Here is a page I found. I don't know anything about that product mentioned.

Here is a link that might be useful: women

Estradiol is estrogen and even though it is applied topically it has the same risks associated with any estrogen products.

I don't know the severity of you problem but have you tried using OTC vaginal lubricants like KY jelly, vaginal moisturizers like Replens and other things in the feminine products area of your drugstore?

I haven't experienced the dryness although I am almost a decade after my menopause but I'm sure you'll get lots of answers and opinions here.

You should see a good gynecologist. I have a terrible problem which turned out to be a non contagious disease instead of dryness. It can't be cured but the uncomfortable symptoms can be controlled with an ointment prescription called clobetasol. I had been to other gyns and none picked up on it, they just said dryness. My doctor said she has girls as young as 5 years old that has it. The prescription is about $15.

You might want to try a aloe gel made for that area. It is usually sold in the birth control area of the pharmacy.

I used the Clobetasol that Vala mentioned on my hands for a skin issue and it thins the skin terribly. It is a strong steroid cream... please be very careful using it. I am 50, but my hands look like an 80 year old's.

vala55 -- It was a Gyn. who prescribed this, after an exam. If this does NOT help, I'll be sure to ask about disease and clobetasol. Thank you.

wildchild -- The Gyn. described the vaginal lining problem like this: If you put a lubricant on a second degree burn, it would still hurt like "H" if you rubbed that area. He said he has breast cancer survivors using this with no problems.

joann_fla -- Thanks for a very interesting link. I guess I'm just stuck with the estradiol as the best of the bunch of 'cures'. I had polycystic ovaries -- surgery before I was 30 -- endometriosis blocking the one still-useful ovary.

Anyone USING this?

Vitamin E works well, and it's very inexpensive.

Like Kayjones, I use Vitamin E oil available at the health food store. Vitamin E is a healer, a natural product, and safe to use.

I have been using it for years now and it has not bothered me. The discomfort was painful. I had to use it 2 or 3 times a day until I was comfortable then I used it every other day for awhile then once a week unless I need it twice a week. I am not to sure of that schedule but it was something like that. I also have a lotion I use on my head, it's either use it or have sores and lose my hair. I have seen that happen to one man who did not use the right med. Meds never affect everyone the same way. I am 73 and if my skin gets thin it's worth the comfort and hair that I have. LOL

Yes,I have used Estradiol....altho,it wasn't needed "forever"...used as recommended,which for me was (if I remember correctly) about 3x/wk. then once a week as a maintenance dose.

I also had to be put on my patch,known here as Estradot...the closest synthetic estrogen on the market here at the time I needed it.

The Estradiol usage was way back in my 30's a few years after my hysterectomy..the patch came much later

"The Gyn. described the vaginal lining problem like this: If you put a lubricant on a second degree burn, it would still hurt like "H" if you rubbed that area. He said he has breast cancer survivors using this with no problems"

maybe SOME survivors, but for us with hormone related breast cancer, i really doubt any ongologist would suggest using any product hormone based...a lot of us, in fact, are on fermera, an anti-hormone drug, to control and assist in staying cancer free...

Susanjf made an important point about hormone based products - you still need to check with your specialist before taking some of these item - even Vitamin E. Just because it's labeled natural doesn't mean it's safe to use for everyone.

My OB/Gyn told me to use rose hip oil and an estrogen based cream for dryness. I checked with my oncologist and he promptly said to avoid them and was surprised the my OB had recommended them.

I have a friend who had a hysterectomy at an early age and went into menopause instantly. She got such a bad case of vaginal dryness that she said even WALKING was excruciatingly painful. Her gyn put her on a hormone replacement and that took care of the problem. She has since changed meds, I think, to a really low dose of something, but I had no idea that dryness could be so painful. I hope you find a solution soon.

I keep Vaseline and A&D ointment around the house and in suitcases. Not a dryness issue. Our toilet is picky and we can only use the 1-ply "tree bark" toilet paper... so there is some "discomfort" after an extended stay in the potty. I figure both products care okay for use with diaper rash so they should be fairly safe in that area (I am assuming you don't have to put anything INside? If so, I have no idea what to suggest but you have my sympathies!)

Of course, my solutions to most skin issues is Vaseline since it is one of the very few things that doesn't irritate my skin.

Well, thank goodness. Finally, a problem I don't have. I have had occasion to use Monistat and was thrilled when it went OTC.

On Dr. Oz just lately, they said a little olive oil works good, you (or your partner) can massage it into the vaginal walls.

