vulval inflammation/itching - hormonal/menopause

[t1lly]

Hi, i'm 49 . 7 or 8 years ago I had a run of vulval/vaginal itching and mild inflammation, usually before my period. Saw a couple of GPs they weren't really interested and then it settled down - I found Vagisil and used that to cope.
Haven't had anything since but the last couple of weeks I've had very mild irritation - not enough to bother me but I noticed it. Since yesterday however I've had really horrendous vulval swelling and inflammation (sorry TMI) and itching. Vagisil is taking the edge off it but it's still terrible. I'm a few days before my period and am pretty certain its hormonal, related to perimenopause. Confident it's not thrush or an infection. Has anyone had similar? If I ask my GP will they be able to prescribe my a stronger cream than Vagisil?
I've actually got a first prescription for HRT sat here but haven't yet started it for various reasons.

It may be the result of vaginal atrophy (sorry!) in which case oestrogen cream (mine is Ovestin) will work wonders. Call the GP on Monday, if you've got a new prescription for HRT they may be happy to prescribe it over the phone.

thank you, yes could well be linked to something like that. It has felt like a horrendous wild hormone rollercoaster just these last couple of days! I will call GP, the HRT thing is complicated because a close family member has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. That's not the only, or even main reason I didn't start the HRT, but it has given me pause for thought.

Went to GP about this and she prescribed a really heavy duty emollient as a first line treatment. Made a big difference!

Oh that sounds positive, thanks. Did you have inflammation/swelling too or was it mainly itching/irritation?

Just updating this thread for the benefit of anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation/searching mumsnet for advice....
I limped through the weekend in a huge of discomfort which I just about kept a lid on with a tube of Vagisil and a tub of Cetraben cream ordered off Amazon.
Got a docs appt today and she agrees its probably hormonal/menopause related and has prescribed oestrogen cream. She was great - went through the risks related to breast cancer but stressed its a very tiny dose compared to full body HRT and felt the benefits for me would outweigh the risks. So I am going to try that as of tomorrow. Also discussed that swimming, which I've been doing a lot of, might have aggravated the situation, I'm going to try using vaseline as a barrier cream next time I go (which won't be for a while unfortunately).
Hope that's helpful to anyone going through similar! Was such a relief to be taken seriously.