1. < Aging Well

Vaginal atrophy

Posted by HomeAgainLA @llynch17056, Sep 21, 2023

TO THE LADIES ONLY: As I got older I started developing vaginal atrophy. Then I started developing open splits on my labia that were extremely painful. I went to urgent care one weekend and was prescribed vaginal estrogen medicine. It did the trick but I didn’t want to use estrogen. I went to a GYN that recommending organic coconut oil to use externally only. This was a few years ago and it has worked perfectly. I have never had another problem. At all. I wanted to pass along a natural inexpensive solution to vaginal atrophy.

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loisf | @loisf | Apr 11 11:31pm
In reply to @celia16 "It’s just that, according to my understanding, I don’t think it’s just a matter of moisture...." + (show)
@celia16

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.

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I have been using an estradol insert called Invexxy for vaginal atrophy which caused an unpleasant discharge. It is 10mg 2x week. I have not had any problems since using this product.

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susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Apr 12 6:24am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi I am glad I found this post. So I just finished dcis breast cancer surgery..." + (show)
@sue417

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 😠

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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.

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2 replies
sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 12 7:26am
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "sue417, I use estrogen cream and alternate it with coconut oil. I also had pelvic floor..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

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.

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

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1 reply
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Apr 12 7:39am

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.

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1 reply
susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Apr 12 8:31am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi Have you had breast cancer? Are you saying you insert coconut oil?" + (show)
@sue417

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

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sue417,
I have not had breast cancer. I just apply the coconut oil to outside.

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 12 8:45am
In reply to @llynch17056 "I have not had breast cancer. The potential side effects for estrogen use includes breast cancer...." + (show)
@llynch17056

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.

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@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.

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1 reply
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Apr 12 8:51am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@llynch17056 My doctor and nurses told me that after menopause it's important to keep the vagina..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@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.

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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.

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1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 12 9:23am
In reply to @llynch17056 "I agree. That’s why my GYN suggested coconut oil for MY vaginal atrophy and pain. It..." + (show)
@llynch17056

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.

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

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1 reply
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Apr 12 9:29am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi Sorry when you say on the outside you just wipe it on all of the..." + (show)
@sue417

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

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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.

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1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 12 9:55am
In reply to @llynch17056 "I just use it on the outside, all over the outside, particularly the labia because it..." + (show)
@llynch17056

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.

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Hi
Ok thanks for the info appreciated

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