Please Help! - Menopause Message Board

ginny3851 · 01-22-2007, 11:22 AM

I'm a newcomer to this site. I'm in menopause and have been since about 52 (I'm now 55). I'm on Effexor because my nerves were just about shot and I couldn't stand anyone! Everything is mostly fine in my life, I can even tolerate my night sweats and hot flashes throughout the day, but I am getting really down regarding my sex life. My vaginal dryness is so bad that any attempt to have sex with my husband is torture. I bleed, I burn, I'm in excrutiating pain! He, of course, is very patient and never pushes me. I've tried Replens, K-Y, Vaseline, Baby Oil, Oive Oil, and now I'm taking Vagifem prescribed by my gyn. Nothing is working. I can't take hormones as I have had breast cancer. Now, I've ordered some soy drinks that are supposed to help. Please, has anyone had this same situation. I want our sex life back. I can't believe that at 55 I can never have sex with my husband again unless it is under these circumstances. Thanks for listening.

Deeraysmom · 01-22-2007, 01:28 PM

Ginny .......... They make a bio- harmone that you insert inside your vagina that helps with the dryness...... Hope this helps.... Dee

ginny3851 · 01-23-2007, 05:58 PM

Thanks Deb. I am on vagifem which is a form of hormone treatment but it's not working.

ginny3851 · 01-23-2007, 05:59 PM

Sorry, I meant Dee not Deb.

Isis498 · 01-23-2007, 07:25 PM

You poor thing, I really feel for you! The Effexor itself can be compounding the problem, I took it in the past and it made the dryness worse. Also, you may need an increase in the Vagifem. Even a bit more can make a difference. Also, every day, use Vit. E oil, that you buy at the health food store and use it as a vaginal moisturizer, just like you would on your face. It will get into the tissues there and help keep them supple and less likely to tear.

Hope this helps.