Dryness and Irritation? - Menopause Message Board

cathydownunder · 01-08-2007, 11:41 PM

Last April I had an Endometrial Ablation (age 45) and I've been lucky to have no periods since. The not so new problem is my hormones are all out of whack, I think I've been in Perimenopause about 5 years now.
My doc has just started me on Progesterone cream as it was low, but I haven't noticed any difference in myself yet ( 2 months ).Estrogen was OK.
The biggest problem is how dry I am and constantly irritated. I recently had swabs done and it was all clear, so there's no sign of any infection/yeast.
I've been using Replens gel for a few weeks but am not finding it particularly helpful. I was prescribed a low dose Cortisone cream to use daily, indefinitely, but am not real happy with that idea either.
Anybody with the same problem or a solution?
This has been going on for months now and I'm getting fed up.

Wizard · 01-09-2007, 12:40 AM

Hi:

Have you tried an estrogen cream? I use it and it works great to bring back the elasticity and moisture to the vaginal area. I would be leary about using the cortisone cream for any length of time since it contains minor steroids which could cause thinning of the skin in that area.

skippitydoodah · 01-09-2007, 04:38 PM

Hi, Wizard, I am new here and in Menopause, age 53, and have so much trouble with the vaginal dryness you all are discussing. My Dr. recently put me on the estrace cream and I was wondering just how long before you start to notice a difference? Intercourse is so very painful, that I avoid it like the plaque, which isn't fair to DH. Also, how much were you advised to use? My Dr. put me on it everyday, that seems kind of a lot to me? Just curious to compare notes with others in this same situation! If I could find a remedy for this, I sure would be in pretty good shape meno wise (knock on wood)! ha

Thank you!

Wizard · 01-10-2007, 09:51 AM

Hi:

I used it twice a day to begin with but only a pea sized amount each day. I stayed on that amount for about 3 weeks and then went to once a day. After about 1.5 months, I tapered down to every other day and then went to using it about about 3 times a week in the evenings before bed.

I really started to notice a difference after the first month. The skin in that area became plumper, had a lot more elasticity and I no longer got the redness and irritation I used to get.

I know some women who also use a testosterone cream in that area to build up the toughness in the skin.

skippitydoodah · 01-10-2007, 08:41 PM

Wizard, thanks so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate it!!!