I wondered about the caffeine. I, too, am developing frequent UTI's in the last 2 months. I've had three and I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to talk about it. These UTI's correspond perfectly with a sudden onset of menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness, insomnia and nightsweats, hot flashes, dry eyes, mood changes, achey joints, etc. I just got done with a 14 day course of Cipro and then it's back again after 1 week. I, also, follow the "rules" wipe front to back, wear cotton crotch panties, drink lots of water, urinate after intercourse, but I still am getting them. I can say for sure that the vaginal dryness with intercourse certainly is a major cause. I'm beginning to feel like pretty soon I won't be able to have intercourse unless I can get this cleared up. That will make both of us very unhappy. Anyway, I'll see the doctor tomorrow and see what she says. Ruby

Hi Maggiecttr, I use Estrace Vaginal Cream for Vaginal Atrophy. Symptoms are dryness, burning and itching on outside and painful intercourse. My life was miserable before starting this medication. The Vagifem worked but not as well as Estrace. I use about 1gm everyother day inserted into the vagina. I was told that by inserting medication into the vagina, it doesn't cross the blood stream like HRT oral pills do. It is a lot less harmful than HRT but yes it is still estrogen.

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.

For others reading this board/faced with Vaginal Atrophy: At least for me, nothing moves quickly, in regard to healing Vaginal Atrophy. I most likely would be able to engage in intimacy, if the opportunity struck. However since trying a dilator (which confirmed narrowing and dryness), I am now aware of this sneaky little challenge of VA. I am using a vaginal moisturizer, which (like many) has claims to reverse VA. If that, the dilator (and to be added in a couple of weeks bio-identical progesterone) fall through, then I shall test for my estrogen levels. According to Dr. Lee, Atrophy is a sign of estrogen deficiency (By the way estrogen of any type, should never be taken without progesterone), and I may indeed have to do a minimal dose 2x week of estriol, once those tests come back. While I am not eager to go on any estrogen, not even this safer, weaker estriol, I am not going to be in pain due to irritation that dryness was presenting. I've also heard of the Vulva shrinking over time due to VA. There is a point where a fraction of the estriol, may at least maintain what I have, while being comfortable and infection free down there. I have not had the pleasure of an infection yet, but the dryness had been presenting irritation, the type of itch and pain that you feel before a Vaginal Bacterial infection. Is that how I want to live my years? I should think not! So I have reordered a book I believed I didn't need anymore... Dr. John Lee's. For the next few weeks, I will use the special Vaginal inserts which are by NeuEve, and they are indeed having a moisturizing effect which lasts for a good 4 days. Let's see what happens. I already shared that information on the NeuEve with a friend, and she and her hubby had painless intimacy... Lucky she has a husband who is interested! For all you VERY lucky ladies that have an interested partner, that may be something to try. Here's my thinking. I want to maintain my health. I may indeed find intimacy again, and in the meantime I deserve to be pain free and comfortable. The above is just my way of sharing, and not just taking from this message board, for we are truly all in this (life) together and should share.