If you find yourself oohing down below for the wrong reasons, you maybe suffering from, genitourinary syndrome, atrophic vaginitis, vaginal atrophy or vaginal dryness. Funny, we have a multitude of names for our vagina, I’m unsure the reason. I wonder why this is? Anyway, around 80 percent of ladies suffer with these symptoms during perimenopause, and beyond, however research shows less than 10 percent seek help. The problem is, if left ‘she’ doesn’t get better, without a little help.
Symptoms
Dryness, burning, itching, bleeding, pain during sex.
Urge incontinence: sprinting to the loo for an under whelming pee. Waking in the night for a pee. Needing to go more often than usual.
Stress incontinence: an embarrassing leak with a cough or sneeze. Brushed off as the norm, (definitely not for me) with the many pads available.
Often due to the changing pH and thinning tissue of the urethra, there maybe inflammation.
Tips
Not a time to be adventurous. No supplementing from your kitchen cupboard. Leave the oils for your salads and petroleum jelly for your lips! (pardon the pun)
Visit your pharmacy or doctor for advice. My gynaecologist has samples so I’ve taken advantage.
No washing and scrubbing with perfumed bubble bath or shower gels.
These products are not necessary, they can change the natural bacteria which is needed to keep the pH balance, in turn staving off thrush and helping with lubrication.
Washing with water is enough.
Treat down there with love and care.
Treatment
Good news, there are options to help symptoms.
Also non-hormonal water or oil based lubricants, moisturisers improve dryness.
creams And gels
Topical creams and gels containing oestrogen are applied directly inside the vagina with or without an applicator depending on your preference. They can be used around the vaginal area. This is not HRT the oestrogen only effects the vaginal area where directed. Use as prescribed by your doctor.
Oestrogen pessary
Pessaries are used with or without an applicator. When dissolved there may be a little discharge.
Oestrogen rings
Your doctor, health professional or you can pop this inside your vagina. Usually replaced every 3 months. (use as prescribed). You can forget about it for a while plus you don’t have to remove it before sex. A winner!
non-hormonal
These moisturisers, creams and lubricants can be bought over the counter from your pharmacy. Make sure they have the correct pH balance, between 3.8 and 4.5. These should soothe take away burning. Use before sex, you know the drill!
No need to grin and bear it or suffer in silence. If you have undergone cancer treatment speak with your specialist, tropical creams maybe be possible. if not non-hormonal options are available.
Lastly, if ‘she’ is still like the Sahara and you’re on HRT have a chat with your doctor. I know ladies who also use oestrogen pessaries and creams with HRT.
Any tips please share.
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