The strange case of ... the vanishing labia minora

[2JFDIYOLO]

I'd seen several random things recently on Insta by women worried because they'd heard the labia minora can shrink and disappear after menopause.

I'd never heard of it. At 62 I'm through and out the other side and I've read a LOT of lists of peri and meno delights and recognised loads of them.

This has to be one of those windups, like women doing videos on shedding skin like lizards to freak men out ... Surely ...? I thought.

This is silly, I thought. I'll have a feel ...

Anyway. They used to be two different sizes, with the left having a rounder frilly edge.

Not any more ...

Both have definitely got smaller and the frilly bit has ... gone.

Anyone ...?

😳

If it’s constant you that are like cystitis it’s prob VA
get some estriol cream / vagina pesserys
if that’s doesn’t work get introsa
it’s amazing
stopped all my symptoms within days

@Frostiesflakes what are the 9 items of you happen to know? I was told nope to any estriol type cream but yes to the Gina pessaries for example

I use Estriol and this - Yes Vaginal Moisturiser.
Vaginal itching & atrophy - who’d have thought that would be a thing I’d be discussing with my uni mates!
But those two products have made a massive difference.

I don't really get what you're trying to say? Have you misunderstood and think that people are worried about their missing labia minora from a vanity point of view? If so, wtf.

Quite honestly I wish I'd checked mine more regularly, I have let myself suffer with the symptoms of vaginal atrophy for too long really. If I'd been more aware of the physical symptoms I probably wouldn't have dismissed what I was feeling.

@LabiaminorasayonaraI was initially put off by the having to be post menopausal thing regarding taking Gina. I’m not post menopausal and I still have periods

but apparently it’s fine to use so that’s exactly what I’ve done. The amount is so miniscule anyway. I’m sure @JinglingSpringbellscan give reassurance on this if she’d be so kind - she’s a damn eight more knowledgeable than I’ll ever be!

The eczema type condition ( Lichen sclerosus) Cox mentioned sounded horrible and is treated with topical steroids. The most common symptom is itching. I am not sure GPs would identify it.

I recently had to speak to GP for intermittent bleeding (on HRT) and he admitted to lacking knowledge and needing to speak to one of the other GPs. He has referred me for scan so is doing the right thing but is unsure of cause as I had scan and polyp removed a couple of years ago. I think GPs don't really have the knowledge unless they have a special interest in it. It means us individuals have to educate ourselves so we can advocate for ourselves. Threads like this help.

I get estrogel estriol cream getipix progesterone tablets
I used to have vagifem

i pay privately for intrarosa and testosterone

My understanding is that application to a wide area with a good blood supply and suitable skin composition aids absorption into the system as a whole and that the gel is designed to facilitate this. The vulval/vaginal area is small in comparison and the cells there readily absorb the smaller amount of oestrogen before it can travel further.
It’s similar with the Mirena and oral progesterone. I can’t tolerate oral progesterone, but use the Mirena as part of my HRT as the active ingredient is taken up locally without affecting my system as a whole.
But I am not a doctor, so perhaps ask someone medically qualified.

I just get it from Amazon it’s thick like Vaseline not the cream and it’s in a tub

I found as soon as my periods stopped that’s when all the problems with VA started

Went to see a great Dr - Shirin Lakhani for these issues. She recommended rubbing in the estriol cream to areas of concern and I found this to be helpful.

Im not very impressed by this bit of product placement in response to your post

@DustyLee123

The reasons are -

1 It's tiny dose of 0.1% estriol per application. If you use it 2 x a week for a year that's the same dose as ONE DAY on systemic HRT - just over 1 pump of gel in an entire year.

2 There has been research into the absorption levels. The evidence is that there is minute absorption in the first 2 weeks of use when the tissues are thin but after that it's almost zero as it stays where it's put.

@borntobequiet The progesterone from the Mirena is absorbed into the system at the rate of the amount of progesterone in an equivalent 25mcg patch (this is online- I read it.)

I was very lucky and sailed through the menopause but at 64 started getting a very itchy fanny. Drove me mad. Thrush cream helped but I eventually got the mirror out and had a good look. 100% I have VA.
Had a telephone consultation with very helpful male GP. He prescribed estriol cream and it’s been amazing.
Unfortunately I’m now celibate but have indulged myself with a vibrator and lube.
I honestly thought VA didn’t occur until mid to late 70’s.
This thread is so helpful.

It’s mainly the lack of estrogen that causes a lot of VA problems

that’s why it becomes really common after periods stopping as estrogen levels drop dramatically

its also a case of trial and error with different treatments as some work better than other for people

Does anyone know of the GP can prescribe/for the vaginal hormone pessary ring? I had a ring for prolapse in the past (no one mentions hormones then) and it would help now by tackling prolapse and hormones at the same time, if possible.

Yes they can.

This thread is Mumsnet at its best, thanks for all the info and ideas for solutions. I've just ordered the posh oil from Scotland and we will see how we go..

Thank you again, @JinglingSpringbells

That may really help me with the urgency and frequency issues when I’ve been forgetting to use the oestrogen cream. 🫢

Why are we blessed with a failing memory at the same time as an increased need to pay attention and learn about our bodies new ways?!

I was thinking today what did our mothers do without access to things like Mumsnet! I still find some friends are very reluctant to talk about this stuff and after listening to that podcast yesterday I wanted to talk to someone but I know it makes them uncomfortable so MN is ace for sharing stuff anonymously.

Went for a look in Boots today - all the gash stash (SORRY) products were neatly arranged alongside the queue to pay.

Could have put something nice and neutral like plasters and vitamins there... But Nope. I had an audience as I browsed so didn't feel comfortable ...

Being slow here what is a Gash Stash? Never heard it but can imagine.

You can do an online order for Boots and collect it or have it delivered.

@JinglingSpringbellsoh just a charming little phrase I coined as I realised I had quite the STASH of products for my (sorry, crude I know) GASH

Yep mine definitely shrank after menopause. I don’t mind at all as they never did much for me.

My mother suffered terrible menopause symptoms when I look back. She was absolutely horrible to be around- angry, miserable, cried a lot, refused to speak sometimes, blew her top- after age 48. Obviously none of us knew what was wrong and nor did she.

My grandmother had 'a breakdown' at age 50 and spent the rest of her life saying how unhappy she was.

But have times really changed? My sister was sectioned at age 48. Two weeks in a psychiatric hospital and not one person suggested it may have been perimenopause. Now on HRT she's right as rain!