Restless legs.

[Trish8433]

I have severe restless legs, as previously discussed within this forum.

Over the past few years intercourse has become quite painful - middle age woman syndrome. Recently my GP started me on

10 milligrams estradiol vagifem pessaries. I understand that hrt has a significant impact on rls. My rls was getting under control however I have noticed since starting this medication I have rls every night. Should these pessaries make a difference to rls or is it something else. Be interesting to hear the experiences of other women. Thanks for all your wonderful advice and for being there.

[SueJohnson]

Unfortunately it is the pessaries.

[Madlegs1]

KY jelly.

[Trish8433 in reply to Madlegs1]

No that doesn't stop the pain at all.

[DesertOasis in reply to Trish8433]

Agreed. And unopposed estrogen like that can lead to breast cancer and definitely worsened symptoms of RLS. There are Carlson’s vitamin e suppositories for the long run improvement. The best to prevent friction is A&D ointment. Neither are water-based so no gynecologist in the world will recommend them. Sometimes you have to pick your poison. Thinner, drier skin = much pain down there. Mother Nature can be so cruel.

[Joolsg]

I'm not convinced it's the pessaries as they localise the very low dose oestrogen. They're not the same as HRT pills and cream.I suspect it's more likely to be the Pramipexole withdrawal or possibly the new anti depressant you started recently.

[Boldgirl45]

Hi there - it might be worth googling the Mona Lisa procedure for painful sex. This is from a quick Google search: ''MonaLisa Touch is a type of laser therapy to treat symptoms of vaginal atrophy like vaginal dryness and painful sex. It works by repairing your vaginal tissue. A healthcare provider performs MonaLisa Touch in their office. It's noninvasive and doesn't require anesthesia''.

My next door neighbour had it done and said it was a complete game changer. By the way I live in Turkey, she got it done up in Marmaris cheaply, but it will be an international procedure I'm sure.

Good luck!

[Birdland]

Any estrogen treatment makes my RLS worse, even estradiol.

[grassgree]

As Joolsg said, it's my understanding that only a little estrogen from pessaries is absorbed into the general bloodstream. I'd be skeptical of stopping the medication. What about going back to gabapentin or pregabalin and giving that a second try? If you're totally off the dopamine agonist, either of those drugs might work now. Make sure not to take them within two hours of taking magnesium, which can prevent the drug from being absorbed. If you're not totally off the dopamine agonist, withdrawal is a more likely cause.

[BeachGolfer]

I have no problem using Estradiol Cream not a pessary. It definitely does not affect my RLS.

[VanillaOatMilk]

I have been using Vagifem for MANY years. Because it is administered locally, very little gets into the general blood stream. I have a strong history of breast cancer in female side of my family, yet both my Gyn and Internist docs support my using this med. It can really help post-menopausal women maintain the integrity of the uro-genital area, especially, eg, forestalling possible development of leakage issues as we age and maintaining healthy vaginal tissue. I, and my docs, do not feel that this med affects my RLS. Pregabalin is working quite well for me; not perfect, but is allowing me an acceptable night’s sleep most of the time.

[notnowdad]

After I learned I could turn off my RLS by following a low oxalate diet I came across information that some women who suffer from vulvodynia obtain relief by following a low oxalate diet. Success with a low oxalate diet requires using organic fruits and vegetables because many fresh fruits and vegetables (both in Europe and the US and, I assume, in Australia) are sprayed with oxalic acid solution as a preservative. For me, it also required avoiding glycine supplements and gelatinous soups and stews (which are rich in glycine) because too much of this amino acid apparently stimulates my liver to overproduce oxalic acid.

After about 6 years of successfully managing my RLS by adhering to a low oxalate diet I experimented with some other dietary modifications which changed me from a person with very severe allergies to pollens and dust mites to being a person without allergies. The regimen requires conscientiously minimizing my exposure to fluoride and avoiding all refined, bleached and deodorized cooking oils made from seeds (corn, soy, canola, etc.) After almost 3 years of this, I seem to have almost completely recovered my ability tolerate oxalates and gelatinous foods. However, my current regimen is very difficult for most people to follow. I cook everything from scratch, I don’t eat in restaurants and I don’t use standard non-stick cookware because its toxic fluorocarbon surface contaminates food.

[BarnGir1 in reply to notnowdad]

Notnowdad, I am amazed how much you were able to figure out but sounds like it was worth the extraordinary effort! I have found that usually I am more successful eliminating something than adding something but perseverance and patience and determination are helpful! BarnGirl