atrophy intensive regime needed?

[GayPareeee]

I am using ovestin every night, on 75mg patches with occasional oestrogel. I have 3 separate vulval tears, also have splits around my bum and am so itchy I am scratching to bleed most days. I start the utrogestan in a week which makes it worse.

I have pessaries and replens, but can't work out what to use when, can someone explain or point me to a resource which helps in a multi treatment regime. I am literally at my wit's end :(

Don’t your pessaries have the prescription regime on the box? It’s those that will fix the atrophy. When I first started them (I’m on Vagirux) I was told to them every day for a week I think, then drop down to once a week.

Oh and a company called “Yes” make much better vaginal moisturisers than replens. My Gynaecologist only recommends “Yes”

Oh I am so sorry that must be awful. Do you have thrush do you think? Has a GP examined you? It does not sound like you are treating the problem, just the symptoms produced. I don't think you are on the right treatment. I don't believe the

(sorry) I don't believe the utrogestan will make those things worse. You need a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks, sorry it's oestrogen internal cream nightly plus patches. I'm using both as prescribed but think I need extra (last two times is been this based I was swabbed and nothing found).

I'll look at getting some Yes, can I use it with the oestrogen cream?

Have you been investigated for Lichen Sclerosis? Sounds like the state I got in before diagnosis and even now when I get flare ups...

Oh Lord, no, last thing I'd need. I did look and it's very red but no white patches

In addition to hrt I use

vagifem pessaries twice a week (the dose at the beginning was everyday)
Ovestin cream on vulva 3 times a week

i believe they have different types of oestrogen so I feel like both is good. Also apparently the pessaries help the pH of your vagina which helps the vulva

I also use yes moisturiser and lubricant, Canestan when needed and sometimes a tiny bit of steroid cream for chafing on outside edge of vulva or some coconut oil or Vaseline with cocoa on outside again.

Sometimes it gets burning and stinging and it’s hard to know what will help. Obviously no soap or bubble bath etc.

It takes constant maintenance and it makes me miserable so sending sympathy.

oh huge sympathy OP - been there, It’s awful

I use vagifem/vagirux pessaries twice a week but started with 2 weeks taking it every day

ovestin cream mixed with yes VM twice a week externally

yes VM twice a week internally

I had Vagifem pessaries every day for two weeks, now just twice a week which has done the trick.

I didn't have white patches at diagnosis either...but with treatment it got better quite quickly...it was the itching till I bled that sent me to the Dr . I've had it years now and manage it well..with occasional flare ups...

Replens isn't great. Gynaes suggest YES instead.

Ovestin every night on the outside plus a vagifem pessary every night for 2 weeks. Then you reduce the pessaries to twice a week.
You might need some sort of nappy rash type of cream to use all over the area until the other creams kick in and don't use soap or scented products.
Hopefully you will start to feel better after the first 2 weeks.

Thanks, I've just ordered some. I've also had another look and my vaginal opening has completely disappeared and my v red and swollen vaginal walls are bulging out top and bottom so really think I need to see GP on Monday

I use a hyaluronic based moisturiser - Hyalofemme. It was recommended on a breast cancer support group where many women are on hormone blockers and can’t use HRT. I started using it when I started taking Anastrazole.
I used it twice a week and had no problems. I’ve noticed when I forget it does cause some discomfort.

Just to add hormone blockers put you into an extreme menopause so you go through it at high speed. You will be glad to hear that there is life after menopause. Apart from the odd hot flush I feel normal again. Most of the problems I have now are side effects from radiotherapy and hormone blockers ( interestingly the side effects are not menopausal symptoms).

@GayPareeee I had intense itching too. I could scratch till I bled and it all got so swollen. I was diagnosed with LS after a biopsy (not painful) and prescribed a high potency steroid ointment - which didn't work so I had to research for myself and find things that work. I haven't got any white patches but it's now spread to my perineum and anus. Cream with Lidocaine in it does the trick. For the record many doctors know little about this so go in armed with facts. Ask for a referral to Dermatology to get the right treatment

I think we need to know how long you have been using the treatments @GayPareeee

If it's just weeks, then it can take longer.

I'm confused over cream and pessaries. And you said you were too!

The usual regime is either Ovestin or Vagifem, (14 days, daily, then twice a week or more depending on severity of the problem.)

Some women use Ovestin externally as well (with Vagifem internally.)

If you have severe atrophy, it could take 3 months to see any major improvements.

The other possibility is that you are reacting to something in Ovestin (like an allergic reaction) . To find out, you'd need to stop using it for a few days and see what happens.

Sounds like you need to see the GP. You can ease up the itchiness with Vagisil to make it bearable while you wait for an appointment.

My gynae and a dermatologist put me on a strong cortisone cream morning and night for 3 months. (I do have LS). If if returns, then carry out the regime again for a month. She said this could take 5 years to get under proper control

But what I find really works is Dactacort. And also Epaderm was recommended on a Vaginal Atrophy group. A big tub is cheap. A good blob of ointment, spit between both hands then one rubbed into your vagina and another on your perineum and anus has definitely made a difference.

I too am on patches and Ovestin pessaries. I also rub Ovestin on the vulva.

Will thank you to whoever recommended vagisil, once the burning subsides is remarkable.

I'll look into epaderm, I got some 100% shea butter recently so could try that too