TMI - pic included. Strange discharge

[Chwaraeteg]

Hi,

So a couple of days ago I used avaginal moisturiser for the first time as I have been suffering with dryness after my period.

Last night I started getting this strange brown/grey discharge. Initially it was small, flaky chunks and I just assumed that it was just some bits of old period that were making their way out.

Today though, my vagina has been really dry and when I went to investigate, I found myself scooping out big chunks of odourless sludge. It both looks and feels like chewed-up newspaper. What the fuck is this? Had anyone else ever had this?

It's very worrying because this time last year I tested positive for hpv and cell changes and I'm due another smear this month.

To me it looks like dead skin cells. However I would get a second opinion with you me GP

Vaginal moisturizer?? I mean this in the nicest way op, there are supplements you can take to deal with vaginal dryness, nothing should enter your vagina, except for water, tampons and penis/sex toys/whatever you'd use during sex/masturbation.

Yeast infection, you need antifungal treatment from your doctor. DO NOT put natural yogurt on it and don’t put anything up your vagina again ffs.

It was this moisturise I used www.replens.co.uk/our-products. I just assumed that this is the sort of thing that a GP would have prescribed for vaginal dryness

My GPis avoiding seeing people like the plague at the moment so I think I'll just book my smear and ask the practice nurse about this.

You're going to just leave that grey sludgy stuff until you see a practice nurse?

You NEED to speak to a Doctor, not leave it for a nurse to find when she's doing your smear.

To me, it looks like a combination of thrush, and maybe a bit of spotting. I'd see the GP asap about it if you can.

Mmmm, tbh I was kind of hoping it would clear up in it's own/ disappear/there was a simple explanation for what this was and I could just never speak or think of it again. But, I suppose I should call the Dr when they are open (though I'm not sure what they can do over the phone. They aren't seing people in person ).

Could you email the pictures to the gp?

@Chwaraeteg if you read these reviews it seems ‘dark, chunky discharge’ is common.

www.drugs.com/comments/emollients-topical/replens-for-vaginal-dryness.html

Oh my gosh, thank you for the link, the aptly names @Distressingtimes! That's a relief. I'll still call the surgery though, to find put what can be done about the dryness. I'm not using replens again!

Replens is known to cause this type of discharge. I was prescribed it for vaginal dryness after menopause and had the same issue for weeks. I was advised to switch to Yes VM and have had no problem since. Honestly don’t worry it’s nothing serious just an unpleasant result that many women have with Replens.

If you’re post menopausal btw you just need twice weekly Vagifem pessaries to help with internal dryness and Yes VM is really good externally though Ovestin cream is better. You will need your GP to prescribe them, the Yes can be bought online.

I too would vouch for the pessaries, which I'm prescribed, but I can't ever get them to stay in even when I lie flat Is there a special knack to it I wonder? Drives me crazy!!! The discharge was the same for me when I tried Replens. Hope you get sorted soon.

Thanks. I'm only 36 but there is a history of premature menopause in my family. My Dr refused to test my hormone levels when I asked about this (I made the appointment due to experiencing
heavy periods, night sweats and moodswings) because my periods are still regular so I'm not sure what's causing the dryness 😐

I vote Vagifem
It's very helpful.

@Chwaraeteg anyone in the family with thyroid issues? All those symptoms are the same symptoms I had before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Could you maybe speak to the GP again and ask for a thyroid function blood test?

My TSH was about 4.67 when I had a fbc done a few months ago, which I was told was slightly higher than normal but didn't need treatment.

It’s replens. And it is that bad when you first begin to use it. I would not worry about that. Have some baths and let it clear and then you can change moisturiser if you want, it gets much less with regular use.