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Original poster

Atrophy - is it a problem?!

84 replies

Gardencraazy · 13/08/2026 19:49

Any advice appreciated dear mumsnetters!

am late 50s, currently zero sex life (!!!) , on HRT patches, I do half patches to avoid migraine - at recent smear test, nurse said I had atrophy, ok no worries I said, feeling so embarrassed/ confused / worried! So she said nothing more! Maybe she mumbled about a cream but I rushed out 😳

Should I worry ?! Are there long term implications? Should I be asking for various meds or whatever to help alleviate?

Please help! Feel so embarrassed about it all!

OP posts:
bocketyaulbag · 20/08/2026 08:32

It's very common. I also had a sore rectal area which is linked. I use vaginal pessaries. They help a lot.

bocketyaulbag · 20/08/2026 08:33

rivalsbinge · 20/08/2026 08:04

I wonder if this is what I have? I’m 51 on HRT but I keep waking at 4am scratching myself like crazy.. and then I go back to sleep wake up in the morning sore and during the day it calms down and then nightly again the itching starts. I do it without being fully awake as well. I have just realised I haven’t had any discharge for maybe a year + as well so this post and googling has just made me realise I may have this. I’m not sexually active so no way of knowing about dryness with sex etc

Yes I had terrible itching also and didn't recognize it as atrophy

JinglingSpringbells · 20/08/2026 09:45

Additup · 20/08/2026 07:29

With respect Jingling changing from pessaries might help @Biiz . I used vagifem for over a year with no problem but then they started causing uncomfortable bladder feelings/urgency. I swapped to cream inside and out and it was all resolved. I think the pessaries can be a bit drying for some people. I use an estring now and its fab.

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@Biiz is having a problem emptying her bladder. That's not the same as urgency, frequency and burning but even if she does have those as well she still could have prolapse. (I've had surgery for that.) Not saying don't try cream but just be aware there could be other things going on as well.

ClawsandEffect · 20/08/2026 09:52

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ThatPearlSnail · 20/08/2026 10:08

I tried the pessaries but didn't get on with the applicators, so I requested the Estradiol cream. It works really well for me every other day following the two week loading period. I use Estrogel as well.

I had a total hysterectomy and the atrophy was probably the worst symptom and it happened scarily fast. Gp only offered Estrogel at first, even though I presented with hot flushes and dryness. It was my own research that informed I should also use pessaries/cream so I requested using econsult and the prescription was there the next day.

rivalsbinge · 20/08/2026 16:35

Lottapianos · 20/08/2026 08:17

@rivalsbinge , itching or feeling hot / dry / irritated in your vagina or vulva could definitely be signs of peri related issues. Highly recommend vaginal oestrogen cream. It feels so nice to apply - really cooling and smoothing,like putting a lovely body lotion on dry skin. My issues were mostly to do with weeing a lot, and it took around 8 weeks to feel much difference but I've been so impressed with the improvement

Arhh thanks off to the GP again, I’ve been stupidly using thrush treatments on and off.

Doodledoggle · 22/08/2026 18:38

justasking111 · 14/08/2026 14:01

No-one warns us about the atrophy. If mens penises shriveled up, itched and bled they'd be shouting.

It bloody annoys me that Mumsnet made me aware and I had to fight for a year to get the cream. It's rationed so when I ran short got a private Cost tube of it online.

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It isn't rationed at all. My GP gives me 4 tubes a month! NHS prescription.

Doodledoggle · 22/08/2026 18:52

Biiz · 19/08/2026 12:31

Is anyone having difficulty emptying their bladder, I use vagitabs 2 per week, haven't used the cream. Would this help

Agree with PPs. I'd try and see a gynae / uro-gynae.

I have bladder prolapse and struggle to empty. Usually have to do a main stream, stand up, then sit down and tip forwards on loo seat to fully empty.

justasking111 · 22/08/2026 21:19

Doodledoggle · 22/08/2026 18:38

It isn't rationed at all. My GP gives me 4 tubes a month! NHS prescription.

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In Wales prescriptions are free. It's a finite resource so I top up privately if necessary.

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