1. < Women's Health

Vaginal Atrophy

Posted by daisysocal @daisysocal, Sep 27, 2022

Seems like vaginal atrophy is a taboo topic, yet so many women are suffering with this. I had breast cancer and was on anastrozole for 7 years. I’m not sure if my Intercourse pain is due to lack of estrogen from the estrogen blocker or from menopause or both. I have opened up about this with female acquaintances and have found there are so many women who suffer from this. It’s a subject so difficult to discuss with your husband, partner, doctors, etc. Many women have told me estrogen creams don’t work, Mona Lisa type treatments don’t help, and our sex lives are non-existent. I was a very sexual woman, wife, enjoyed sex so much. I am very active, attractive and fit at 60 years old. But quite honestly I feel almost worthless when it comes to being intimate. It’s really sad and I wish I could have normal sex again without feeling like I’m being stabbed by a knife, hiding my face crying, and swollen. In fact, I stopped having sex altogether about 2 years ago. It just really stinks.

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imallears | @imallears | Apr 5, 2023

@siosal

I use Baylife Pharmacy in St Petersburg, Florida. A few years ago my OBY/GYN Nurse Practitioner told me to use a compounding pharmacy because it is so much cheaper She knew of Baylife and their price has stayed the same for several years. There are compounding pharmacies nationwide.

Perhaps you could call a few in your area for price quotes and, if you come across a decent price, have your practitioner write a script for that pharmacy.
Many practitioners will write a generic brand if asked but I don’t know how many will think of a compounding pharmacy

FL Mary

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mistea | @mistea | Apr 5, 2023
In reply to @kell4042 "So what I've learned is that tissue health degrades with menopause, however vaginisum required pelvic floor..." + (show)
@kell4042

So what I've learned is that tissue health degrades with menopause, however vaginisum required pelvic floor therapy for muscle tension and muscle spasms. My understanding is while muscles are tense, there is lack of blood flow to the tissue in and around the vulva area so that tissue is constricted and can't plump up. I invested in a book on vaginisum and a pelvic floor wand, specific for trigger pain through massage of the muscles in pelvic floor to teach them to respond differently to penetration and allow more blood flow to tissue, plumping it up. And I use a numbing agent right at opening. All takes about 3 months to get those results. Make sure when you take breathes, slow tummy inflating inhales, supposed to help lengthen the cavity as well.

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Thanks so much for this information. You've been more informative than any M.D. I've ever talked to about this! What you say makes sense and I am definitely going to pursue the vaginismus angle.
I had my annual physical today, mentioned my problem to my G.P. to ask for a referral, she had no idea what specialty she could refer me to. Maybe urogynecologist. But it seems there is a lot I can do for myself.

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ladonnaa | @ladonnaa | Apr 8, 2023

I had ovarian cancer, so, total hysterectomy. I also have Sjogrens Disease, (dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin….dry everything). I was so uncomfortable when I went to my gynecologist. I had not seen her for awhile, as, I saw my oncologist for checkups. My gynecologist diagnosed me, knew I could not take Estrace because of the cancer, so, suggested coconut oil. I have been using coconut oil for about 4 years now. It is wonderful. I purchased vaginal applicators online, and use it everyday, am & pm. No pain ever.

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2 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @ladonnaa "I had ovarian cancer, so, total hysterectomy. I also have Sjogrens Disease, (dry eyes, dry mouth,..." + (show)
@ladonnaa

I had ovarian cancer, so, total hysterectomy. I also have Sjogrens Disease, (dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin….dry everything). I was so uncomfortable when I went to my gynecologist. I had not seen her for awhile, as, I saw my oncologist for checkups. My gynecologist diagnosed me, knew I could not take Estrace because of the cancer, so, suggested coconut oil. I have been using coconut oil for about 4 years now. It is wonderful. I purchased vaginal applicators online, and use it everyday, am & pm. No pain ever.

