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Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal Dryness

Date : 04-12-2003 - 03:07 PM - Readers : 26459

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Vaginal Dryness?

Ladies, After having just had my last ovary out two weeks ago, I went for my checkup.

Doctor says that because I had a hysterectomy two years ago I am lucky because if I need to I can have just estrogen.

I am having hot flashes but feel I can handle them.

I did buy some Remifemin.

However, she was concerned that I was having vaginal dryness.

She said to call her in a month (or before if things progressed) and update her on hot flashes/dryness. I told her if the hot flashes stayed at this level my main concern is the dryness.

She said there is vaginal estrogen for that which is more local.

Does anyone have any info?

Thanks

Pam

Two years for me too

I also experience vaginal dryness and am two years post op from a total abdominal hysterectomy. I was on Estradiol but after reading the negative press about HRT, I stopped it. I use KY jelly but would like something that doesn't have to be used in a way that makes sex a pre-planned event. I would be interested in hearing what you find out about the vaginal estrogen. Is it applied daily?

Take care,

Sheree

Hi ladies and welcome to the Jungle! There are lots of solutions out there for vaginal dryness.

Vaginal atrophy and vaginal dryness are both pretty common following this surgery. They often occur due to low estrogen levels in the tissues of the vagina. This can happen even in sisters who still have their ovaries, and those who are on HRT. Turns out that the minimum levels of estrogen that are sufficient to keep hot flashes at bay may not be enough to keep those vaginal tissues plumped up and healthy, they're pretty high maintenance.

There are lots of ways of dealing with this problem. If you absolutely, positively cannot have any estrogen at all, you could use Replens or KY Long Lasting. These are OTC, non-hormonal moisturizing products for the vagina. I have used both of them, and found that when I needed them, twice to three times a week did the trick. Some sisters have used Vitamin E capsules, and also there are now Vitamin E vaginal suppositories available.

If you can tolerate estrogen, there are a lot of vaginal estrogen products available by prescription that deal very effectively with dryness or atrophy. For example, Premarin and Estrace both come as vaginal creams. I have used vaginal Premarin myself for a few weeks once and it did work great for me. I have heard that the Estrace cream is slightly less effective, but it is bio-identical so, to me, it would seem a better alternative for longer term use (JMHO there). Estriol also comes as a vaginal cream, although it seems to be more common in Europe and Canada than in the USA, and it is less effective as estriol is a much weaker estrogen than either estradiol or the conjugated estrogens in Premarin. Usually the vaginal estrogen creams are prescribed for use once a day at first and then two or three times a week thereafter.

Vagifem is a tiny tablet of bio-identical estradiol that is placed into the vagina and releases estradiol over time. Estring is a plastic ring that is fitted into the vagina and contains timed release bio-identical estradiol. Both of these products have been very helpful for some women. Both are available by prescription. Both release only very tiny doses of estradiol, so they may not be as effective in correcting the problem once it's well established but might be very good for prevention once the tissues are healed.

Interestingly enough, testosterone applied to the vulva also takes care of vaginal dryness/atrophy and has the added side effect of improving libido. It should only be used in cases where the free testosterone level is low, and only in small doses. I have been using this myself for over a month now and it has taken care of the dryness problem nicely, restored my libido and given me my pre hyst energy level back. I applied it nightly for the first two weeks and twice a week after that. Can't say enough good about it for me, but it isn't for everybody.

If you are also experiencing stress incontinence (leaking of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or jump) urethral atrophy may also be a factor. Since the urethra runs right along the vaginal wall it is logical that anything that absorbed into the vaginal walls would also affect the urethra. The hormonal remedies above can all help restore the integrity of the tissues in the vaginal walls AND the urethra. For many women, this is enough to eliminate or at least reduce the incontinence problem. In addition, testosterone, combined with kegels properly and faithfully done, can help build up the muscles in the pelvic floor, which goes a long way towards eliminating any urinary incontinence problem.

As you can see, there are lots of choices for dealing with vaginal dryness ... there's no need to suffer with this problem. Your DR can help you choose which solution you should try.

Hope this helps!

Hugs,

-Linda

And I just want to pitch in here with another little aspect to the vaginal dryness issue:

I'd always had IBS, and after my surgery went to an Estring with no systemic estrogen for the first three months. For the first few months, I no longer suffered from my IBS symptoms.

I took out my Estring when its three months was up, and as I was having no real "dryness" problems and was by then on the low-dose Vivelle patch, I stopped using any vaginal estrogen. I didn't ever feel "dry", but developed some itching and burning, a feeling that I was developing a rectocele, and my IBS symptoms came back. I tried Estrace cream, which was messy, a hassle, and didn't work particularly well for me. Luckily I had an Estring still in the house, put it back in, and within two weeks, all my IBS (constipation type) symptoms were GONE! Don't know what to tell you...but I'm leaving my ring in, for now .

One problem with the ring, though...you do have to document when you inserted it and it's time to change...I tend to forget, myself, must be that brain thing...

Audrey

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