Urethral and vulval stinging after showers during menopause, anyone else?

[MissGorringe]

Hello

For a long while now one of my worst menopause symptoms has been stinging and pain in the urethral / vulval area after I have a shower. It fades after about an hour. Anyone else had this? How did you treat it and did it resolve?

I have been using a estriol cream externally for a little while now but it doesn't seem to be making any difference and in fact it seems worse. I do all the other recommended things like washing with emollient etc. been checked for lichen sclerosis and apparently not.

Id be interested to hear anyone else's experience to at least know I'm not a freak!
Xxx

@Jerrybalanitis I think posters assumed you were in the US by the OBGYN. In the UK not all gynaecologists are obstetricians, so it's not a term that is used (unless it's accurate) whereas in the US it seems they use that term all the time.

Why are you so hostile? Its a forum for ideas and opinions. I am genuinely interested. Of all the places where people should be kind and supportive, it is odd and counter productive to be so strangely angry. I have done nothing but calmly explain and answer peoples comments, I have not reacted or insulted people. I have tried hard to engage with some people who made assumptions and am honest and a genuine human. Just try and remember I am a person too and you come across as rather unpleasant yourself. I am sure you are not in real life and nobody knows what others may be going through but this is a forum, not a year 7 clique although one does sometimes wonder.

My menopause doctor (OBGYN) is from Twickenham. Most doctors here are British these days sadly.

I've had similar issues for years, not related to menopause, I think mainly related to sensitivity to soaps, loo roll etc. It does seem to be getting worse now I'm mid 40s though. I use epaderm ointment twice a day as a "barrier", and when in the shower i bend over to wash my hair so the shampoo doesn't irritate me. No soap used at all, just the shampo. It's very annoying and frustrating to never find an answer - I've had various tests since my 20s which haven't really helped. Hopefully with a combination of the various suggestions from PPs you'll find something that helps.

Most of us have either found something that helps or are still suffering. I think it's a matter of trying everything and anything and ditching the things that are not helping.

I was prescribed oestregen cream (I am not using HRT) and I found it unhelpful to say the least of it, stinging etc., and even after months of heavy usage, not much difference I'm afraid. I had had internal uterine surgery and boy, did it leave me in bits down there. It fixed the bleeding problem though! I don't have any infections or lichen sclerosis etc.

Anyway, I tried every product I could find for down there and easing the itch, including just water only and here's something that worked for me! It is E45 bath and shower oil. I use it in the shower, and when dried off I smear it on externally leaving a film which lubricates all day. OMG it has fixed the itch and the discomfort.

Look, what works for me might not work for you, but it's worth a try.

Where are you?
The fee you pay is incredibly cheap. Here, it's more like £300 for a private specialist.

Thanks @Imicola and @paomara I agree there's lots of stuff that can be very irritating and it is a lot of trial and error. I do think menopause makes it worse though sadly.

Even the shampoo washing down your body can cause irritation. Does this happen when you have a water only shower with absolutely no products?

Yes - I find this too, with water from the shower. I use Hydromol to wash and then apply a layer once I'm dry.

I'm waiting for my fourth consultation with a doctor as I'm in the middle of an almighty flare up. My first appointment was December last year and no one has yet actually examined me.

I was prescribed Blissel but I reacted badly to it. I now have Estriol cream but I'm so sore I'm too scared to try it yet. I think I need a steroid to calm everything down.

Regarding pushing through the initial soreness: I was so sore with the Blissel I couldn't tolerate it. How much are we supposed to put up with until things get better? Even Yes VM stings at the moment.

I know @FergoMcFergFace - it is difficult to know what to do for the best. I do wonder if doctors / health services were more proactive in prescribing it would be better to get in there early to prevent these issues. Too late for me now I guess.

Yes - it's not a great place to be. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle at the moment. Or like I'll end up like one of those poor women from Embarrassing Bodies who've had "thrush" for 15 years.

Try something like plain vaseline or sudacrem and apply the tiniest smear of estrogen cream (not both at the same time.)

Blissel is a gel and as it's more water-based it may sting more than cream.
Are you saying you have not been examined in 8 months?

Honestly, if you can afford it you should see a gynaecologist who is experienced in this kind of issue. For £250 ish you might get some proper treatment. you don't need a referral from GPs now for most consultants.

It's not too late at all. old ladies in their 80s start on it.

The issue is you need to keep going with it and not expect it all to be 100% better in 4 weeks.
Try applying a small smear of cream every day (or more often if you've showered etc.)

I use hydromol to wash, then also as a moisturiser.
Vagirux pesseries for atrophy
Dermovate ointment (I get flare ups of Lichen Sclerosis).
I know you said you’d been checked for Lichen, but it doesn’t always show up in the early stages, might be worth getting checked again? But it does definitely sound as though there’s some vaginal atrophy anyway.

@JinglingSpringbells thanks. Your info is really helpful. I admit I didnt really persevere with the pessaries and cream, looking back i think I did expect instant results. I didn't know it was a long term commitment

What's the very expensive soap?

I’ve noticed a huge difference after changing to bamboo loo roll. Also use Nadaya wash and oil every day and estriol twice a week.

Its called Glizigen. It is about £20 and doesnt last that long but very soothing

No - not examined in eight months. I've been referred to a gynaecologist to discuss systemic HRT because I have a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. That was seven or eight months ago. Annoyingly, I had a voicemail message from the hospital saying they had a short notice appointment the next day but by the time I phoned back, the appointment has gone.

I have considered going private but I was under the impression that the prescriptions would have to be paid for privately too.

That’s helped me. Thank you for solving the mystery. But ffs!

Many women on hrt have NHS prescriptions after seeing a gynaecologist privately. GPs are not legally obliged to prescribe on a consultant's recommendation but very few refuse.

If you've not done it already, look into family history of cancer and HRT- if this is your GP saying you need a specialist opinion, check it out. You usually have to have 2 close relatives - mum and sister - with BC at a young age for it to be relevant - or a mum with BC before 40. If there is a really strong history you may need to ask for the BRACa gene test.

(Check this out )

It took 6 months for it to make a noticeable difference to me.

What were your symptoms, @JinglingSpringbells and how much discomfort from the oestrogen did you tolerate? I really couldn't make it past seven days on Blissel. Everything swelled up. Then a few weeks later, I reduced the dose by avoiding the loading period and I still reacted after a couple of applications.

I'd rather PM you than have it all here, if that's okay.

Only if you feel comfortable, @JinglingSpringbells.

I'm sorry - I shouldn't have asked. I'm just at the end of my tether and looking for answers while I wait three weeks for my next doctors appointment! 😩