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vaginal dryness menopause
I am 53 and have had vaginal dryness and stinging due to menopause. My OBGYN started me on vaginal estrogen 3x a week a few months ago. Prior to that I was getting constant urinary tract infections and vaginal discomfort and burning. This seemed to help for a while, but I am currently back to feeling the discomfort again and intercourse is painful. I am interested in starting a discussion with anyone who has experienced this and if they have done anything that has helped them.
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Have you had a hysterectomy?
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1 ReactionYou haven't mentioned if you have had a hysterectomy at all. I went through a lot of discomfort and pain when my uterus and cervix collasped which led to a hysterectomy im my early 30's. I am 52 now and just starting to get Major Signs of menopause, none of which are nice but dryness and total lack of interest are right there on top. Can you add any more info to your post so that we may be able to help you a bit better. Cheers - Judiff
Hi Kim...I'm new to this site and your symptoms sound familiar to what I dealt with for many years. Now, thankfully, no longer deal with this. I was diagnosed with vulvadynia several years ago. Check it out online and see if this sounds like you. An answer to my problem was Lexapro and some creme (prescribed from gynecologist). The relief I got was a miracle and I got my life back!!! Hope this helps.
yes when i was 36
I read Kim's post - I'm going through the same symptoms - no BC or UTI's but had hysterectomy few years ago. Dryness is causing real problems in the bedroom. Dr. gave me a prescription for Estring - I was so excited about getting relief from this problem until I read the pamphlet that came with the ring - I am scared to use this - any info from others using it? other doctorstor nurse's thoughts on this med?
Hello, I'm new to this site, and I'm really struggling. I have so many depressed thoughts, I cry constantly, I feel sad for no reason at all. I have a great job, wonderful husband, my kids are doing well. Everything seems great, but I am constantly feeling doomed, wondering when am I going to die, how it will be. I hate it, I can't stop thinking about it. I was put on a low dosage of Zoloft but I stopped taking it when I started to feel better. Will I have to take this for the rest of my life? I also have a lack of sex drive, and serious vaginal dryness, with horrible hot flashes. Someone please tell me I'm not going crazy!!!!!!
I take a hormone replacement and saw a huge change in my thoughts and anxiety. The hot flashes were very impressive!! You are not alone! There is support for you and it will get better. Thinking of you!
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1 ReactionI see your post is dated back to 2011. I just read it. Do you have the same issues or have you resolved them? I, too, have this problem. I was started on macrobid, an antibiotic (1 pill) before intercourse or right after to prevent bladder infections that occur because of intercourse. Before menopause, I never had bladder infections nor pain during intercourse.
Hi, @kathleentischer - I see you've joined Mayo Clinic Connect recently, so welcome. I can imagine it must be challenging to experience bladder infections and pain during intercourse that you never had prior to menopause.
I'm hoping that @mainelady @judiff @ditim will return to talk about the symptoms they discussed along these lines. I'd also like to invite @countrygirl2 @momij @bordercolliecra @redi4change @jenniferhunter into this conversation, as they may have some input.
Also, here is some Mayo Clinic information that may be helpful:
- on painful intercourse: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/painful-intercourse/symptoms-causes/syc-20375967
- on bladder infections: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystitis/expert-answers/bladder-infection/faq-20057833
Is the nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) working for you to prevent the bladder infections, @kathleentischer? How are you addressing the pain during intercourse?
@kathleentischer Hi Kathleen. The changes of menopause affect the strength of the pelvic floor muscle which is holding everything up and causes dryness. Bio identical hormone replacement helps both. I take that and the estrogen must be balanced with progesterone to lower the risk of related cancers. My doctor also tests for the breakdown products of female hormones which are actually the trouble makers if the body doesn't break it down properly. He has me take a supplement called Methyl CPG from Ortho Molecular Products to assist in methylation which is the process where the body breaks that down and detoxes and excretes it. They try to adjust the dose as low as possible as long as you don't have symptoms. I see a functional medicine doctor for this. He sends the prescriptions to a mail order compounding pharmacy. This is my pharmacy http://rvcrx.com/, and I'm sure there are many others. You can always call one and ask for doctors they know in your area who are doing this. My doctor says that hormone replacement reduces the risk of some cancers like colon cancer. He says it should not increase hormone related cancer because that is address with the methylation supplement.