Vaginal atrophy

It’s just that, according to my understanding, I don’t think it’s just a matter of moisture. The hormones are what promotes integrity of the structure and underlying structures. I’m going to try to ask a doctor this specifically.

Hi
I am glad I found this post. So I just finished dcis breast cancer surgery and radiation I have been coping with bladder issues for one year my oncologist just put me on vagifem. I have a new GP which I see April 15th I'm asking for an internal because the pressure I feel inside is driving me crazy no one has done an internal on me in over 2 years .I don't know if I have vaginal dryness if my bladder is prolapsed or what's going on but I feel like I'm going crazy some days it's so uncomfortable. If you have vaginal dryness does it feel like it's burning inside because some days that's what I feel and I didn't know if I should use also a moisturizer with the vagifem. My oncologist just increased me to use it every night. Does anyone else use it every night. I was using it every 3 days. I have recently seen a urologist and had a cystoscope where everything looked normal. I do utiva cranberry supplements and d-mannose it has helped decrease the bladder infections. Just frustrated 😠

sue417,
I use estrogen cream and alternate it with coconut oil. I also had pelvic floor PT as I was diagnosed with pelvic floor prolapse. Both effective.

Hi
Have you had breast cancer? Are you saying you insert coconut oil?

I have not had breast cancer. The potential side effects for estrogen use includes breast cancer. For topical estrogen the risk is smaller than taking oral estrogen. Prior to using any medication I review the potential side effects to make a decision whether to use the medication or not. I attempt to find a natural remedy without side effects. For instance, for my extreme knee pain, turmeric has worked very well to eliminate the pain. In the case of my vaginal atrophy, coconut oil has eliminated my discomfort. (Both were suggested by my doctors.) I do take thyroid medication as I could not find a natural alternative. It is all about weighing risk for me.

I do not use the coconut oil inside my vagina as I am not sexually active and I don’t have discomfort there.

@llynch17056 My doctor and nurses told me that after menopause it's important to keep the vagina healthy regardless of sexual activity. One reason is for gynecological exams.

I agree. That’s why my GYN suggested coconut oil for MY vaginal atrophy and pain. It completely resolved it without the use of hormones. I cannot speak to anyone else, I only shared this because my GYN suggested it and it worked for me and it’s natural without any side effects.

Hi
Sorry when you say on the outside you just wipe it on all of the outside area?

I just use it on the outside, all over the outside, particularly the labia because it was the labia that was splitting and causing my pain. I don’t know why you couldn’t also use it inside, I would ask your doctor, but because the inside wasn’t hurting me, I don’t put it there and I never asked if i should.