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Does the whole vulva area turn red when lacking estrogen?
Menopause | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
@kathleen1314 Thank you very much. I am four months post-total hysterectomy. For a few weeks, Imvexxy + compounded Estradiol cream were sufficient, just as it was pre-hysterectomy. Then two months ago I tried Intrarosa for five weeks. I had a honeymoon period of three weeks with it: my libido mostly returned and I wasn't dry. Then I became irritable, hungry at 2am then my labia majora and minora turned red as did the entrance to my vagina. I tried rubbing on DHEA cream externally but it irritated my skin even more. I'm pretty sure I tried Imvexxy again but I was too far gone with a glowing red crotch. Shortly thereafter, I had a minor operation requiring Fluconzaole and an antibiotic. I ended up at my gyn's office. My irritated, thin skin developed a yeast infection. I'm six days into Terconazole along with topical Clotrimazole+Betamethasone. I gave in and inserted a Vagifem this afternoon thinking I was done with Terconazole but I realized I only have one night left so I think it'll be ok. My bladder is so sore without estrogen.
After all of this is done, I'm going to try Vagifem for as long as my delicate skin could possibly gain something from it then try going back to Imvexxy and using a limited amount of Estradiol cream externally.
I was told about the Estring. Are you familiar with it?
Sorry for the long post, but the GSM has been hell.
Replies to "@kathleen1314 Thank you very much. I am four months post-total hysterectomy. For a few weeks, Imvexxy..."
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@blueskies1530
Ok, Intrarosa may be the problem. Ai google lists the inflammation and redness as a know side effect of Intrarosa. Intrarosa is a non bioidentical high powered dhea.
Ai google explanation: "Intrarosa (prasterone) can cause vaginal and vulvar irritation, which may manifest as a red, inflamed, or burning sensation in the labia majora. "
I tried Intrarosa once on my urologist's suggestion. I even cut it into thirds. My testosterone shot off the chart.
My hormone dr was not pleased; he said that intrarosa is not bioidentical, so more dangerous, and it is an extremely high dose of DHEA and that was causing my problems. Lukily I only took a full dose or less due to cutting it into pieces.
You had a much larger dose.
Rubbing more dhea probably made the situation worse; I am sorry.
I still have my uterus and ovaries and until just recently my body produced estradiol and testosterone at good levels. So I just use topically estriol, progesterone and a tiny amount of testosterone plus Estriol vaginally. I am finding that those of us with and without a uterus need different interventions. For some reason the act of surgery to take the uterus/ovaries seems to also impact any organ making enough hormones, whereas my body until recently in my early 70s was making plenty of estradiol and testosterone. That has now changed. Sigh
What I would suggest is to find a hormone specialist who uses BHRT and hormone testing to check your levels. Progesterone is needed for everyone even if they don't have a uterus or ovaries; you need it for systemic health and your breasts. Progesterone also helps with sleep and with those anxiety menopause problems.
You can find a hormone dr specialist by calling your local compounder and asking for someone who uses BHRT and hormone testing.
Or you can use the ZRT website to search for providers that use ZRT testing, some will be doctors, some will be compounders.
https://myzrt.zrtlab.com/tools/findprovider
I believe that vagifem is bioidentical, but I have never used it.
Also, copilot can look at all the research and studies and give you some good pointers; you might ask it.
One more cautionary tale, DHEA pulls some major body levers. Some women can take DHEA and pregnenolone and that is their entire HRT. I am so jealous. My body hits those levers hard and huge jumps in everything happens and anxiety goes off the wall. So be very very careful with dhea and pregnenolone.
BHRT is easier to control and maintain plus much safer if used as topical, vaginal. Oral can be dangerous because of liver first pass problems even if it is BHRT.
Lots of hard fought information; I hope some of this is helpful. Find that BHRT hormone doctor who uses hormone testing, especially saliva tests. Everything will fall into place then.
Please let me know how you do with all of this. I will be thinking and concerned about you.