Vagifem is suppose to show results in 2-7 weeks. If there is no improvement after two months, I would talk to another doctor. There are other brands of estrogen to try. Sometimes an oral dose is more effective for this type of problem, than a topical application, but there are more risks associated with it. Your doctor is probably being cautious in his prescribing and if Vagifem is not working for you, he can give you something else to try.

I'm glad to see you decided to get rid of Dr. UseitorLoseit for you care. How unprofessional.

I do hope that your doctor informed you of the side effects of this medication. If not, Google it and see if you want to take the risks.

I would also have an open talk with my spouse about this problem since it affects both of your well being.

I hope for the best for you.

Go into http://www.menopausematters.co.uk:80/ and read what the Doctors have to say about Vaginal Dryness. It may relieve your worries about the HRT risk.

Cindy

I know it's alot of pills , but I feel so much better in general. I just had fasting Labwork done, and my Cholesterol levels were excellent as well as my Thyroid and Blood Sugar, so all of these supplements are helping in everyway.

Good Luck and hope you all find some relief!!!

Two years ago, she noticed a lump in her abdomen and had the good sense to go to her doctor right away. A Sonogram showed a 12 cm tumor. She decided to have a complete hysterectomy and it was discovered she had stage 1C Ovarian Cancer, which meant we found it just in time. She still went through 18 weeks of chemotherapy. I am most happy to report that her tests have shown absolutely no presence of cancer and we are SO grateful!

Now, the downside to this is her body no longer produces any Estrogen at all and doctors have prohibited her from using or taking any Estrogen for fear of bringing the cancer back. As a result, she has no libido and her Vaginal Atrophy is truly severe. When I try to put some Replens into her using a glove it is very painful and I can only put one finger in and move it only a little bit. It does not look promising at all and we have come to the conclusion that even if she went through a great deal of pain to stretch her big enough for intercourse, it will still be a very painful experience to her.

We have talked this over and have adapted our lives to having a life without intercourse. It takes LOT of communication! The most important hurdles are mental (expectations), not physical. If you would like, I will talk more about what we have done. At this point I just wanted to tell everyone that Vaginal Atrophy is for real and in extreme cases this is what can happen. There is nothing we could to have prevented it and again, we are both joyful she has survived her cancer and that is the most important thing.

I am much the same but was told it was " Lack of use " use it or lose it is what I was told .. I did get Vagifem to help the stinging but I know that penetration is no longer possible I struggle with the vagifem fial and its only narrow
My Problem apparently stemmed from not having s*x at all
My husband has not been interested for years in any sexual contact so I am now left in this position , willing to try to see if I can accept the penetration but he's not willing to try .
neither do I get offered oral ..so I'm pretty much going to remain this tight and sore - so many changes during the menopause ..but in my own case I think it was as Doc said use or lose
I do hpe your own situation will improve , it could .
Yes Atrophy is very real and all with different reasons thanks for sharing ..I'm glad you have found a way to improvise - it is good to talk & share

I do the DHEA thing in the morning, but use Carlsons by itself most nights. You can cut one Carlsons into 2-3 doses. I'd start with using at least half, until the tenderness fades.

Carlsons is very oily, so wear a pad if you need to be discreet. Use Dawn dishwashing liquid to get the oil stains out of cloth.
Took about 4 days for the burning sensation to completely subside with Carlsons.

For those without a partner, or even those with, I read that inserting "anything" in the vajayjay can help ward of atrophy...so use your finger or get a toy.

When I first started the Carlson's, it took about 4 days before using a pinky-finger sized toy was not extremely painful. Now the pinky-size goes in painlessly as long as I remember to use Carlsons regularly.

I've had two very successful and painless encounters with my partner. YAY!

I've not noticed any bad effects. I have an annual with my gyny in June and will discuss these things with her, but I am staying the course for now.

KEY-E Carlson Suppositories with Natural Vitamin E.

I get them via Amazon.

Doctors all say it's atrophy, even 2 urologists. In October I went to a urologist because I had blood in my urine. I explained that he would not be able to do the scope without cutting me. I could tell he didn't know believe me. He told me he would have to do a pelvic for proof for the insurance company to put me out for the scope. When he did the pelvic, he said "I see what you mean". He had never heard of it before. He had to tear the skin just to do the pelvic. I am lucky to be able to urinate, it's all grown over.

However, for those who are experiencing more typical atrophy, or acute dryness...try the Carlson's. It's a small monetary investment and yields good results for lots of people.

this Dr., female, was the one who has been trying the various medications i mentioned in may last entry.
My GP and gynecologist didn't have this unfo.

I dont want to give up on finding someone, but dont want to be surprised with this horrible pain you ladies have shared. I have a nine yr old daughter, when she gets older I will encourage her to avoid this situation if she can afford it. Hopefully woman can have elective surgery, remove an ovary, after having children, and replant in peri or meno. I know it is now offered to some cancer pts. pre-chemo. Meno was a major shock to all my systems!!