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.

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.

Hi i girls. I'm kind of new here (I signed up a while back to talk about holly trees that were sick, lol, now I'm here to talk about menopause). Yes, the zest for life in general can sometimes feel like a complete zero for me too but I try to surround myself with positive things to combat that. My pets, good friends, my gardens, of course, and forcing myself to take more of an interest in my job. I'm a legal secretary. I think it's all a matter of mind over matter because all of the above seems to be working. I logged on because I was looking for advice/help in dealing with the physical changes. That muffin top that appeared out of nowhere to the point where none of my clothes fit anymore! It's driving me nuts. I've always enjoyed a waistline and now it doesn't exist anymore. In the past six months it's all but disappeared. I googled menopausal bloating and it appears to be a very real thing that I'm going to tackle with a vengeance. If anyone here has any hints or advice on how to deal with this I'd be grateful. I've never had a weight problem and never had to diet, which I'm very thankful for. I'm 5'3" and was always in the 112-116 area. This extra flab around my waist is really bothering me and when I learned that the body transfers fat from your hips and thighs to your waist I was shocked. I had no idea that was part of this miserable thing called "menopause". Any advice is welcome. Feel better ladies. You're not alone and I hope you all find peace in this incredibly difficult journey. Debbie