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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joanland | @joanland | Oct 27 5:39pm
In reply to @joanland "Greetings, ladies: There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of..." + (show)
@joanland

Greetings, ladies:
There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of estrogen we have after menopause can cause several difficulties, both vaginal dryness and loss of muscle strength and flexibility. The estrogen in the cream improves the muscle strength and flexibility, which in turn can yield greater urinary control. I don't think an oil or a cream which does not contain estrogen can treat the urinary symptoms. An estrogen containing cream contains a very low concentration of estrogen.

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Forgot to say the estrogen-containing vaginal cream is applied using a very small amount 2 to 3 times/week.

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HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Oct 27 6:15pm
In reply to @joanland "Greetings, ladies: There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of..." + (show)
@joanland

Greetings, ladies:
There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of estrogen we have after menopause can cause several difficulties, both vaginal dryness and loss of muscle strength and flexibility. The estrogen in the cream improves the muscle strength and flexibility, which in turn can yield greater urinary control. I don't think an oil or a cream which does not contain estrogen can treat the urinary symptoms. An estrogen containing cream contains a very low concentration of estrogen.

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We are all different about what we want for our bodies. I choose not to use an estrogen cream, for now. For now, coconut oil takes care of the only symptoms that were a problem. If I wanted to be sexually active I would probably want to use an estrogen cream or if I had urinary tract issues. But, I don’t. Also, my doctor put the fear in me about estrogen. I’ve been off for decades. I understand that estrogen is not as bad as they said. It seems prescriptions are good, then they are bad, then they are good. Coconut oil is always good through the centuries.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Oct 27 11:38pm
In reply to @bonniethompson1234 "Is organic coconut oil found in health stores only?" + (show)
@bonniethompson1234

Is organic coconut oil found in health stores only?

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Walmart has it.

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HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Oct 28 6:41am
In reply to @irinig "Great suggestion, thank you for that…what about sex, are you able to have sex with the..." + (show)
@irinig

Great suggestion, thank you for that…what about sex, are you able to have sex with the coconut oil?

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Someone on here suggested that you not use coconut oil IN the vagina. I haven’t used it that way

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1 reply
imallears | @imallears | Oct 28 7:25am
In reply to @joanland "Greetings, ladies: There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of..." + (show)
@joanland

Greetings, ladies:
There is a reason to use an estrogen-containing vaginal creme. The decreased level of estrogen we have after menopause can cause several difficulties, both vaginal dryness and loss of muscle strength and flexibility. The estrogen in the cream improves the muscle strength and flexibility, which in turn can yield greater urinary control. I don't think an oil or a cream which does not contain estrogen can treat the urinary symptoms. An estrogen containing cream contains a very low concentration of estrogen.

Jump to this post

@joanland

I agree with you and also want to add that using this low dose of estrogen is effective in preventing UTIs. I have been using the low dose vaginal cream for 6 years now..applying twice a week after removing a pessary that I have used for four years. I use a compounding pharmacy close by for the estrogen because it is cheaper. I am 83, no UTIs, no problems generally so will continue with this routine on the advice of my OBY/GYN nurse practitioner.

FL Mary

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1 reply
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Oct 28 7:52am
In reply to @imallears "@joanland I agree with you and also want to add that using this low dose of..." + (show)
@imallears

@joanland

I agree with you and also want to add that using this low dose of estrogen is effective in preventing UTIs. I have been using the low dose vaginal cream for 6 years now..applying twice a week after removing a pessary that I have used for four years. I use a compounding pharmacy close by for the estrogen because it is cheaper. I am 83, no UTIs, no problems generally so will continue with this routine on the advice of my OBY/GYN nurse practitioner.

FL Mary

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If you had UTIs and now don’t, that’s fantastic. I don’t have UTIs. I have been a BIG water drinker since the 1980s. I have it with me everywhere I go. Ever since then I haven’t had a UTI.

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1 reply
water2loo6 | @water2loo6 | Oct 28 8:46am

I have been using a vaginal estradiol vaginal ring for about 10 years. It is replaced every 3 months. Easy peasy.

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1 reply
imallears | @imallears | Oct 28 10:01am
In reply to @llynch17056 "If you had UTIs and now don’t, that’s fantastic. I don’t have UTIs. I have been..." + (show)
@llynch17056

If you had UTIs and now don’t, that’s fantastic. I don’t have UTIs. I have been a BIG water drinker since the 1980s. I have it with me everywhere I go. Ever since then I haven’t had a UTI.

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@llynch17056

WATER! I have to tell ya…here in Florida water or green tea goes with me out the door. I remember only one UTI but I know you can get them and not realize it if the symptoms are not too bad. I also chug down a glass of water mixed with salt and a little lemon juice in the morning before I walk….It gets the sodium levels up which are low in many women and also serves as an electrolyte for me.

Even knowing about how much we should be drinking..sometimes we have to remind ourselves. Good for you for being ahead of the times…don’t think I was so focused on drinking water back in the 80s but I am a big tea drinker in the afternoons.

Happy healthy
FL Mary

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gussie | @gussie | Oct 28 10:57am

I am 83 and thankfully in good health. I have been using estrogen cream for over forty years. Not just for vaginal reasons but if I don't use it my urethra shrinks and I have to get it stretched and that isn't pleasant.

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HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Oct 28 3:10pm

Wow. That’s a good reason to use it.

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