Re: Atrophic Vaginitis

[Guest guest]

HI Annie;

If you have atrophic vaginitis in 'my' opinion there's nothing better than using the Estrace cream both vaginally and on the vulva. Or a form of Estradiol (which is in Estrace) such as the Vagifem or the Estring, but in my opinion you definitely need estrogen in some form and Oral or a systemic form just generally won't do it even if you are on HRT or a patch form.

It needs to be a direct local application from all I've read.

My two cents worth hon.

HugsDee~

[Guest guest]

Hormone replacement therapy, and medicating my underactive thyroid. The

patch has worked just fine for me, though it took some time to find the

proper dosage. I use .75 ml Vivelle.dot estradiol patch.

Dusty

Atrophic Vaginitis

I was wondering if anyone has this diagnosis and it so what has worked

for you.

Thanks,

Annie

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[Guest guest]

>

> HI Annie;

>

> If you have atrophic vaginitis in 'my' opinion there's nothing better

than using the Estrace cream both vaginally and on the vulva. Or a

form of Estradiol (which is in Estrace) such as the Vagifem or the

Estring, but in my opinion you definitely need estrogen in some form

and Oral or a systemic form just generally won't do it even if you are

on HRT or a patch form.

>

> It needs to be a direct local application from all I've read.

> My two cents worth hon.

>

> Hugs

> Dee~

>

Thanks for the responses it's nice to know others have so much

knowledge about these things.

I am being treated with estragen cream, vagifem, and steroid

cream. I am just trying to figure out why I would have this since I am

only 28. My youngest child is 2 1/2 so I can't be post partum.

I am not sure if this is what I have, my doctor called it Vulva

atrophic. I did have my hormones tested and will find out more next

week. Still feeling sore and burning. He did say that the reason I am

having these symptons at this time of year, because of the dry winter

(I live in Utah), he said it takes the skin up to 6 weeks to respond.

I have also had a lot of stressors in the past few months. It seems

after major stresses I flare up.

I am thinking about asking about a SSRI to help with nerve and

chronic pain. I am taking Welbutrin Xl right now, but that is for

depression. I did take Amitrypt last year, but could not tolerate the

side effects.

I do like my doctor and he is the " Vagina Doctor " around here. He

treats mostly Vaginal problems. he has been good about seeing me, and

offering up many solutions. Most have helped to a point. At least He

does not give me yeast and other harsh creams.

Thanks for listening and your stories,

Annie

[Guest guest]

HI Anne,

If your doctor has given you the Vagifem (estradiol tab.inserted) and you said an estrogen cream (I'm assuming you mean to use topically) those sound logical to me as well as to what he should have given you hon for an atrophic vagina. Estrogen truly is the best answer for that problem. So 'to me' that sounds good, but they will take a bit of time for that skin to renew itself, so have patience there.

And it's not that unusual for a younger person to be given those, especially if they need architechtural rebuilding and it can happen to someone younger, so your doctor is just trying to get that V. skin healthy.

Also it may have nothing to do at all with your blood levels, they may be just fine.... but it's likely to be a problem with the hormone 'receptors' themselves not working efficiently and why a direct application works much better. So I'm not sure if a blood level test for them would be that helpful as a guide.

As to the steroid (topical I'm assuming) you were given, that often is the first thing used for 'symptoms' to help with pain, itch, inflammation etc as long as no infections are found and the problem is in the skin itself. So you need something for that relief and that too makes sense as to why it was given.

BUT..... on the other hand steroids (and I've no idea if you are on a high potency or low dose brand)... IF overused or abused (and so easy to do) can 'cause' those very same symptoms since they are known to thin the tissue in a fairly short amt. of time and really increase the burning effect and more.

I ended up with huge blisters like a severe chemical burn from 'overuse' of steroids but was told to continue by ignorant physicians *sigh*... but that's how bad they can be used wrongly as well as beneficial, so they can be a double edged sword. I definitely do not mean to frighten you hon of those as they can be a godsend too if used correctly.

So I just hope with the steroid, that you are using just a minimal amt. (peasize) and not overdoing that one. I've seen some pretty dire results with 'overuse & abuse' of steroids. So don't be afraid of it just use it wisely. It's one of those meds that more is NOT better. A small peasize once or twice a day is MORE than enough in 'my' opinion and if you are not feeling better within two weeks, 'I'd' be tapering down. If you are doing better then it's suggested up to a months use then taper down. But I myself wouldn't go longer than a month using that much. (it also depends on the strength too)

I don't know how long you've been on your protocol hon.... but 'I'd' surely give it some time, esp. for the estrogen to kick in, before I'd go to the antidepressants myself. (but that's me) and 'possibly' cut back & taper down on the steroids IF you think that might have been the problem.

By the way one always tapers off a steroid and don't go off cold turkey, else there is what they call the 'rebound' effect and it can be much worse. So just taper back IF you think that might have been what happened to you hon.

Too many times I've seen a viscious cycle happen with steroids, the worse we get the more we think it helps short term (and it does feel like it gives immediate relief) but unknowingly we may be creating the very condition we're trying to eliminate (and I've NO idea if that 'might' have been what happened with you hon). Just that I know too often we all tend to think if a little is good, more is better. *smile* and it's not so with most of these meds. (even the estrogen).

Oh speaking of the estrogen you're using topically...... if it's Estrace (which is great) but the 'base' in that too can irritate some people, so that too 'might' be part of it. (why some people get the Estradiol compounded) *estradiol* is the main component in Estrace but it's the doggone base 'with some' that can irritate too.

So I'd take a few days break from that IF you think that might be part of the problem too. Let things simmer down even if it's for a few days or so.... then return to it as it is excellent for rebuilding the tissue. But one other thought is that since you are using the Vagifem, (same ingredient 'estradiol*) you might not even need the Estrace topically.

(Ditto if it's Premarin but I hope it's Estrace because that is the bio-identical estrogen like our own is.)

Skin has it's own rate of renewal and we just can't rush it or use 'more' meds. Like a black fingernail it just takes time to grow out. So hon have patience and hang in there, it does sound like you've got a good doctor. Oh one other thought is to take an oral antihistamine (OTC) too, esp. at bedtime, that can help reduce the histamine and other cytokines that are causing that burning etc.

And if someone is in a severe flare up?

This is something I gave out to a gal recently and that's to soak that area in milk (like a sitz bath or basin you can sit in) or make a compress out of milk, even soak a menstrual pad in milk and hold it against you. She was really in severe pain, tried it and wrote back that it was a miracle for her she was amazed at the almost instant relief. It's an old time remedy but still effective. Not that it cures anything but seems as if it can bring some quick relief. So just a thought there.

Wishing you the best and I know how that can hurt.*sigh* I'm so sorry. Hang in there hon and just my $.02 worth.

hugs

Dee~

[Guest guest]

Dee: what is the difference between Estrace cream and Premarin cream please? hugs, ML