Replens moisturiser - very worried need advice possible TMI.....

[dementedworrier]

Have namechanger as so, so embarassed . I am 48 and after a few months of being generally uncomfortable saw some stuff about vaginal dryness and started using Replens. Ive been using it for a month now and it has stopped the itching but instead I am shedding clots and clots of off white lumps which look like matted tissue . It doesnt smell at all and is deffo not thrush. In the leaflet, the manufacturer does say that 'you may notice an...residue which is the gel clinging to old skin cells...and with prolonged use the vagina will return to normal'.....well this has been going on for a month now and I am beginning to panic. Has anyone else used Replens and had the same effect? Please?

Bumping for you, hope you get sorted soon xxx

I would stop using it and go and see your GP and get proper advice. Dryness and soreness is such a common menopausal problem - your GP can prescribe some treatment. (I don't know anything about replens BTW) It does sound as if it might be just dead cells plus residue - but it can't be very pleasant.

I see this info from their website suggests you reduce use if this happens:

Some women may notice a residue after use of Replens?this is caused by the elimination of dead skin cells. Your body naturally sheds dry vaginal tissue that has built up over time. Replens helps this happen, leaving softer, more supple tissue behind. When used on a regular basis, Replens will prevent the build up of dead skin cells and the discharge should dissipate. If the discharge does not dissipate, you may wish to wait an extra day or two between applications. While use is recommended every two to three days, every woman is unique and you may wish to increase or decrease the amount of time between Replens applications to maximize moisture and minimize discharge.

Hi all,

Saw your discussion and thought I'd chip in as I have been getting Replens on prescription through my doctor for the last few months, who assures me that the discharge is perfectly normal and will vary greatly, depending on how long and how dry you have been.

When I started using the product, I too was concerned at first. But talking things over with my GP (and several friends who have experienced the same issues), made me realise that it's all perfectly normal.
I find that using a pantyliner also helped..

I hope this helps a little ?

Thank you all SO much, especially BluebumedFly for being kind enough to bump for me! Pearson - do you mind me asking how long it went on for in your case? Am really grateful for everyone's advice.

Hello..

My experience of the discharge lasted about 7 or 8 weeks roughly.

Unpleasant, but really worth going through as things are so much better now.. and all without having to go through HRT !

Hope all works out well for you too..

I am a regular but name changed for another post and can't be arsed to change back..

have not used Replens ever, but my gynae ( your GP could do the same) gave me Ovestin cream. It is localised HRT- oestrogen cream and does WONDERS. Only a tiny amount is absorbed into your system and it is safe even in most women who could not take HRT.
I'd advise you to give it a go if you need to.

No

you revived a zombie thread

to add 'no'

FFS

I can't even work out what her 'no' was about!

Hi, what happened with this?, ive used replens 3 times now and noticing the same today, thick, clumpy,white with black bits discharge .... no odour though ?

Hi Bellamond1! I’m in the same boat. I’ve used it once 3 days ago and noticing white discharge, honestly just like bits of toilet paper.

All I can find is it’s either the cream itself or the bodies own discharge (dead cells?). I’m unsure if I should keep using it. It doesn’t exactly make make me feel “comfortable” to have this going on.

How did you go with your use?

@Rose4321 If this is still about replens you might be better starting a new thread as this one is years and years old- things have moved on in terms of what's available.

I’m experiencing same thing! It’s gross. I would just continue using and hope it gets better like they say it’s supposed to except during sex it’s going to be noticeable if my guy gets very close if you know what I mean. Oral sex is out of the question and he’s going to wonder what’s going on if I suddenly won’t let him for a couple months. I’m annoyed and going to look into other products without this nasty side effect

Hi. Just wanted to say that exactly what you described has just happened to me when I used my fourth tube. Your description was perfect. I think it is just what was explained in the leaflet and nothing to worry about. It is odd to see but then it's the first time we have moisturised that area. I was actually in a panic and was reassured reading your post - I had forgotten what was in the leaflet until you reminded me. So thank you.

Replens is not recommended by specialists.

If you need something, it's best to go for vaginal estrogen which actually reverses the changes rather than adding 'slip'.

if you still want slip, they recommend YES products.

Thanks for the advice. I was prescribed Replens at a urogynae clinic about two weeks ago so it is still very much used here.

@poorlymum It depends why you were given it.

If you are using it for more comfortable sex, that's one thing, but if you have symptoms of VA- increased weeing, pain, irritation, signs of a UTI and no infection- then the treatment is local estrogen with moisturisers being used in addition.

sorry- meant to add that pain during sex is also a sign of VA because the vagina shrinks and the walls get thin and can bleed. Replens won't sort that out.

I reported vaginal dryness, querying the peri-menopause (with other symptoms too). Replens was prescribed by a very qualified urogynae nurse practitioner. It has helped other women at the bladder clinic I was at with urinary symptoms too, so it does work. I guess everyone is different.

@poorlymum It doesn't reverse the changes to the vagina and bladder at a cellular level. It can't because it's just a moisturiser and you can buy it at supermarkets. It's not a prescription item.

If it works for you that's great, but a nurse is not a gynaecologist so if you need more help in future, see a dr.

So thoroughly grateful for this thread. Sex life came to a sudden screeching halt upon my discovery of this bizarre discharge. Was strange because there is no bad odor. No itching. And I had honestly been enjoying the relief of having an increased sense of lubrication and moisture.
I'm taking probiotics, swabbing with pure aloe and eating unsweetened plain yogurt just for increased vagi health. May try the Replens again in a few days, but I truly hope for no more discharge. It's odd, gross and off-putting.

@WaterfallsOfLife Replens is not recommended by gynaes. This is because it contains glycol and mineral oil which can irritate. YES is the one that they often suggest. However, if you have vaginal atrophy and have never had breast cancer, you should be using estrogen in the vagina to reverse the changes. See your GP

ps A watery discharge is a sign (ironically) of dryness and the vagina needing estrogen levels restored. Eating yoghurt and swabbing with aloe is not going to really do the trick.