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Original poster

Vulval Itching ? Peri menopause

61 replies

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 14/03/2019 23:24

Hello

I have vulval itching at night which is driving me pottySad

I am also getting very sweaty down there at certain times of the month so wondered if it could be peri menopause.

I am 43 , have also been getting sore boobs.

The itching is really getting me down and making me feel like a dirty freak Sad.

OP posts:
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 16/03/2019 20:24

I meant vagisil, I think not vagifem. What's vagifem?

endofthelinefinally · 16/03/2019 20:29

Vagifem are tiny oestrogen replacement pessaries.
On prescription, they are very effective.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 16/03/2019 20:30

Thanks.

serialtester · 16/03/2019 20:45

If anyone can shed any light as to why it's worse at night I'd be grateful! Thanks to this thread I'm going to the doctors this week.

endofthelinefinally · 16/03/2019 20:47

I wonder if it is because it is warmer at night, or maybe more noticeable because you are trying to sleep? I think everything feels worse at night.

Papergirl1968 · 16/03/2019 20:58

Don't know why it's worse st night but I can't wait to get my knickers and trousers off in an evening and change into either a nightshirt or old loose PJ bottoms!

Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:16

@Blastandtroph thats a really helpful post , i will try those.

Here i am again laid awake itchy foof again.

Wish id got some aloe vera in the fridge.

Whatever hormones i have as pessaries / cream i will need to be careful as i cant have hrt ( am under the family history breast cancer clinic ).

OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:19

I saw this on Amazon it looks soooo soothing with aloe & tea tree in .

Vulval Itching ? Peri menopause
OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:24

@serialtester im glad my thread has encouraged you to go to the doc - im going too.

Mines not thrush , and iv got other peri symptoms too .

Apparently its a symptom to feel as though you have insects crawling over bits of your body because youre so itchy.

OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:25

If i had a hollywood would that help me to look after my ageing itchy dying fanny more comfortably?!

At least then I could just keep covering it with aloe gel .

OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:27

@sleepyFlump i had a look up for you and i think yours might be the lichen condition mentioned earlier x

OP posts:
beeyourself · 17/03/2019 01:28

It would but only until the hair starts to grow back - then it would be worse.

I'm having similar OP - please let us know how the GP visit goes

Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:28

Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that causes itchy white patches on the genitals or other parts of the body. There's no cure, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms.
Check if you have lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus affects people of all ages, including children. But it's much more common in women over 50.
It causes patches on the skin that are usually:
• itchy
• white
• smooth or crinkled
• easily damaged – they may bleed or hurt if rubbed or scratched
The patches can appear anywhere, but most often are on the:
• area around the opening of the vagina (vulva) and anus – in girls and women
• foreskin and end of the penis – in boys and men
See what lichen sclerosus looks like on the vulva and anus

Lichen sclerosus patch on the vulva

A large patch around the anus
See a GP if you have:

•	an itchy white patch on your genitals or skin
•	been diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and treatment isn't helping
•	been diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and have pain when going to the toilet or having sex

Your GP may refer you to a specialist for tests and treatment.
Treatment for lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus cannot be cured, but prescription steroid cream usually helps relieve the symptoms.
You may need to use the cream regularly for a few months to get your symptoms under control.
If your symptoms keep coming back, you may have to keep using it every now and again.
You can get more cream from your GP if you need it.
Things you can do to help
To help stop your skin becoming irritated or damaged:
Do
wash with emollient soap substitutes instead of regular soap – ask a doctor or pharmacist about suitable products
gently dab your genitals dry after peeing
regularly apply a barrier cream or ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to affected areas
wear cotton or silk underwear
use vaginal lubricant if sex is uncomfortable
Don't
do not scratch or rub the affected skin
do not wear tight or restrictive clothes – women may find it helps to wear stockings rather than tights
do not wash your underwear with detergent – just use water
Problems caused by lichen sclerosus
Although treatment can help, skin affected by lichen sclerosus can sometimes become scarred and tight over time.
This can cause discomfort when peeing, pooing, having sex or getting an erection.
If it's severe, you might need a small operation, such as surgery to widen your vagina or remove your foreskin (circumcision).

OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:29

@SleepyFlump iv just put the info on here for you ...

OP posts:
Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/03/2019 01:30

Good thinking @beeyourself !! The grow back could be awful .

OP posts:
MakeTeaNotWar · 26/03/2019 21:05

I've been miserable with this too for about 18 months. It's unbearable. Went back to the GP about it again today and she spotted a mole growing in the area so as I have a history of atypical mole, I have an urgent dermatology referral Confused

Original poster
IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 27/03/2019 00:17

Oh bless @MakeTeaNotWar . Let us know how you get on.

Did GP suggest anything to help soothe the area ?

Im going back to the GP on Thursday...

OP posts:
Blastandtroph · 03/04/2019 14:42

How are those of you suffering with this doing? Thanks

picklemepopcorn · 03/04/2019 16:47

I really notice if I forget to use vagifem. So it must be helping!

Blastandtroph · 03/04/2019 16:53

That's good @picklemepopcorn Are you on the twice a week dose, like me.

picklemepopcorn · 03/04/2019 16:56

Yes. I find personal organisation quite tricky, and often go a couple of days too long.

Megan2018 · 03/04/2019 17:00

I have this, but I'm 41 and 16+6 pregnant so definitely not menopause!
I had it before I was pg and it has continued!

It's not thrush - had everything tested recently. Weird.

Blastandtroph · 03/04/2019 17:09

@Megan2018 no I guess not in your case, congratulations! Hopefully pregnancy hormones will sort it out.

I do think the irritation can be exacerbated by external factors (tight clothing, chemicals in soaps/washing powders, years of san pro etc), well at least in my case.

Harveyrabbit76 · 03/04/2019 17:14

I had this and went to see the GP and i was given steroid cream which has cleared it. Also was told to use aqueous cream. Just had a baby so not menapausal! I also have a similar condition on my scalp and its driving me insane

MakeTeaNotWar · 03/04/2019 20:53

My dermatology appointment is on Monday. The GP referred me as she spotted a mole down there that I didn't know I had. But I don't think it's the mole that's itchy, it's more on the underside of the um "flap"

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