I have recently developed atrophic vaginitis it would seem. Ouch. I'm using pessaries prescribed by my doctor. Any advice about dealing with this condition as a person who also has Hashimoto's?
Also, if you've used pessaries, how long did they take to work? I have been on them for a little over a week and don't seem to be feeling much difference. I still have discomfort in my lower tummy/pelvic region and some vaginal discomfort etc.
I guess i'm after some sisterly advice from those who may have walked this path before me.
Thanks in advance
Narelle
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SydneySider123
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I am sorry to hear you are suffering with this - I know how awful it is.
I don't know how old you are but mine started 14 years ago when I was 49 and it was quite bad. I was not hypothyroid then. I tried a variety of pessaries and gels and creams. Some worked a bit but they were all messy and inconvenient. I looked into it all online and found E-string which is a vaginal ring and a hormone replacement therapy. It is available on prescription in the UK. (estring.com). The female doctor at my practice knew about it. The ring fits high up in your vagina and your leave it there for three months and then replace it. You can do it yourself but it is helpful to get the doctor to show you the first time so that you know you have it in the right place. It does not move or drop out (as long as positioned properly) and cannot be felt during intercourse. It has worked really well for me and stops all the chafing and soreness and unpleasantness. Getting it out can be tricky but as long as you leave yourself plenty of time and stay relaxed it is fine! The amount of hormone released is very small and it is restricted to that area, but sufficient to help the vaginal tissue and surroundings.
Thanks Zebra5, i appreciate your reply and your understanding. It's pretty unpleasant. I am actually starting to wonder if i'm having a reaction to the pessaries as the longer i'm on them, the worse i feel. I'm going to take a break for a few days to see if things settle down. I'm not sure that this type of treatment is for me. We'll see.
Hi I was wondering what reactions you were having as I too have atrophic vaginitis. I have tried various moisturisers, etc. to no avail, so am thinking of going down the HRT pessary route. I would like to know more about any side effects, and would very much appreciate hearing a real user’s experience rather than what the doctor says, perhaps you could private message me?
I use Ovestin cream once a week applied with middle finger. Its prescribed by my GP here in UK. Its excellent and has really helped me. Hope you find a suitable product to help with this miserable condition.
I had to look it up to be sure but I also suffer this however I found a cure for me by accident. I haven’t had it diagnosed but have suffered dryness even going to the toilet was very uncomfortable especially after my ovaries were removed.
My cure was taking buckthorn oil supplements, I was recommended to take for my dry eyes and they do help but I found they help all dryness including internal. I’m not bothered by going to the toilet or anything else. If I stop for any reason it comes back.
I get mine from amazon and take 2 a day as recommended.
Have a look at Ospemifene tablets, they are reletivly new in UK but they are very good, I've tried most things and these have been the best. I was initially prescribed them by a private Gynaecologist but my GP is happy to carry on with repeats, they are a bit pricey !
Hi, I suffer from vaginal atrophy too. I'm currently using vagifem, it took almost a year before I felt real benefit. I am a little sensitive to the pessaries so I now use one once a week, when you are supposed to use it twice a week. In-between times I use YES products, natural ingredients and organic. I use the vaginal moisturiser externally, and vaginal moisturiser in little applicators internally. There is an oil based lubricant for intercourse, in a tube, and in little applicators. I have really sensitive skin, but not had a problem with YES products. I can now get away with one vagifem pessary, and one application of vaginal moisturiser a week. I've gone from not being able to have a walk, up all night with burning and itching, extreme soreness to being 90% comfortable all of the time. I did actually see a gynaecologist it was so bad. I think some of the hormone does get into your system because I've noticed my breasts are a bit firmer and my pubic hair has grown back.
I too had positive benefits but stopped when I got definite systemic side effects including tender boobs and almost pmt symptoms which my GP adamantly disputed was due to vagifem.
Hi Lupymo, vagifem definitely gets into your system, I've had nausea in the early days of using it, even more tiredness too. I tried HRT tablets once and it was the nausea that made me give up on them. There is a lot of evidence you can find in medical papers that the hormone doesn't just stay in the vagina. It's low dosage, but it's still there. I had a hysterectomy and I've read recently that taking HRT can protect you from breast cancer, but not so if you haven't had a hysterectomy. Your GP can argue all he/ she likes the facts are there. I've been very low in oestrogen for a long time, my pubic hair was very sparse, even my underarm hair, how has that miraculously grown again without a systemic effect from the vagifem?