Jump to this post

Good evening @ladonnaa. I see this is your first post since becoming a Connect member. Thanks for contributing. By sharing your experiences, you help so many others. We have quite hundreds of folks who feel more comfortable reading than writing. And they too will increase their knowledge about the condition that brought them to Connect.

And just a minor question. I like your name. Did you perhaps graduate from high school in 1959? I had a friend named La Donna at that time.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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1 reply
ladonnaa | @ladonnaa | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @artscaping "Good evening @ladonnaa. I see this is your first post since becoming a Connect member. Thanks..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good evening @ladonnaa. I see this is your first post since becoming a Connect member. Thanks for contributing. By sharing your experiences, you help so many others. We have quite hundreds of folks who feel more comfortable reading than writing. And they too will increase their knowledge about the condition that brought them to Connect.

And just a minor question. I like your name. Did you perhaps graduate from high school in 1959? I had a friend named La Donna at that time.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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I am sorry, Chris. I am not the friend in high school in 1959.; Thank you for ‘the like’ on my name, i just wondered, is vaginal atrophy easily recognized by gynecologists? For the number of women who have it, there doesn’t seem to be many choices on how to live with it. Most choices are so costly. And the estrogen free, not covered by insurance, could cost around $30 a month, and are messy.

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1 reply
imallears | @imallears | Apr 10, 2023

@ladonnaa

You can get estrogen cream at a compounding pharmacy cheaper..I pay $60 for a 6+month supply and it's not messy at all.
A UroGyn is the best option...one that also specializes in pregnancy and has Nurse Practioners who are very familiar with the female anatomy and it's problems and have the patience to answer questions.

FL Mary

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @ladonnaa "I am sorry, Chris. I am not the friend in high school in 1959.; Thank you..." + (show)
@ladonnaa

I am sorry, Chris. I am not the friend in high school in 1959.; Thank you for ‘the like’ on my name, i just wondered, is vaginal atrophy easily recognized by gynecologists? For the number of women who have it, there doesn’t seem to be many choices on how to live with it. Most choices are so costly. And the estrogen free, not covered by insurance, could cost around $30 a month, and are messy.

Jump to this post

Thanks @imallears. You beat me to it. Do you find @imallears' response appropriate for your concern, @ladonnaa? I really don't have much to add. My last visit to a gynecologist was in 1997 in Hawaii. When I moved here and had a PCP, I told her about my symptoms. Then I got some VMagic. After I met a Urologist while in the ER for a kidney stone, then she recommended estrogen but my insurance wouldn't support it. So we tried Premarin and I have an as-needed Rx for that product.

@ladonnaa, I just responded to a member about some possibilities to receive co-pay coverage. Let me see if I can find that post. Do you use the Search box at the top of the screen?
May you have peace and contentment.
Chris

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1 reply
ladonnaa | @ladonnaa | Apr 10, 2023

No, I do not need the help with my insurance. I have great insurance, but cannot take estrogen due to ovarian cancer. Coconut oil really meets my needs, and will go to Replens when traveling. Just thought that info might help someone else.

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ladonnaa | @ladonnaa | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @artscaping "Thanks @imallears. You beat me to it. Do you find @imallears' response appropriate for your concern,..." + (show)
@artscaping

Thanks @imallears. You beat me to it. Do you find @imallears' response appropriate for your concern, @ladonnaa? I really don't have much to add. My last visit to a gynecologist was in 1997 in Hawaii. When I moved here and had a PCP, I told her about my symptoms. Then I got some VMagic. After I met a Urologist while in the ER for a kidney stone, then she recommended estrogen but my insurance wouldn't support it. So we tried Premarin and I have an as-needed Rx for that product.

@ladonnaa, I just responded to a member about some possibilities to receive co-pay coverage. Let me see if I can find that post. Do you use the Search box at the top of the screen?
May you have peace and contentment.
Chris

Jump to this post

All good here.

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