I have been using Vagifem for a little over a year now and I was also shocked at how expensive it is. I'm supposed to use it twice a week but have found that once a week works just as well.

Have I expalined the problem clearly? The Gyn. diagnosed the cause of my pain as due to extremely thin lining in the vagina. There's no 'cushioning' there. The estradiol is intended to 'plump up' those skin cells. The hormone is applied locally, not taken orally, so absorbtion elsewhere in the body should be minimal.

I have not had breast cancer. I have had cysts -- breast and ovarian. Breast biopsies were negative three times. I don't have a family history of breast cancer. The only cancer in my family was my mother's leukemia. I *may* be a DES baby; not certain. I did not experience early menopause nor did I have post-menopausal difficulties. AFTER that, during the time MD's thought it would help maintain healthy hearts, I was on hormones for two years -- until I experienced bleeding and was taken off them. (THEN I got to experience the hot flashes, etc.!)

An overly-eager Gyn. operated and removed one ovary along with a chocolate cyst when I was 27. Now I am 69, the other ovary is no longer palpable. My utereus is intact. I have never conceived a child. (My infertility problems pre-dated invitro solutions.)

I'm to use this product daily for 14 days, then twice weekly. Do I understand from those of you who use estradiol that you can stop using it eventually, or use it only once a week?

Those who use Vitamin E or an oil -- Is this for MY problem (extremely thin vaginal lining)? I want to be clear that no *lubricant* will help.

Thanks, all, for your wisdom.

I have vaginal issues as well. Dry, sore and itches like crazy. Many times I have to wiggle a bit to relieve the itch and even walking hurt. They have me on a steroid cream now, tried Premarin, but I'm allergic to the applicator and that caused even worse symptoms. Ever try using an ice pack down there? Not fun, but about the only thing that gave some relief. (scary picture)
I go and see a dermatologist next week, hopefully there will be some answers for me. The steroid cream does help though.
What I have is called "lichen sclerosis et atrophicus".
Kathy G in MI

Here is a link that might be useful: Lichen Sclerosis info

kathyg -- So sorry for your problem! Guess I should be happy my trouble is entirely internal and doesn't itch or hurt all the time. I'm not ready to leave my DH or join a convent, though, so I hope this estradiol works!

I'd still be interested in hearing of an alternative for the estrogen.

I've not heard of a great substitute for this product. Everything I've heard from reliable medical sources is that a topical application of an estrogen product such as this used relatively infrequently (some people can use it much less often than weekly for maintenance) does not have the same risk of side effects that a daily oral medication does. However the patient information insert used in both topical and oral products is the same.

Lichen Sclerosus is a truly evil disease! It strikes women in their 50's and later that have gone through menopause,usually those that are not on any type of hormone treatment.(it can occur earlier but is not as common and in some rare cases men get it) It gets diagnosed improperly many many times as yeast infection or dryness etc. It is not contagious but can run in families, if you have other auto immune diseases you are at higher risk to have it, many with diabetes and thyroid disease will get it.
the Clobetasol ointment which is a very strong steroid can thin the skin however the disease is also responsible for thinning the skin drastically, in some cases the skin will actually slide off with just slight pressure, causing skin splits and open areas which are extremely painful. It has been shown that those with LS can be more prone to skin cancer in those areas. A biopsy will give a definite diagnosis.
The fact that LS alters the skin tissue also leads it to grow abnormally and often times the skin will grow over parts of the female anatomy, can cause closing of the vagina and rectum, and urethra for which surgery would be necessary to correct.

If anyone suspects they may have LS please ask your OB-GYN to test for it and not simply pass it off as yeast or something else. It is not curable unfortunately and for many the ointment does not work very well. There are a few other treatment options nothing with guaranteed success.

Help spread the word and get our senior women knowledgeable about LS and help get the OB-GYN community active in diagnosing it and finding relief for it.It is amazing how many I have personally encountered that have LS and yet the info on it still says it is rare, the many forums on it would prove otherwise!

I speak from experience I was diagnosed shortly after menopause and suffer with it daily. I also happen to have diabetes and thyroid disease as well as Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis so I definitely fit the profile.

a google search on lichen sclerosus will provide more info and many forums where it is discussed and alternate options for relief are discussed.
Discussions like this are very beneficial to help educate and spread the word!

Sue, YES - vitamin E oil is for irritated tissue, and is found for about $4 in the pharmacy at Walmart.

When I aged (got older), my Gyno. told me to use vitamin E oil for vaginal dryness, because I refused to take any artificial hormone preparations.