I’ve had a full hysterectomy too. Can’t take HRT tablets, cause constant migraines and nausea. Been on HRT patches for 10years. GP wants me to change to vagifem. She feels there’s less chance of breast cancer and that it might help with a bit of urge incontinence I’ve been getting this year (it comes and goes depending on what I’m doing). Have you tried the patches? If yes, did you notice much change with using vagifem? I get a lot of migraines especially when I’m tired or stressed, and recently the nausea is getting bad again. I’m hoping that changing might lessen them.......well I live in hope ......☺️
Hi Lovecake, no I've never tried the patches. I am a migraine sufferer too, thyroid meds have helped that, they're not a daily occurrence now. I have interstitial cystitis any way, so I get pain, urge, leaking you name it. I noticed when my vaginal atrophy was at it's worst my frequency of urination shot up. It's normal for me to go 15 times a day, but it ended up every 15 mins day and night, it was exhausting. The vagifem definitely helps my stress incontinence too, my bladder has benefitted even using it once a week rather than twice a week as recommended.
Boy! The things we go through! I’m going to give the vagifem a try. I did say to the GP she has to promise I can go back on the patches if it’s not suitable. My migraines have stepped up a notch this year. I think I’m slightly under medicated, so have decided to add a little extra thyroxine. Will do a home blood test and monitor how I feel. Then if it does improve I will let the endo and GP know.
If it doesn’t improve then I’ll have to ask their advice........or maybe I’ll ask here first??? We’ll see.
Hi Lovecake, you use the pessaries every day for the first two weeks, I felt slightly irritated, more because I was just so sore inside, this did pass. I use YES vaginal moisturiser internally at least two days after the pessary. I contacted YES and it's fine to use both if you need to. Again I felt a slight burn the first few times I used the vaginal moisturiser, it's not a problem at all now, in fact it's very soothing.
This has been a problem for me for 2 years, I have tried the pessaries, estrogen cream, various moisturizers etc, it has helped a bit less uncomfy but my poor hubby (who has been very understanding) tbh intercourse is completely off the agenda now as nothing has helped enough and I'm sick of the disappointment every time something does not work. I am 60 years old so not a massive loss but still sad as was a rather large part of our earlier life, hubby jokes we prob just wore me out! Bless him just trying to make me feel better.
There was an excellent thread some time back with great info, unfortunately none of it worked for me. I have Drs appt Friday so as I am a complete masochist I might ask about zebras string thing as a last shot xx I hope yours gets better, it's deff worth trying xx
Have you tried HRT? I took it following a total hysterectomy, but was persuaded to stop taking it by an endocrinologist. However, I then developed atrophic vaginitis and in my 70s, too arthritic to do gymnastics with creams and pessaries, I asked the gynaecologist if I could go back to HRT and he was happy for me to do so. After several months, I was much improved. Also, a cardiologist has told me that it's good for my heart, and I know it's good for my bone strength, so that's a bonus. You're too young to give up an important part of your life.
HRT made me feel dizzy and nauseated but not tried bio identical not easy to find practitioner. I use an estrogen cream which makes things more comfy but not restored. Maybe I will try again xx thank you
Did you try vagifem? It’s a pessary. My mum had terrible issues down below and this seems to have helped. She can tolerate it too and she has bad side effects with most tablets (thin’ it runs in the family).
Yes thank you for your answer but they didn't help, I tried 4 months and then gave up to try something else, iv sort of accepted it but keep trying none the less.
Wow, who knew this was such a common thing? I've been living the dream not having had to deal with anything like this up until now. I feel lucky to have avoided it for so long.
Thanks everyone for your replies and for sharing on such an intimate topic. I do appreciate it.
I believe i may be having a reaction to the pessaries. Having been on them daily for a little over a week and like i said, everything in my tummy and V region was feeling worse by the day. I am putting a halt to using them at the moment to see if that helps things to settle down. So far this morning things feel better for not using them last night.
Once again, i really appreciate your replies and love some of the natural options shared here. I seem to be quite sensitive so natural is a good way for me to try first.
If anyone wants to know the details of specific side effects i've noticed in the last week, please send me a private message.
Hi, You have my sympathies. I too suffer with this and interstitial cystitis. I use Vagifem every five days - using it more often gave me breast pain. Also Sylk lubricant as and when required. Wear loose clothing if possible - no more tight jeans! Eating plant-based foods that contain phytoestrogens may help raise oestrogen levels. Examples include: seeds: flaxseeds and sesame seeds. Fruit: apricots, oranges, strawberries, peaches, many dried fruits. Good luck.
I can help...but its a longer discussion.pm if you like.
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