1. < Women's Health
Profile picture for HomeAgainLA

Ladies: How are you managing vaginal atrophy as you age?

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Profile picture for water2loo6
water2loo6 | @water2loo6 | Oct 30, 2024
In reply to @robdene "I had been using that for about 10 years when my GP sent word to me..." + (show)
Profile picture for robdene @robdene

I had been using that for about 10 years when my GP sent word to me that it had been discontinued. “They aren’t making it anymore!” Have you gotten that information?

Jump to this post

I did not know this however I’m still able to get it from a British mail order pharmacy. I’ll look this.

REPLY
Profile picture for frouke
frouke | @frouke | Oct 31, 2024
In reply to @elisabeth007 "A female urologist (specialized in female clientele) suggested using coconut oil. i was surprised. My gyn..." + (show)
Profile picture for elisabeth007 @elisabeth007

A female urologist (specialized in female clientele) suggested using coconut oil. i was surprised. My gyn then suggested using a high end non-hormonal vaginal suppository. he gave me a sample of it—-it was very good but very expensive to purchase

Jump to this post

Was the vaginal suppository called Repa Gyn, I asked because I also was recommended this, it didn’t require a prescription. I tried it a few times but found it to be very minimal in relieving dryness, however it did create a little sensation but that was pretty much all it did.

REPLY
Profile picture for water2loo6
water2loo6 | @water2loo6 | Oct 31, 2024
In reply to @robdene "I had been using that for about 10 years when my GP sent word to me..." + (show)
Profile picture for robdene @robdene

I had been using that for about 10 years when my GP sent word to me that it had been discontinued. “They aren’t making it anymore!” Have you gotten that information?

Jump to this post

Estring is not discontinued, but it experienced supply issues:
December 2023: Estring was out of stock until February 2024, with intermittent availability expected until November 2024.
May 2024: Pfizer reported that Estring was on shortage due to manufacturing delays.
You might want to reach out to your doctor. Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for robdene
robdene | @robdene | Oct 31, 2024
In reply to @water2loo6 "Estring is not discontinued, but it experienced supply issues: December 2023: Estring was out of stock..." + (show)
Profile picture for water2loo6 @water2loo6

Estring is not discontinued, but it experienced supply issues:
December 2023: Estring was out of stock until February 2024, with intermittent availability expected until November 2024.
May 2024: Pfizer reported that Estring was on shortage due to manufacturing delays.
You might want to reach out to your doctor. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much! I will! You’ve been such a great help! Thanks again!

REPLY
Profile picture for doclue1
doclue1 | @doclue1 | Mar 9 10:36am

I went to my GYN because I had dyspareunia and was prescribed topical low-dose estrogen. It takes at least 30 days to appreciate the effect, but sexual relations with your husband will become near-normal again. You still have to use a lot of lubricant, but there is hope.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for joanland
joanland | @joanland | Mar 10 8:58pm
In reply to @doclue1 "I went to my GYN because I had dyspareunia and was prescribed topical low-dose estrogen. It..." + (show)
Profile picture for doclue1 @doclue1

I went to my GYN because I had dyspareunia and was prescribed topical low-dose estrogen. It takes at least 30 days to appreciate the effect, but sexual relations with your husband will become near-normal again. You still have to use a lot of lubricant, but there is hope.

Jump to this post

And any tendancy toward UTIs will be greatly decreased. Keep up using it!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for lynnc75
lynnc75 | @lynnc75 | Mar 11 8:13pm
In reply to @joanland "And any tendancy toward UTIs will be greatly decreased. Keep up using it!" + (show)
Profile picture for joanland @joanland

And any tendancy toward UTIs will be greatly decreased. Keep up using it!

Jump to this post

That is absolutely right..... helped my mother to avoid UTI's after experiencing them on a regular basis! Thank goodness!

REPLY
Profile picture for HomeAgainLA
HomeAgainLA | @llynch17056 | Apr 4 7:01pm
In reply to @brandysparks "@llynch17056 - Wonderful! Best wishes...began wondering whether coconut oil would be recommended by my Gynec Oncologist..." + (show)
Profile picture for brandysparks @brandysparks

@llynch17056 - Wonderful!

Best wishes...began wondering whether coconut oil would be recommended by my Gynec Oncologist now!

Thanks!

Jump to this post

Mine recommended it to me. I hope yours will.

REPLY
Profile picture for willow5
willow5 | @willow5 | Apr 5 10:00am
In reply to @celia16 "It’s a personal decision for sure. I was just saying that it was my understanding that..." + (show)
Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

It’s a personal decision for sure. I was just saying that it was my understanding that the estrogen isn’t just for dryness, but also promotes bladder health that an oil wouldn’t provide. My mom has such terrible pelvic/bladder health….omg. It’s horrific. And, my two best friends have huge frequency issues. It seems I’m surrounded by many women who suffer with these issues after menopause. I am so fortunate. I have no idea why. I took oral contraceptives for many years. Does that impact it?

I hope I started the local estrogen in time to preserve my pelvic health.

Jump to this post

Definitely for bladder health, also. The estrace is not absorbed the same way other hormones are, so I’m told by my gynecologist. The gynourologist I see did a botox (medical grade not cosmetic) injections (lots of numbing, no pain) into my bladder. Wow! Helped the urgency 100%. It can last 3 to 6 months, paid for by Medicare and my supplement.

REPLY
3 replies
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.