vaginal dryness treatment

marybelle_2009

13 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.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

hun49
13 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
13 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
Related Discussions
vaginal and clitoris dryness
Q
Comments (12)
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
...See More
vaginal atrophy!
Q
Comments (60)
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.
...See More
Vaginal Ring
Q
Comments (7)
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.
...See More
Puppy Vaginitis: Spaying vs. Heat Cycle
Q
Comments (8)
I am old enough to remember that the "common theory" about 35 years ago, was to have the dog spayed at around 8-9 months, preferably before first heat. This for health reasons already stated. This theory has changed (for reasons good and bad, mostly bad as far as I'm concerned) to having the dog spayed at around 3-4 months. Vets have different opinions on all types of animal health issues. I have learned the hard way, to research everything and ask questions about medication. I specifically ask for a time limit on when I will start to see positive results. I make sort of a check list, and then compare that to what vet recommends. If research goes against what the vet wants to do, I ask her why she wants to do it. I think the subject in general is very complicated. After tons of research, I was really disturbed and worried about reconstructive surgery my vet recommended for one of my dogs that has a history of UTI and an inverted vulva. After I made this statement to her, I told her that I would never put my dog through the process. Mainly because there was no guarantee that the surgery would fix the problem. Further research and consulting with two other vets, put me on a path to where she has been fine for the past 7 months. BTW make sure one of the cleaningÂs you do is just before bed time. This is when the bacteria is most active, when the dog is asleep for the night. Good luck! SG
...See More
marybelle_2009
Original Author
13 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
13 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

Comments (4)

hun49

lane55

Related Discussions

marybelle_2009
Original Author

hun49

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

vaginal dryness treatment

Comments (4)

hun49

lane55

Related Discussions

marybelle_2009Original Author

hun49

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

marybelle_2009
Original Author