Vulva & Clitoris Shrinkage

[cosmicbabe]

Does this happen during perimenopause / menopause? I’ve just seen a video about it and it’s horrifying. I’m 46 and do not want to believe this happens !!

From a words only search, it's when the labia just join up. They stick together and 'heal up'.

I'm 77 and still use 4 X pumps HRT gel. Used to have testosterone too but my libido shot through the roof and became quite disruptive lol so decided to stop taking it. Still enjoy sex occasionally if DP wants it too. Orgasms definitely not as strong any longer.
No fusing (yet).

If it helps I'm peri - and my sex drive has gone up!

Fascinating thread to stumble upon at bedtime. I’m off the hrt now due to progesterone intolerance but I’m going to get some juicy Fanny cream pdq.

Another mn win 🥇

Good lord!
A month ago I didn't even know peri menopause was a thing, I read about it on MN. Somehow I managed to find a couple of educational instagram accounts on this topic. I thought it would be sensible to start learning about this stuff to be prepared and ready when the time comes. But nobody talks about all this terrible stuff in such detail.
They definitely advise vaginal oestrogen as early as possible for the rest of a woman's life. But I didn't realise it is to prevent /alleviate such big problems.
I really don't like the sound of any of this kind of future. Utterly depressing.

Yes it is the worse.
Had my last baby at 41 no clue what layed ahead. Now 46 no sex in 4 years and look pregnant too.
Gutted.

The protective benefits of HRT are huge. It's completely different to old HRT and important to understand it and not just dismiss it.

The ignorance around HRT really is astounding when there's been lots of publicity over the last few years.

But how is that even possible? The labia are covered in skin, it’s not like they are open wounds? How do they just fuse together??

OMG, I’m going to have to get some of this cream PP’s talk about. I’m not having my bits just fuse up.

I thought “fanny clamping shut like a clam shell” was just a funny turn of phrase for something giving you the ick, not an actual biological condition for women to look forward to once of a certain age!

The cream gave me thrush.

Re testosterone - it's not proven to work for everyone. In fact, the efficacy in restoring sex drive is very low.

I have zero sex drive. Like a pp, it not seems quite ridiculous. I can't believe the things I used to do!!

The thing is, menopause and HRT are both different for everyone. And it's not a linear journey. I think I'm now on my fourth review of my HRT, having been on it four years (age 57, periods don't seem to have stopped, now been referred for a scan, which has a 3m wait.....).

I'd quite like to want to have sex. I think. I can't really remember!

Sex started to get very painful for me in my 50s.

It’s the opposite. Low estrogen can cause your skin to thin (and wrinkle), hair to get thinner, joint pain, frozen shoulder, depression, etc.

I have this. I'm 53. I can ask wear my contacts but my eyes are often sore. I have "dry eye" permanently now v days the optician. She told me it was a sure effect of hrt. Not sure if that's true. Certainly the number of younger women with dry eye has increased recent years. I still think hrt is worth it though.

I don’t take HRT (the evidence for benefit/risk is actually mixed and will depend on your own risks, so it’s an individual decision - I feel my decision is informed). I decided which sorts of symptoms would make me take HRT and they haven’t happened. I’m loving menopause tbf. It’s made me really think about what I want from life.

I do need to do more weights fhough.

And I ordered some cream online. Which I will use - it’s sat in the drawer next to me at the moment - am planning to start at the end of this week. I just need time to sit down and read the instructions properly as there’s a loading dose then maintenance dose.

That's the last chance saloon phenomenon. It'll soon leave the building for good!

One more public service announcement on the subject...pay £20 for an annual prescription and all meds related to menopause are then covered. Otherwise it'll cost you £10 every month for your vagifem.

Not "all meds related to menopause". All HRT that is on the NHS approved list.

How old is your DH? I’m praying for the day my DHs sex drive goes down the pan.

Any one know of any drugs/herbs I can slip him to make him limp?

Plus vagifem and all topically applied treatments, which specifically address the issue being discussed here.

I'm terrible at remembering to use my vag pessaries but this thread is giving me a kick up the fanjo arse to remember!

All this talk of fusing, shrivelling, and old liver-coloured wrinkly labia must be alarming for the young'uns on here!

But it's not inevitable, with or without HRT. I've nursed many an old woman, some very elderly, and most haven't had any of the above described genitalia.

I'm 71, been on HRT for over 20 years and everything is in good order! If I had a daughter I'd encourage her to do the same, if possible.

Bromide.

Thank you. That's reassuring. We don't get told so much about what happens at this end of the stick.

For those asking, I use collagen powder from Nutrition Geeks

Or you could move to Scotland, where prescriptions are all free.
🤣