I think I was hypothyroid for many years from puberty all the way up to my 40's. I was finally diagnosed with PCOS but not until 2 years after my son was born. I only have one child because I also had several miscarriages. I was fat and I beleive I was Hypothyroid and depressed for much of my teenage years and through most my 20s and 30s. Until I met my husband. When I was 44 I started losing weight inexplicably. A year later I went into a thyro-toxi-cosis storm and was finally diagnosed with Hyper active thyroid - or Graves disease. Over the last 2 years yes my TSH, my FT3 and FT4 have been tested every 3 months. I have been taking the tapazole for the same 2 years. MY TSH was suppsoed for most of those 2 years and really only came back to in December last year. No as far as I can remember, I have never had any estrogen or adrenal testing done at all. AS I mentioned, I am now doing premarin cream 3 x a week to stop my vagina itching and burning, and so far it's working nicely. I'll try the Mediboard too thanks.

Hi, I'm looking for relief from vaginal dryness and irritation. I use Premarin cream a couple of times a week as my Dr. suggested, but still have a lot of discomfort, so am trying Vitamin E suppositories also. Would like to hear from anyone who uses them and how they work for them. Any other suggestions would be appreciated also. I'm now 70 and had this wild immpression that once you got through menapause things would be wonderful again, boy, what a surprise I got! Thanks!

I'm sorry you were feeling down. I don't know about the Premarin cream--never used it--but I swear--the estriol cream does brighten my mood. I don't usually mention it--because I don't want anyone to tell me it is my imagination--but there's no doubt it corrects the dryness. (Just getting rid of the dryness is enough to lift my mood!) Oh, and by the way--you are not the only one with the dryness problem. It's just such a personal problem--some people find it hard to discuss. Many people aren't even aware that it is a problem--like I was. It took several UTIs for me to finally find out on the internet what was wrong. I was doing everything they say to avoid another UTI--yet they seemed to be happening more and more frequently. The estriol cream put an end to the UTIs. No doctor (and I saw several) told me about estriol cream--I had to find it out for myself on the internet and ask for the cream. For other women who don't yet sense the dryness it can be recurrent yeast infections that cause them to seek help. From what I have read--the lower estrogen levels in our systems can cause the pH to change in our bodies-especially in our urinary tracts and vaginas. (both are made up of similiar tissues). The different pH creates an environment where things like yeast and bacteria can flourish. We always have those things present--but the different pH allows them to grow to the point where they can cause an infection. (Sorry if that's more than you wanted to know :) I have read that this (menopause and it's symptoms) will pass. Even if it doesn't--at least now I know the solution to the problem. Also--it might help you to know that estriol cream is bio-identical and very weak. It's even thought by some to have some protective properties. I've even read that in Europe there are some age-defying skin creams that contain estriol. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better soon (physically and emotionally). I know how bad it can be when you think you're the only one--believe me--you're not. Dryness is a common problem--check out the net for other meno message boards and you will see. Bullsigh--55

wow, this is unbelievable! I was looking for help finding some form of natural or herbal HRT. I am 54, done with all the horrible symptoms that come with the end of periods. I have Crohn's disease and had surgery to remove the last of my colon last September. Since my surgery I dehydrate very easily, my skin is very dry and I drink mostly water and lots of it. I thought all of this was the cause of the dryness problem with my vaginal area internally and externally. I am married and sex has become so painful and sometimes not even possible. My GYN put me on Premarin creme and I do not always remember to use it right before bed, every other night. I know you would think I would remember THAT right? The problem is 1st I am kinda scared of the whole "hormone treatment" thing because of cancer. My immune system is practically non-exsistent. 2ndly my Crohn's keeps me busy with medicating myself to prevent constant diarrhea, bloating, etc. The wrong combination of prevention meds or the wrong diet choice and I am constipated and bloated or having to run to the bathroom constently. Talk about having too much on your plate...the LAST thing I want or need is for my sex life to be screwed up! My poor Husband has enought to deal with just being married to me all these years. He is Amazing, always supportive, loving, understanding and eqivalent to a private nurse when I am "sick" AGAIN. He deserves some serious consideration, lol. Anyway, I get in this site and see the "vaginal Atrophy" comment and think...could it be? I find out it is NOT just me or my dehydration issues, I am having the same problems you are all. The Premarin creme has softened things up some and sex is sometimes possible but I am going to call my GYN tomorrow and ask about the ESTRING. I have been using moisterizing lotions and cremes on the external vaginal area just to relieve the dry, itchy, painful skin so I can walk and not cry all the time from the misery of it. Seriously. Thank God I stumbled in here, Thank you all for opening up and discussing this issue so I could find out not only What is wrong but maybe What to do about it! And Thank God for the good things the internet makes possible.