The oncologist told my cancer-ridden husband to use it topically during chemo, because his nose and face were inflamed from the chemo chemicals - cleared up the sores within a few days.

Here is an excerpt from power-surge.com:

"You can insert a vitamin E capsule intravaginally for lubrication and to ease the pain of dryness. No need to break open the capsule; the pH of your body will do the job. This is one of the least expensive, most natural and effective ways of treating vaginal dryness. Just check the outer coating of the capsule first to make sure there are no sharp areas, so that you don't scratch the vaginal area when inserting.

You can also cut open the capsule and place the vitamin E oil in the palm of your hand, then put some on your finger and insert it into your vagina. Again, make sure you have no nails that are sharp which might cause scratching or irritation."

I hope you find this information helpful, and that your issue is soon resolved.

Chisue ---I hope the cream works for you but if it doesn't then perhaps you could consider changing your activities. I don't know how to say this politely but perhaps other avenues should be explored that would please you both. There are lots of ways to skin a cat as the saying goes and some of them might be much more pleasurable in your situation!
Joann

Ravencajun,
Thanks for the info. Yes, I have diabetes and thyroid disease also. I'm in my 60's and started menopause at age 41 and have never used hormone replacement.
Knowledge is power!
Kathy G in MI

Thanks, all.

I'll ask my Gyn. about the Vitamin E. However, he made the point that it is not a 'lubrication' or 'topical' problem; it's that the skin cells are depeleted.

ghoghunter -- I hear you, and if this fails, I know there are 'substitutes'.

Kathy you are most welcome and you are so right Knowledge is power! and being pro-active in our own health care is essential these days.

Something that I have found recently that has helped me is a silver based ointment which is only available at CVS currently. This is it:
"anti-microbial silver gel"

I use a mix of that and this daily
CVS Bacitracin Ointment

Chisue, there's a website called Hyster Sisters where you may find more helpful information. I usually visit the Home Dec forum, but happened across your post today.

I had a hysterectomy, followed by a bi-lateral oopherectomy, some years ago. I also had a history of cysts and endometriosis. I used HRT for several years until I allowed myself to be scared about possible side effects. For the first 12 - 18 months after stopping HRT, everything was okay. Then minor problems developed, which I managed with many of the suggestions made above.

About five months ago, the pain became unbearable and I started spotting. It took over a month to get a dr. appt. w/ a specialist at a large teaching hospital, and during the wait I was pretty much housebound. I've had too much experience with pain, but this was more intense than nearly anything I'd felt before.

The dr. started me on premarin cream, which includes estradiol in addition to (IIRC) two other forms of estrogen. He should have started me on a higher dose, and eventually did increase it. It took about three months to get significant relief; that's how bad the atrophy was. The skin was more fragile than a wet tissue.

One downside of a topical estrogen cream is that your dh should avoid direct contact with it. I also found it somewhat messy, and it was annoying to have to clean the applicator at night when I was half asleep. Recently, I saw our family doctor and obtained a Rx for an HRT patch. For now, I have to supplement it a little, but in time the patch alone (@ its max dosage) should be sufficient.

I've read that it's possible there's a link between HRT and elevated triglycerides (mine are inexplicably high this year) but I will not give up the HRT. Instead, I've modified my diet and am taking fish oil. Hope the next labs show a reduction. Given my medical history, chances are good that something else will get me long before any negative effects of HRT.

Some pharmaceutical companies offer coupons or discounts on their Rx meds. The makers of Premarin, for example, will cover the portion of your co-pay that exceeds $15. The makers of the Vivelle dot (patch) provide a coupon for one free month. I don't know if there's a similar offer for your Rx, but it would be worth googling for while to see.

Best wishes.

Mine is so bad I can't even have a partner. I am lucky to be able to urinate. It would be terrible for a little girl to have this disease. I don't think she could keep a husband. I don't know the name of the disease, other gyns just said dryness or atrophy.

From Medicinenet.com:

What causes vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy is the medical term that refers to the thinning of the wall of the vagina that occurs during menopause (the time when menstrual periods have ceased) in women.

Prior to menopause, the vaginal lining appears plump, bright red, and moist. As estrogen levels decline, the lining of the vagina becomes thinner, drier, light pink to bluish in color, and less elastic.

This is a normal change that is noticed by many perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Estrogen levels begin to fall as the menopause approaches. Estrogens are mainly produced by the ovaries. Estrogens control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair.

Estrogens also play a significant role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can occur earlier or later in life. The average age of menopause is 51 years old.

