Who knew your fanny shrivelled up and ran away when you hit mid 50s!?!

[shrumps]

I certainly didn’t and I miss it! The only part of my body to become skinny and Im absolutely pissed off. Why did no one tell me about this?? And now I feel I can’t tell anyone else in case it’s just me.

Good riddance to it and hormones that made me do stupid things.

If your GP isn’t aware of this then they bloody well should be! It’s obviously a common problem with, for many of us, a very easy solution and the sooner treatment begins the better.

My GP told me not to bother with the stupid applicator thing, just put a blob on your finger and wipe it in and around.
Takes seconds!
I will use it til I die!

I'm in my 60s and have lost over 8 stone in the last 18 months. That combo means mine hangs there like a pair of bomb doors stuck on open. Feels like a bloody wind tunnel when I'm walking.

I can't use cream/pessaries as I had aggressive oestrogen-fed breast cancer and the risk is just too great. Considering inventing a fanny bra.

This thread is depressing, call it what it is plainly - hormonal fluctuations beginning at 40 or around 40 causes vaginal atrophy. Which causes itching around your period, of the inner labia, micro tears and possibly urinary tract infections. Estradiol cream twice a week or more (or as indicated by your clinician) will help alleviate it. Everything is a massive joke isn’t it.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the irreverent and witty posts on here, thanks Constable Fun.

Bet you get invited to a lot of parties 😂 everyone loves an energy vampire

Which is best, the cream or pessaries? I have tried Gina bought online but now told I am too old at 77 so need to see GP and not sure if the cream would be better although it sounds like it may be messier. I have had several UTI's in the past and not had one since using Gina.

What if you’ve never had visible “flaps” and everything is on the inside? Does it stay the same then?

I literally have no clitoris left. I have just been prescribed the pessaries and so Im hoping that makes a difference. It is sort of there but is a fraction of the size it once was and you could go at it all day and barely feel a thing. Orgasms are very different too. A very slight release feeling but thats it. Generally everything feels like the plumpness has been sucked out. The whole area is like a bean bag without only half the filling.

If I see a minge whinge I come on to reassure the young'uns that it's not inevitable that this stuff happens!

I'm 72 and all is well - I have a full minge, no UTIs, no cave(!) but I have been on HRT for over 20 years. It's not the answer for everyone but it has served me well

I think that's just that the on line pharmacist won't prescribe past a certain age?
There is no reason that you won't be able to get it when you see a GP

God, ain’t Mother Nature a total dick.

It all just shrinks more

I'm 62 and on HRT and use Vagifem internally, twice a week. Thank you for this thread. I used to wander around with an itchy foo foo and think, is it just me! It is so upsetting and uncomfortable. I'm just thinking there must be lots of older ladies suffering, who never get help or relief.
I've told my 26 year daughter about this dryness problem. She's appalled but at least aware. I told her to embrace her greasy hair and skin as at least she's lubricated.
Just to add, I always thought I had thrush, but it was just itchiness. I sometimes would put a bit of lube in the outside of my vaginal lips, as well as using Vagifem.

It's everything @WearyAuldWumman !

It's 'well described' online.

The vagina shrinks and can become shorter. The walls become thin and the tissues can bleed, worst case. There is a loss of lubrication.

Externally, the labia shrink too.

All can be improved with estrogen but there is a point of no return (without a LOT of intensive use of topical creams and even dilators to stretch it all.)

Yes it's a totally different product.

Your gel is systemic HRT.
Estriol cream is localised to your vulva and vagina. Not systemic.

Even if you've had cancer you can still use estriol cream.

Ideally you need the cream to use externally and pessaries work in the vagina..

Thank you for your answer! Topical
as have an hrt review next week and beginning to get mild itching so keen to get ahead of this issue and get the cream too.

@CutesyUserName The guidance has changed and most women who have had BC can use vaginal estrogen- see a meno specialist if necessary (and privately as NHS won't do anything fast.)

?

Don't understand.

I just said I was noticing a bit of soreness and discomfort after sex and I'd been researching and thought it might be vaginal atrophy and had heard oestrogen cream could help. I was 58. She asked a couple of questions and prescribed no problem. It's on automatic repeat 3 monthly. Its recommended every day for 2 weeks as a loading dose then twice a week for maintenance. Seems to be working 😉

@WearyAuldWumman thanks for sharing your experience ill see how my appointment goes, as I said im not on HRT anymore but maybe something topical will help.

Jesus, I'm 47 and no peri symptoms yet. My sister has been on some gel for years, she's 45 but I never really asked.

I’ve not long turned 40 and been struggling busy TTC for a few years now with no luck that I haven’t even looked into what’s ahead. Now I’m realising I’ve got some serious reading up to do!!
Strange in school you learn about puberty, periods, getting pregnant etc but nothing beyond that!