Menopause Support Group

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.

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deleted_user 03/01/2013

I just had my second ovary out on Feb. 1, surgical menopause has set in like gangbusters...I'm now on the Climara patch....and I don't feel like a depressed basket case anymore...but I got the patch and even though I still "Sweat to the Oldies" all night long...with the help of Melatonin, and low dose aspirin before bed, I'm sleeping better and my frame of mind is back to normal...

BUT...SEX HURTS! I've been married to the same man for 25 years...and I've always needed a little lubicant to make things "down there" work more smoothly...but when we messed around last night, we used more lubricant than usual, because I was so tender...and it hurt for the first third of the encounter...I've read that the patch I'm on will take up to three weeks to get things back in balance, ok..fine...but in the meantime...

Sorry to be so personal, but what do you guys do to make sex easier and less painful? what lubricants do you use? What should I avoid? My crotch is tender today just sitting around...do you use those other products like "Replens" for just regular days????

I think I read something someone posted about getting a "favorite toy"...and lube...all recommendations are welcomed, because frankly, I like sex with my honey, he's a very considerate lover and I don't want to give that up.

fighting4change 03/01/2013

I don't have much experience with different lubes. I don't have the lubrication I used to since my hysterectomy but don't need to use anything on a regular basis, just the occasional lubricant. You can try Replens since one application is supposed to moisturize for a few days. Another options that works for some women is to insert a vitamin E capsule daily (or as needed).

It sounds though like you may have atrophied so you may need some Rx vaginal estrogen such as Estrace or Premarin cream or Vagifem tablets to heal the tissues. Going forward, the patch may or may not keep atrophy at bay. Sometimes the HRT that gives us good systemic coverage isn't enough for the va-jay-jay and vice versa. The patch (V-Dot) gave me more than enough lubrication but I felt like crap in every other way.

deleted_user 03/01/2013

fighting4...what are vagifem tabs? are the a health store product?

fighting4change 03/01/2013

It's a prescription vaginal estrogen tablet.

denymckusker 03/01/2013

I keep Glycerin around for many things...Skin rashes, dry skin areas, dog cuts, sunburn and also vaginal lubricration. It works great for me and the really good thing is I always have it around, it is over the counter and cheap. Might try it. Let your husband in on the applying part. That works pretty good too :)

deleted_user 03/01/2013

I had significant problems which have been alleviated by using Estrace (prescription - see your doctor) and an over-the-counter lubricant called Wet Platinum. Good luck.

deleted_user 03/03/2013

It seems that you need a local estradiol cream! Lubs and other creams won't help to build up your vaginal tissue and make it plump again. I'm also using such vaginal E- cream twice a week and my intimate area is as normal as before the perimenopause. I also had pains , problems with the dryness and also bladder infections. All went away with estrogen cream!

hotmom1 03/04/2013

Take your time getting" warmed up"I find not all lubes were created equal and I swear by Astroglide. Really slippery and doesn't dry up like some of the others. I agree, we can't give up! Good luck.

KJoyous 03/05/2013

Hi! I see you've received several responses, but I'll add my comment regarding Vagifem (tabs). They're prescription (a small 'topical' estrogen), and I've had wonderful success using them. The doesage (how many times per week you use it) will depend on your needs (dryness). One of the additionally nice things about Vagifem is that the hormone isn't absorbed. I have a history of DVT (also needed to undergo an ER hysterectomy when I was 22) and haven't been able to use any kind of hormones, but this, because of the way it works, can be used safely (thankfully!). They're easy to insert and the results are wonderful -- no mess or other issues that sometimes accompany lubricants. Wishing you the best, k

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