Every woman is different, and there is no definitive way to predict when an individual woman will enter menopause. Also, women in the menopausal transition experience symptoms with different degrees of severity.

Not all perimenopausal and postmenopausal women will have the same symptoms or have symptoms that are equally severe.

vala from what you stated in your original post you are really sounding like you are describing lichen sclerosus and the ointment you were given is what is prescribed for that disease.
Many with LS are un-able to function sexually because of the pain and irritation from the LS.
Most of the younger age females will have less severe symptoms or none once they go through puberty. But they may well develop them again after menopause.
I have found a lot of suggestions of products to try on the various lichen sclerosus forums online, some helped some did not.
the one thing I can state that flat out stopped all of my symptoms and put mine in what I would call remission was a low dose of Cipro(pills) for several weeks, it stopped it completely and even the skin was looking normal and healthy, however Cipro is a drug that can have some serious side effects. After I ended the Cipro treatment mine did come back after several weeks but it has not been as bad as it was before. I have no idea why Cipro would have that kind of effect but it was almost like a miracle.

If I were younger I might worry about the use of Clobetasol, but I am 73 and I was in very bad shape. Just squatting to pick up something off the floor would tear my skin. My urethra is grown over and surgery does not work according to my gyn. She said everything has been tried to correct the situation but all you can do is treat the symptoms. I am very thankful for Clobetasol, don't know what I would do without it. I would probably have to have surgery every 8 months or so to urinate. The symptoms of using this med are not near as bad as the symptoms of Cholesterol meds and millions take those.

I Agree when it is the only thing they are prescribing for it and one of the only things that gives a little relief it is worth it.
You might try picking up at CVS the 2 ointments I mentioned in my earlier post and try using those daily, I am able to use less of the Clobetasol that way.
I would try to find an OB-Gyn that specializes in Vulvar and Vaginal Disease, surgery can repair the grown over damage and in some cases is a must to continue functioning, as in the urethra case. You may want to consult your doc about trying a low dose of Cipro but be aware of the possible side effects so you know what to watch for.

I just wanted to add...maybe the reason some have a problem with Clobetasol is because they use to much. I ask my gyn and she said a lump the size of a small pea. That is not very much for the area it covers. I use it 2 times a week if that. The lotion I use on my head has not been a problem either, the dermatologist sees me once a year. I use it Mon, Wed and Fri. I find it works much better on a reg schedule rather than as needed. I have a problem with most drugs prescribed for me, I am happy to find steroids don't bother me, at least this type doesn't.

Raven, we must have posted about the same time. So far the meds working fine for me. The only problem I will have is if I get sick and need a catheter. LOL

My Gyn said the surgery won't last.

chisue...the thinning of the vaginal walls was also why I was put on that years ago......sounds like the same script as mine was...couple of weeks,then a maintenance dose for a bit..then off of it....I was only 28 or so at the time..this went on until I was in my mid 30's(hyst @ 22)

Isn't this just a Gold Mine of information! Thank you all.

ont_gal -- Are you saying you reached a point where you no longer needed the medication? (Got 'plumped up' and stayed that way?) That would be encouraging, although at nearly 70 with DH three years older, I guess I may only have about another 20 years to go. LOL By 90 logistics (my arthritis) may be the larger problem!

Yes chisue,that is exactly what I am saying...however,keep in mind,I was in my 30's..not sure if that would make that much of a difference,but I had PMS and menopause on my side..hard to believe,but I went thru the both of them at the same time--for years..and the thinning vaginal walls was a real problem..the really good thing about that time was that the Old Lad(ex husband now) worked away for months at a time

my gyno put me on that stuff..it worked..and I never had or have had any cancer scares or issues regarding the hormonal treatments I have had to have..good luck!

ont_gal -- Thanks for answering. I can HOPE! LOL

Be careful if you try Vagisil. I once brushed my teeth with it. Numbs the tongue real well.

yes you can chisue,and you're very welcome..good luck!

coral.....you brushed your teeth with it? LMAO!!!!

Gah! Another reason to use Mentadent -- not in a tube!

Coral, you made me LOL!

Boy, am I learning a lot from this thread. Thankfully I've never had the problems mentioned here. Didn't even know a woman could get them but I'm aware now and will be better off for it one day I figure. I've been on Premarin since I was 40 years old, now 64, so I guess I need to give the credit to the HRT. I'm on the lowest dose available and so far so good. I'm sorry for those of you suffering with this condition and hope you all find the relief you deserve.