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Menopause

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Original poster

What could be causing this soreness and itching?

32 replies

OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:16

Have had some delightful intimate itching for about 6 weeks now. It's not constant and varies in soreness/ itchiness but I'm generally aware of it a fair bit of the time.

But what could be causing it?

I'm 51 and last had a period in May so I'm firmly perimenopausal. I don't take HRT but I do use Gina and have done for a couple of months (I am using this to try and combat the issue!)

No new washing powders / soaps / lotions etc

It isn't thrush as I've tested for that and treated with both pessary and cream, just in case. It isn't any other infection.

Its also not internal - it's more soreness and itching around the outside and a little further up.

No discharge, no redness and I don't suffer with dryness

Any ideas what I could try please?

OP posts:
hattie43 · 07/08/2023 16:18

Same here , the itching is so bad I want to rip my skin off . It's worse in the evening for some obscure reason, probably because I'm busy in the day and don't notice it so much .

Nongatron · 07/08/2023 16:19

Hi op I would recommend getting some vagifem in my experience that will sort this out. If you’ve ruled out infection and are peri menopausal then low oestrogen can cause these types of symptoms. Hope this helps

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 07/08/2023 16:21

Topical Oestrogen - cream or tablets. Vaginal Atrophy is another gift from our lovely friend Menopause, resulting in itching, UTIs, dryness and other glamorous unpleasantness. Speak to your GP or you can get it over the counter under the brand name Gina.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:22

@Nongatron I'm using Gina - is that the same thing? If not, I'll switch!

OP posts:
Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:23

I am using topical oestrogen if that's what Gina is? I did the fortnight of it daily and now I do it twice a week or wo

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 07/08/2023 16:23

It's cheaper on prescription, I think. No idea if it's the same sort of dose.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:23

*so

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 07/08/2023 16:23

Vaginal atrophy? Very common in menopause, caused by lack of oestrogen.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:24

@Chewbecca I'll look this up and have a read.

There's no change in the skin though and nothing internal and I don't have any dryness .. so could it be that?

OP posts:
Nongatron · 07/08/2023 16:26

Hi op I’m not in the UK so I don’t know about Gina. I use vagifem which is a pessary. What I would say is that I have been advised that if I still have symptoms to increase the number of days in which I use the pessary. Some women need more than others to manage their symptoms. Hope this helps

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:27

Ok I've read - I don't think it's vaginal atrophy because it isn't internal

However I am swaying towards this being due to menopause after reading these comments. It is perhaps caused by what must be near enough depleted oestrogen levels at my age and the fact I'm not taking HRT - just the Gina.

I will take HRT - just not yet ideally!

OP posts:
Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:28

@Nongatron thank you. I think I'll consider upping the Gina which I do think is vagifem.

It's hard sometimes as I have to do this on my own because my doctor says I can't even have Gina - even though we know the advice on having to be post meno is outdated

OP posts:
lookingforMolly · 07/08/2023 16:31

@OwlFC I use Vagifem which sorted out dryness I didn't realise I had until I had a smear (oops) and I'm barely peri meno though.. so it's weird your gp is being so awkward.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 16:32

@lookingforMolly how often are you using it? I mean, I have it as I do my own research and go private if I need to but it's always nice to have a GP on board isn't it? Glad it's working for you

OP posts:
Nongatron · 07/08/2023 16:34

Hi op seriously these Drs grrrr I had endless trouble and in the end I went to see a specialist who said continue taking the oestrogen pessary but increase the frequency. The dose of oestrogen is very small but literally rejuvenates vulval and vaginal tissue which is adversely affected by the menopause and subsequent drop in oestrogen. Hope this helps I really sympathise it’s miserable until you hit the dose sweet spot and then you will feel relief

BusinessClass · 07/08/2023 16:34

I use that twice a week as well but also sea buckthorn oil capsules ( brilliant for dry skin inside and out) my mum has sjorgens syndrome and was recommended this and it worked brilliantly for her - as an aside I was reading about it and it said great for vaginal dryness as well and fuck ne it works 😂

BusinessClass · 07/08/2023 16:35

It was for my mums eyes and mouth sorry haha and also I was going to have to increase my vagifem but after using this for a little while I haven't needed to

JinglingSpringbells · 07/08/2023 17:00

Ok I've read - I don't think it's vaginal atrophy because it isn't internal

The term 'vaginal atrophy' is a bit vague and it's being changed by some doctors now and called GSM - genitourinary symptoms menopause.

That term covers all the genital area and the bladder.

You could try using Ovestin which is topical estrogen but a cream. You use it externally. You can still use it along with Gina/ Vagifem.

It's only available on prescription but if you are desperate you can buy from an online pharmacy at a cost! They will charge you over £25 and even on a private prescription from a private dr it only costs about £8.

The tube should last you a couple of months.

JinglingSpringbells · 07/08/2023 17:03

Why on earth won't your GP prescribe it for you?
Such a lot of nonsense from some of them.
Women whose hormones are a bit depleted when breast feeding can use it.

The guidance about buying it over the counter says women have to be post menopause (again, rather an odd decision) but your GP can prescribe it for any age.

Change drs to one who is up to speed.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 18:18

Thank you all

@JinglingSpringbells oh I'll never get an audience with my GP for this! But I shall take your advice and I'm going to try the cream too. I can definitely take it alongside the Gina?

OP posts:
rewardacrosstrack · 07/08/2023 18:59

Have you changed toilet paper brands recently? I had similar symptoms and after months of trying everything we switched from cushelle to andrex and it completely disappeared

Cookerhood · 07/08/2023 19:45

Mine prescribed ovestin during lockdown without seeing me (& I've still never been seen), she went on symptoms. I had no vaginal.symotoms but constantly felt as if I needed to pee - I assumed a UTI, which is what they tested it for. Ovestin (internally) for 2 weeks followed by twice a week sorted it out. I can tell if I forget. A friend had hers increased to 3 times a week due to breakthrough symptoms.

Original poster
OwlFC · 07/08/2023 20:19

@rewardacrosstrack no, nothing like that. I use unbleached and organic paper (nothing but the best for my fanny Grin)

OP posts:
bibbotybobbityboo · 07/08/2023 20:25

Do try and see a doc for it. Could be something like lichen planus/lichen sclerosis. I have the former and it can be agony. Gets treated with steroid cream. Usually something you can see if you have a really close look…. 😬

user898191891 · 08/08/2023 13:37

Yes I would get checked out for lichen sclerosis or eczema. You might need to see a dermatologist as IME GPs aren't very knowledgeable about the former and are also wary of prescribing steroids for the genitals. But I do know of some people whose LS was diagnosed by GP so it's the luck of the draw.

Incidentally my dermatologist said that external oestrogen creams are pointless as there are hardly any oestrogen receptors on the outside. I don't know if she's right or not.