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.

As Jingling says, just ask your GP for estriol topical cream
you probably don’t even need to see them, telephone call or online request should do

apply as directed internally, and moisturise everything outside with it too. The instructions don’t actually say this, but this was the advice from the private menopause clinic I went to.

Many women suffer from it to an extent.

Lube and estrogen work differently. There are some lovely (scientific!) online on medical papers showing how the vaginal walls become thin and potentially tear (and they can do this even without having sex.) Using estrogen changes the cells back so they are thicker and lubricated. This is an ongoing process so if you stop, they get thin again. (Some women need systemic HRT as well if it's really bad.)

Bladder health isn't just about giving birth. The bladder lining thins just like the vaginal skin and can cause frequency, pain etc.

Lube just puts a layer of 'junk' over the top of the fragile cells to reduce friction.

You can see your GP but if you're over 50 now you can buy Ovesse at a pharmacy- it's the same stuff. I think you can also buy it online.

Difference is cost- from GP it's a prescription cost, buying it, it's around £20. That would last about 8 weeks or less using it more often initially.

If you had a really early menopause your GP should refer you for a bone density scan. That's really important to check you don't have the start of osteoporosis.
Much higher risk if menopause is under 40, or even 45.

@JinglingSpringbells thank you for all that information. Yes I have bone density scans as early menopause was 38/39 when confirmed so definitely under 45. I do have the start of osteoporosis and take meds for that for life. I was not allowed HRT due to a blood disorder. Will I be allowed the estrogen cream? Presumably it’s ok as it’s topical?
The things women have to deal with huh? Glad there is hope for a sex life in the future though.

Catching up with this thread after work, just wanted to say thank you all very much for the helpful advice and comments.
I didn't specifically ask for oestrogen cream at my appointment yesterday, but I did ask if there was anything that I could try alongside Vagifem, and the answer was no. I don't think I could get it without a prescription due to my age, but might be worth pushing the GP again in due course.
For now, I'm off to read the Yes website and look at the Naydaya oil as lots of you have mentioned these in particular.
Thank you all again, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

You should be able to use vaginal estrogen as it's a tiny amount and not absorbed in any meaningful way after the first 2 weeks.

Without knowing your blood disorder, it's also possible that you could /can be allowed HRT if anything changed and you wanted that. A lot has changed with prescribing over the past 10-15 year. Most HRT now does not increase the risk of blood clots, unlike for example the Pill. Its all mostly topical- not pills.

If you get any negative response from your GP, see a specialist privately even if you have to pay for one appt, just to get an up to date assessment.

@JinglingSpringbells thank you so much I did not know that. Yes it’s blood clots. I’m in my 50s now and the symptoms are much calmer than they were but perhaps it’s worth investigating for the future. Especially with regards sexlife and bladder control. I had written myself off as prematurely old (compared to my peers) but you have given me hope.

I use Vagifem 5 days a week, and Yes WB on the other two.
I also get an emollient on prescription.
I'm 62 and had a surgical menopause a few years back, with no follow up care or advice, resulting in VA and mild prolapse.
The biggest bonus for me is not needing to get up for a wee several times a week.
I'm also going to be seeing a women's physio soon.
I'm not sexually active so can't say if I'd be able to, I definitely couldn't before this treatment!

It's something to look into, certainly.

Read the information leaflet with it?

Well my GP is going to contact a specialist before prescribing me any cream. He said it was contraindicative to allow me to use it even though I was quoting some of this thread. I haven’t had a blood clot since 1991, it was post operative and I was a smoker then. I will have a long wait I suspect so will go and buy it over the counter as suggested up thread until they make up their minds. Thank you@JinglingSpringbells for all your wise words

@JinglingSpringbells sorry to message you on this thread but I don’t know how to send a private message. I got the cream prescribed, thank you for your advice. Just one thing though, I’ve been for a scan today and they said the lining of my womb is 17mm and are referring me for a biopsy because they said post menopause it should be much thinner. I’ve googled womb thickness (mistake) and am a bit scared now. Hoping it turns out to be nothing but my question is: should I stop using the oestrogen cream (I’m day 5 of the 2 weeks daily application) immediately or am I ok to carry on? I have a follow up appointment with my GP but not until 20th October and I know I won’t be able to speak to her before then as even the telephone appointments are weeks in advance at my surgery. I can’t find the answer on the internet or the leaflet that came with the cream. Thank you in advance

I use BalanceActive pessaries before sex. Supposed to use overnight but they're so messy. My doctor has just prescribed Ovestin too after I've been asking for a while. She also suggested Yes, and coconut oil. I actually also use Emla cream to numb it, GP wasn't shocked about that to my surprise.

How would you get coconut oil inside? It doesn't come with an applicator. Would you use an applicator from something else?

Put lube of choice on, ahem, object to be inserted...?! 🍆

Although as coconut oil is a a solid at room temperature you could conceivably insert a small chunk! 🤔

Nb not tried and tested!!

@Hairyhat I just saw this.
I feel a bit conflicted here as I'm not your GP or consultant and they should have told you what to do.

However, women using vaginal estrogen do not have to use progesterone to prevent womb lining growth, because it doesn't do that.

So on that basis, it's probably okay to carry on. It's a tiny dose anyway- not like systemic HRT.

Hope all goes well with your next appt.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells I have a referral to a specialist now. My GP spoke to me yesterday. Thanks to you I went in the first place.