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Original poster

Extreme itching- can this be peri menopause

63 replies

HungryHippo20 · 09/01/2024 21:05

Hi there
I've been tracking for months and there is a definite pattern of extreme itching (worse at night) in the two weeks prior to my period. My scalp feels on fire. I have to take piriton every night and it doesn't always help. My cycle is also very erratic, last month it was 24 days and this month I'm in day 34 still no period. It used to be 28 days clockwork but lately it changed monthly but getting more extreme. I also have trouble sleeping and staying asleep and just generally feel shattered all the time!!

Could this be peri menopause? I've suggested this to (make, very disinterested) GP and he almost laughed in my face. I know it can be hard to diagnose through blood tests due to fluctuating hormones but I can't keep going on like this, it's really getting me down!

Any advice welcome!

Thank you ☺️

OP posts:
wheeliegood · 09/01/2024 22:13

@frazzled101 that's not something I experienced personally, but sounds ultra annoying! Maybe some others will see this and be able to advise if they experienced that too.

wheeliegood · 09/01/2024 22:15

(Sorry, just seen the other replies)

Tewkesbury · 09/01/2024 22:17

Scabies?

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 09/01/2024 22:17

I have it on outside vagina for weeks and it is unbearable. I got 1per cent steroid cream for it but at night is worse. Feel like ripping my skin off. My doctor was the same was useless said I was too young at 48 then would not give to me at 52. I went to Family planning/well woman clinic and they helped me out. Also get bloods done for thyroid and ask for antibiodies test and insist, doctors like to make us feel like we are either mental or stupid. Hope something changes for you as it is awful.

tazzy73 · 09/01/2024 22:24

Hi HungryHippo20,

I had an itch especially around my head, legs and inside my ears. I went to my GP. GP's are now going by what women are experiencing rather than bloods.

Once I started the HRT the itch stopped (also the sweats and the anxiety).

Tazzy.

tizalinatuna · 09/01/2024 22:30

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 09/01/2024 22:17

I have it on outside vagina for weeks and it is unbearable. I got 1per cent steroid cream for it but at night is worse. Feel like ripping my skin off. My doctor was the same was useless said I was too young at 48 then would not give to me at 52. I went to Family planning/well woman clinic and they helped me out. Also get bloods done for thyroid and ask for antibiodies test and insist, doctors like to make us feel like we are either mental or stupid. Hope something changes for you as it is awful.

I have exactly this! What to do? I almost tear my skin off. Have not tried steroid cream, only some anti itch creams at night, which sting and then soothe. But it comes back again. Arrrgh.

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 10/01/2024 00:33

Tiz it is awful and if I rub it at all I set off the extreme mad itching, never had the likes in my life. Have had it for weeks now. Hydrochorasyl spelt wrong am trying now, did try sudocrem if I had scratched it to soothe it. Lucky am single as could not stand to be touched there at all. Hope you feel better soon.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:34

@frazzled101 came across this thread as I'm sat here researching reasons for itchy vulva area.

Have been itching for about 8 weeks now. It stopped for about a week and then came back on my last day of period. Am putting it down to hormonal changes.

What did yours turn out to be? Any suggestions?

Have tried every cream under the sun, have just ordered another £30 worth of stuff to try as I sit here in desperation. Have had lots of bloods done but no hormone levels.

Have GP appointment in 2 weeks.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:36

@tizalinatuna @BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants exactly the same for me at the mo :(

HappyHedgehog247 · 20/05/2025 21:36

Have not RTFT but yes. HRT is the answer. If you can afford it St Erme medical for a private video consult and they can prescribe via GP.

frazzled101 · 20/05/2025 21:44

@summerlovingvibesI never really got an answer. Eumovate really helps but I try not to use it all the time. You can buy it over the counter. Vulva balm on Amazon also helps a bit.

the really difficult thing is hot water seems to trigger it so showering tends to set it off. It’s horrible.

BananaSqueezer · 20/05/2025 21:47

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:34

@frazzled101 came across this thread as I'm sat here researching reasons for itchy vulva area.

