not been very strict about using so I guess I need to try that again. I didn't have any of these symptoms before though.

Perhaps get yourself checked for lichen sclerosis, but atrophy is a likely bet.

I know the symptoms of LS and it's definitely not that - no broken skin or white patches. Ah the joys of getting older... 😒

Use your vagifem as prescribed regularly.
You may also need to use a vaginal moisturiser, preferably one that's made using natural ingredients.
Regular use is key...

I've had a similar experience. I suggest getting swabbed to check if it's a yeast infection. That will answer that. The thrush creams can be soothing, but that doesn't mean it was thrush.

I've used a lot of strong steroid creams to deal with the symptoms. They work but I've finally been given estrogen gel to use locally and it seems to have made a big difference. I totally get how you can think it's yeast, it feels a lot like it, but it might not be the real issue.

I didn't think they could test for thrush/yeast infections? The home tests I've seen only tell you if you've got BV and if you don't it's "probably" thrush but I don't know if the GP does a different test. I was up at 1am today as I was so sore 😭

The GP can do a swab, send it away, and it will be cultured. This is a good way to rule out infection by bacterial means, yeast, or whatever, and get the right treatment. Hopefully if you get the right treatment, it will be the end of it for you. If not, you may be given steroids or estrogen, depending what your doctor decides is going on and needed.

I use Vagifem internally and Ovestin cream externally twice a week. In between if there’s itching the Yes vaginal moisturiser is really soothing and can be used as often as needed.