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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Hello llynch,
I had exactly the same problem and was prescribed the same treatment.
Except that I also had pelvic floor physical therapy. I do use the estrogen cream twice a week and use the coconut oil the other days. It works.
I wasn’t afraid of the estrogen cream as it doesn’t have the same risks as oral estrogen.
I was glad to see your post as no one talks about this problem. They don’t tell you that menopause never ends and can create medical conditions that must be addressed.

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Thanks for your recommendation.

If interested in other suggestions with similar problem, see discussion in Women Health group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vaginal-atrophy/

Laurie

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@susanfalcon52

Hello llynch,
I had exactly the same problem and was prescribed the same treatment.
Except that I also had pelvic floor physical therapy. I do use the estrogen cream twice a week and use the coconut oil the other days. It works.
I wasn’t afraid of the estrogen cream as it doesn’t have the same risks as oral estrogen.
I was glad to see your post as no one talks about this problem. They don’t tell you that menopause never ends and can create medical conditions that must be addressed.

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That’s why posted it. The doctor I saw at the urgent care said all I could do was estrogen. I appreciate so much when a natural solution works. Most doctors don’t know.

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@roch


Thanks for your recommendation.

If interested in other suggestions with similar problem, see discussion in Women Health group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vaginal-atrophy/

Laurie

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Thank you so much. I search it but couldn’t find it before I posted it here.

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I have been using vaginal estrogen cream for 30 years with no problems. Not only is the estrogen for the dryness it's for stopping the amount of UTI's that older women are prone to get. I use it twice a week and I'm going to be 82 next month. It doesn't work the same way that oral estrogen does which I could never take birth control pills.

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@gussie

I have been using vaginal estrogen cream for 30 years with no problems. Not only is the estrogen for the dryness it's for stopping the amount of UTI's that older women are prone to get. I use it twice a week and I'm going to be 82 next month. It doesn't work the same way that oral estrogen does which I could never take birth control pills.

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I agree that the risk is lower than oral estrogen. Sometimes we just take the risk. I was in so much pain that if the coconut oil had not worked I would have used the cream, too. I am not against drugs, I just look for safer alternatives if such exists. I am so happy you have never had any problems with it, but someone else might be the person that gets cancer from it.

This from the Mayo Clinic:
Elderly women greater than 65 years of age may have an increased risk of certain side effects during treatment, especially stroke, invasive breast cancer, and memory problems.

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@gussie

I have been using vaginal estrogen cream for 30 years with no problems. Not only is the estrogen for the dryness it's for stopping the amount of UTI's that older women are prone to get. I use it twice a week and I'm going to be 82 next month. It doesn't work the same way that oral estrogen does which I could never take birth control pills.

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“Risk” means that some won’t get cancer, but some will. Not everyone gets cancer or it would be 100% cancer causing. But, it means some actually do get cancer from it. Really, all of life is about weighing rusk. I prefer to not take the risk, if possible, because i tend to have the side effects of drugs. Again, i would use it if coconut oil had not worked. This also from the Mayo Clinic:

When used vaginally or on the skin, most estrogens are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause some, but not all, of the same effects as when they are taken by mouth.

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This is my first time reading about this condion which l have endured without talking to anyone about. I am saddened that so many others suffer but so greatly relieved not to feel so alone. Thank you.

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

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@gussie

I have been using vaginal estrogen cream for 30 years with no problems. Not only is the estrogen for the dryness it's for stopping the amount of UTI's that older women are prone to get. I use it twice a week and I'm going to be 82 next month. It doesn't work the same way that oral estrogen does which I could never take birth control pills.

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We’re you able to have intercourse w your partner?

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