Best vaginal moisturiser?

[Lucy304]

Hi all,
I'm 41, been on Vagifem for 2.5 months (GP prescribed). Went back to the doctors today because I don't think it's doing a lot.
Apparently, the answer is to just keep at it, because it may take longer to start working. Nothing else was offered.
So, just wondering if anyone can recommend a good otc vaginal moisturiser and/ or lubricant? I currently use V-San but keen to know if others have found something better. For lubrication I have used Sylk and the Durex Naturals ones, but I still find sex uncomfortable.
Any suggestions appreciated, thank you.

I use Yes VM daily and it’s made a huge difference, I wish I’d found it years ago!

@abdnhiker thank you, this one has got some good reviews on Amazon!

I've heard good things about organic pure aloe Vera, and food grade organic coconut oil.... 🥥🪴

I use Yes, the lubricant - it was recommended by my gynae and its really good.

Are you using Oestrogen / Ovestin cream? That might be worth exploring…

I’ve just been looking at yes vm as I too really suffer with painful and dry intercourse. Can someone explain the application to me please? Does it need to be (erm . .) “shoved up” sort of thing just before intercourse? How long does it last? Would I need to apply it every day if I was on holiday and going swimming and what not? Sorry I’m very ignorant and haven’t been able to have sex properly since menopause.

Another vote for Yes VM. Yes water based lubricant also good.

Your GP is right. It takes time for topical oestrogen to thicken and strengthen the tissue and restore elasticity and is recommended to give a minimum of three months and then review. If at that point your symptoms haven’t resolved, and you are also using moisturiser, changes could be made like in increasing the frequency or trying a different treatment.

Yes VM is a vaginal moisturiser - use as you would use moisturiser anywhere else on the body, once a day or when needed. You can buy it with individual applicators or more cheaply in a tube and buy an applicator that screws on from e.g. Amazon.
Yes WB and Yes OB respectively for water and oil based and are used as lubes,separately or together (call double glide applying one on him the other on you). Some women find yes VL being water-based stings on already sore tissue in which case you could use Yes OB as a moisturiser instead which can also be used externally on the vulva.

There’s lots of useful information on the Yes website

Oil based products work more effectively used externally on the vulva as aremore protective against friction and irritants and less likely to be wiped off. Emollient ointment like Epaderm or Hydromol are good for this and can also be used to wash with.

I use Dr Wolff, its a tube of cream and an applicator. Use as needed, usually ever 3 days at the start of my cycle, don't seem to suffer later in the month.

I do notice it coming out gradually at the rate of normal discharge over a few days so it obviously lasts a while.

Lubricant wise I like liquid silk from love honey.

I use epiderm as a moisturiser on the outside as I have lichen sclerosis

@Lucy304 9 weeks or so is not long,

However, I remember when Vagifem was more than twice the strength it is now. It used to be 25mcgs and now it's 10mcgs.

I have no idea why it was changed. But one possible way forward is to use it 3 or 4 times a week not twice.

I've never used it myself but read other women's experiences and I have used Ovestin cream (same but a cream) now called Estriol 0.1% for almost 20 years.

It can take a good while to work. The other issue with Vagifem is the tablet stays in the vagina where it dissolves but it doesn't really change the tissues round the vaginal entrance very much. You would need to apply cream there to see a difference.

I'd ask your GP if you can have both- Vagifem to insert and Estriol cream for externally.

JinglingSpringbells I asked my GP for Vagifem and Ovestin cream but they wouldn't give me both. I like Vagifem but felt I needed something for the outside. I think I will try and buy the cream from the Pharmacy.

What reason did they give?
It's appalling that GPs are acting as gate keepers to these very simple, cheap products.

JinglingSpringbells, she said you either had to have one or the other. I tried the cream but preferred Vagifem. I just felt I needed a little extra on the outside. I had a battle to get HRT in the first place.

I’ve finally been given estriol 1mg cream-is that for inside or outside and what will it do?

Could you try explaining to her why you feel the need for both?
If not, just buy it.

Why did you ask for it? What are your symptoms?

I have been back and forth with vaginal and vulval soreness. I read the book 'Me and my menopausal vagina' and it mentions about using both products so that is why I asked the GP.
I haven't had much luck with gynae issues. When I had my last DC, I ended up with a fourth degree tear and my bladder stopped working. I had a catheter in place and the wound got infected and broke down. The scar that I am left with has become more painful since the menopause. I get paper type cuts on the scar if I ever have sex. The GP knows all this. I think I will just have to buy it from the Pharmacy.

estriol cream externally and internally
nadaya victory oil externally
uberlube lube

these 3 have made the biggest difference to me in peri.
been using them since March and the difference is like night and day

Inside (use the applicatcor) and smudge a bit extra around the perineum and inside the labia.

It restores oestrogen to the vagina & cervix, improving bulk and elasticity. Use it two or three times a week.

It's not a lubricant as such - use a lube as well if needed for sex. The estriol cream takes a few months to work, so you may find you require less lube in due course.

You need a different GP. That's disgraceful- the lack of support.
I'm sorry for all you've gone through.

JinglingSpringbells, thank you. I am just feeling down today.

So (penetration) sex will continue to be painful unless I use a product for at least 3 months beforehand? Think I’ll continue with my celibacy. Only potentially need it for this one holiday week.

@Lucy304 I had this issue for over a year after my hysterectomy and tried so many things, including steroid creams as I thought the itching and soreness was dermatitis. My GP referred me to the vulva clinic at gynae and they had a look and said it was atrophy, and although I was using the gel hrt everyday, I wasn't as good about using the internal pills. I had to use the pills every day for four weeks and use Ovestin cream externally for four weeks, then every other day for four weeks and now on twice a week for the internal and three times a week for the cream and it has really really helped. I still have itching and soreness but not to the same extent. As a lubricant during sex, one of the vaginal oils I bought, Nadiya, is really good.

@Hairyhat If you have VA (now called GSM) you need to use treatment for life or it will only get worse.

GSM (genito symptoms of menopause) isn't just about comfortable sex- it also includes bladder health, pelvic support, feeling comfortable all the time- not just for sex. Very old women (in their 90s) use it regardless of having sex or not.

It's not much different to putting hand cream on your hands or a moisturiser on your face.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells for this advice. I had no idea. I didn’t know sex was going to be painful because my relationship is mostly sexless and have only tried once or twice in the past 5 years. When it hurt I ignorantly thought it was because of lack of use! I had an early menopause and wasn’t given any advice but wasn’t allowed any HRT despite me initially begging the doctors I saw due to such severe symptoms (thankfully a long time ago now but at the time it was grim and I was very miserable). It’s only because of Mumsnet that I am vaguely realising what it all means. So VA is vaginal atrophy? And every woman gets it to a certain extent after menopause? My bladder seems to be ok (for now) and I’m definitely comfortable except when trying penetrative sex. I haven’t had a vaginal birth so I was hoping my bladder etc would be ok. Do you think I should see my GP for prescription cream? I’m still confused (it doesn’t take much though) as I thought all I needed was some lube and we would be good to go so to speak. I’m happy to apply moisturiser and incorporate it into my routine especially if it will help with other things as well as painful sex.