Dry vulva, painful sex

[AlwaysPettyOnTheInside]

I'm on sequential hrt but still suffer with some dryness, not in the vagina, that's actually ok, it's the vulva and surrounding area, it feels dry and delicate, and I've had issues when having sex, not the sex itself so much, but penetration. A few days ago dh entered and as he did I got a small split at 6 o'clock.

I have premature ovarian failure, so early meno, I'm 42, and want to sort this out.

What would be the best product to use? I've seen pessaries suggested to others but I want a moisturiser/oestrogen cream or gel for the external area, I presume?

I have similar problems. I was referred to a menopause clinic and they said I had lichen sclerosis and prescribed a steroid cream. These days I rarely use it, but I do use Estriol cream every other day over the whole area and when my GP last examined me she said the whole area was pink and healthy, so it must be doing the trick. However, we still use plenty of water based unfragranced lube during sex to avoid tears. You can get moisturiser for the area too, I think I used to have an olive oil based one but can't remember the name, sorry, but the Estriol cream works better for me. It's similar to the pessaries you use vaginally, but I found it better for the whole area.

Thanks, I'll look into that cream then.

Thanks for posting, I have a similar issue. Will look into the Estriol cream, isn't the menopause a joy?

There’s a Vaginal Atrophy group on fb, great info about creams and treatments.

I use ovestin inside and cetraban outside to stop the itching and heal the small cuts and scratches I get from the itching.