Have been itching for about 8 weeks now. It stopped for about a week and then came back on my last day of period. Am putting it down to hormonal changes.

What did yours turn out to be? Any suggestions?

Have tried every cream under the sun, have just ordered another £30 worth of stuff to try as I sit here in desperation. Have had lots of bloods done but no hormone levels.

Have GP appointment in 2 weeks.

I’ve got it. Doctor Google tells me it could be lichen sclerosus which can come on with the menopause. I can’t actually see if there’s any white patches down there and think I’m going to have to see the gp about it if even to rule that out. I’m post menopausal and it’s been happening increasingly over the last year. It’s insanely itchy!

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:49

Oh no @frazzled101 I'm so sorry to hear this is still continuing for you! How horrible when it's been that long!

Are there times of the month it's better / worse?

Yep I've got some eumovate and agree that helps. Just ordered a whole bunch of vagisil stuff as feel quite dry etc plus some "ph balance" vitamin things.

I've had endless cold showers in the middle of the night where I basically just use the shower head to spray my lower half.

I'm only 39 but my nana went through early menopause at 35 so I'm wondering if this is the start of it for me.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:50

@BananaSqueezer yes I've read about lichen sclerosus as well but again I don't see any patches resembling it so not overally sure.

BananaSqueezer · 20/05/2025 21:52

I’ve tried the vagisil. I used to wash with Simple Soap and water and switched to vagisil a while back. Then the itching came back and when I tried to use the simple soap again just to see if it was any better, the itching was horrendous! So the vagisil wash definitely helps, and there’s a vagisil cream that is also soothing.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 22:10

Tomorrows delivery!

I ended up ordering about £100 worth of stuff last month.

So I am hoping the vagisil array is more helpful !

Extreme itching- can this be peri menopause
BananaSqueezer · 20/05/2025 22:11

I haven’t tried the globules, but use that wash daily, and the creme with lidocaine is great.

TeenLifeMum · 20/05/2025 22:13

My itching is worse when my ferritin is low. I’m 43 but have had it for 13 years (since dtds were born and I lost a lot of blood). Iron tablets do help but I also live on antihistamines.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 22:22

@TeenLifeMum that's interesting. My bloods came back with low ferritin levels but only borderline low. A few other vitamins low as well so I've started taking a multi vit.

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 22:24

Also trying these

Extreme itching- can this be peri menopause
TeenLifeMum · 20/05/2025 22:24

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 22:22

@TeenLifeMum that's interesting. My bloods came back with low ferritin levels but only borderline low. A few other vitamins low as well so I've started taking a multi vit.

Some people feel low with ferritin of 24. I feel bloody amazing at 24! Currently 11 but was down to 6 and felt beyond awful.

Foolsgold74 · 20/05/2025 22:32

HungryHippo20 · 09/01/2024 21:38

@wheeliegood I guess there's pros and cons to weigh up before starting HRT? Did they talk you through all that?

Don't rely on your GP to talk you through all the pros n cons. Get yourself gen'd up. Loads of podcasts now with info. Read and listen to a wide range of sources and then start to form your own view. Not everyone's cup of tea but Davina Mccall has done lots of sterling work on this recently.

Foolsgold74 · 20/05/2025 22:38

summerlovingvibes · 20/05/2025 21:34

@frazzled101 came across this thread as I'm sat here researching reasons for itchy vulva area.

Have been itching for about 8 weeks now. It stopped for about a week and then came back on my last day of period. Am putting it down to hormonal changes.

What did yours turn out to be? Any suggestions?

Have tried every cream under the sun, have just ordered another £30 worth of stuff to try as I sit here in desperation. Have had lots of bloods done but no hormone levels.

Have GP appointment in 2 weeks.

Have you tried vagifem?

WillimNot · 20/05/2025 22:40

For me it's my legs it feels like ants crawling over me on fire. It's always after 9.30pm. I am still working at that time and I have tried not to but sometimes it's painful not to scratch and I have to excuse myself to the loo to scratch it. My legs look red and sore but Childs Farm lotion is the only thing that helps calm it

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