Greetings everyone.
I've been reading all the postings and thank you all for discussing this very difficult, sensitive topic. I had an early menopause at 43 and have been on estradiol vaginal cream ever since but I still had painful intercourse from time to time. I experimented with moisturizer/lubricants (because my doctors were useless) and started applying Vitamin E before intercourse. Then when I felt that was no longer enough, I started using Vitamin E suppositories before intercourse, which helped. Last fall I noticed increased pain and observed a crack/fissure in the perineum which healed but have had recurring fissures in between labia occurring after intercourse and sometimes for no reason at all. My female GYN (my age) recommended Hyalo-Gyn, which I tried but burned terribly. I called the company and got my money back. They said they were using a different preservative. My GYN has nothing else to say. I'm so disappointed, I thought she would have more/better recommendations.
Last night I tried my first application of VMagic - an all-natural vulvar balm. The good news is, it didn't burn and seems to have already helped alleviate the chronic, daily unrelenting itching I experience. I also ordered and am going to add Meno Moist suppositories, another all-natural product to see if I can stop estradiol cream completely since I don't think it's working and I think it's time to stop with the hormones already.
I'll post again when I know more about how this regimen is working.