vaginal dryness treatment

marybelle_2009

15 years ago

Hello, I'm a newcomer and have been looking for relief from vaginal dryness which seems to be getting worse. I'm in my 60's and, had pretty manageable menopause symptoms, fortunately. I never had night sweats and my hot flashes weren't too bad. HOWEVER, I suffer from real discomfort after my hubby and i have sex. This is getting to be pretty darn depressing. Usually I'm OK the next day, but the day after that and then for 6 or 7 days later I have burning, and discomfort which at first i thought was a recurring urinary tract infection, but it's not. It's just me getting to be an older woman with a dry vaginal area.

We are careful to always use a lubricant - and I try to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. I switched primary care doctors last year due to insurance changes and my current doctor is a younger woman who does not believe in any prescription HRT treatments. I had asked about a vaginal cream i saw advertised and she said in essence she would not prescribe anything like that. I know there have been serious issues with HRTs but I'm at the point of throwing caution to the winds to get some relief.

I'm looking for something OTC if possible that deals with the post -sex dryness and irritation. And, also looking for feedback about the pros and cons of HRTs, especially the creams. If people have had some good results, maybe I need to change doctors.

Thanks so much - this is not a topic that comes up easily in conversation so thank you to all of you Garden Web gals.

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Comments (4)

hun49
15 years ago
hi,
I have the same problem but with added intense itching which is there all the time, not just after sex. Infact, the itching and sensitivity is sometimes so bad that sex is out of the question for weeks. My sex life is being seriously affected. My husband is only 43 and I feel bad for him. I had a great sex life when I was 43! I really would appreciate any solutions,as long as its not HRT. I asked my GP about it and all she did was test me for diabetes(the itching)but didn't suggest anything for vaginal dryness. Hope someone has a suggestion. Thanks
lane55
15 years ago
Go for the estrace cream, it works awesome a couple times a week to start and then once a week and you actually get wet from foreplay...it is great after a year I am actually enjoying sex again and having fun.....if your doc won't subscribe find a new one.......eveything has side effects and we as women need this part of our life, you would be surprised how different it mades you feel...I am a different person............the results out weigh the side effects, I do believe it my doctor hadn't given it to me I would never be having sex again and I an only 55........its wonderful...............good luck with it all
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Hi ladies, it has been a long time since I was on here but I first told you of the Endocrine Mender I was taking and it did help but never got complete relief so finally went to health dept and saw a ARNP. I told her I thought I had Lichen Sclorsis so she had to do a biopsy to diagnose it. It was painful but it was positive. She gave me a salve (prescription) Clobetasol Propionate. It has saved me. I feel completely normal and have since only a few weeks of using it. If I feel any twinges I put a little on and back to normal. I can not say about intercourse as I don't have a partner to try that :) but I really think I could. I hope you will push to get diagnosed if you are like I was: I could not move without tearing, it burned and/or itched most of the time, was white with what looked like scar tissue . I was miserable and depressed. Please seek help. The med is not very costly and last a long time. Best wishes to you all. P.S. I was depressed cause all I read was there was no cure for Lichen Sclorsis, well this may not be a CURE but sure is a great treatment.I can live with that.
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I think the change affects women differently. I went to the doctor thinking I was headed for depends like a lot of women when aged, bladder control. I was happy with the diagnosis, it was only dryness. My mom had her first paps test at the age of 70, due to bleeding. The report was not good, but she lucked out also, it was dryness. She used the cream for 3 months and the paps was redone with a good report. Dryness does affect your sexual life, most I know of who do not take hormones do not have a sex life anymore.
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Wow, here I was all primed to write a "help" message, and what you have written answers some of these matters. I was advised by Andi to try the Estriol vaginal cream myself, and am trying to get in to see my Gyn to do that. I am presently on oral estrogen/progesterone and have no other symptoms other than dryness that leads to the kind of discomfort that you describe, making things rather tender and "ouchy" and I am embarassed to always be saying "Wait, hold that moment, I need lubrication!" I have also experienced almost a deadening of sensations in the clitoris. I have been hoping that this would pass. Perhaps I might try your regime of cream. Are you taking any progesterone at all? I understand a balance is important. Thanks for your honest views. Daphne
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marybelle_2009
Original Author
15 years ago
This is an update since I posted last Sept, and I'm very happy to say that i did check with a different doctor who was happy to prescribe Premarin vaginal cream, which I applied 3 times weekly for a month, then twice weekly for a couple months, and now I apply it once a week - and I feel like a totally new woman. I had almost forgotten about my earlier misery and I am never in that kind of discomfort any more. As the poster above said, things have completely improved for me sexually. I have experienced no side effects.

So, altho I know how concerned women are about hormones, I also had a really crummy quality of life for a few months before i went on the Premarin cream, so to me it is totally worth the risk. I hope this helps.
hun49
15 years ago
Hi, I just wanted to update my post earlier on this month. I have had vaginal dryness and external itching for a while. I have used OTC lube when I need it and its been fine but, nothing worked for the itching, until now. I went to my local herbalist/health food shop where I get my vitamins, the female who owns it told me to try organic aloe vera gel. Within 48 hours the itching had stopped. I use it at bedtime and in the morning after I shower. Its worked for me and I hope it will work for any of you ladies out there with this problem.

vaginal dryness treatment

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hun49

lane55

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