Cathy shares how oestrogen cream offered relief for vulval pain…
My body changed so rapidly as I went through menopause, at times I didn’t recognise it as my own”
Once my periods stopped four years ago, I initially experienced immense relief. I’d suffered for many years with severe period pain and heavy periods, making it hard to plan outings or holidays and I was reliant on strong painkillers every month.
But there were also plenty of challenges. My body changed so rapidly as I went through menopause, at times I didn’t recognise it as my own.
Start your free online menopause assessment to see if HRT is right for you
The symptoms I’m experiencing now are down to low oestrogen. For me that means forgetfulness, I have to write everything down or it doesn’t get done, collagen loss from the skin, so I’m gaining wrinkles faster than I thought possible, and also vulvodynia, which makes sitting down uncomfortable.
Find out more about brain fog, skin changes and vaginal discomfort in our symptoms library.
My libido seems to have left the room!”
I’d also love to know where my libido has gone. On a scientific level, I understand how falling hormone levels can steal sex drive, but my libido seems to have left the room and thrown away the key! I do feel like I’m missing a piece of the jigsaw puzzle of menopause and hope I can find it in the future.
Vulvodynia left me isolated
The condition came on very quickly and really impacted my wellbeing”
Pain in the vulva, known as vulvodynia, can occur with or without vaginal dryness. It was only through research I discovered how widespread vulvodynia is. Thousands of women, both menopausal and premenopausal, suffer from sometimes agonising pain yet it’s barely ever talked about and rarely taken seriously by the medical profession.
The condition came on very quickly and really impacted my wellbeing, making me feel very helpless and alone. As I work as a freelance writer it has made life hard. Due to my condition, I can no longer wear jeans or ride a bike. This does make me sad sometimes, but I haven’t suffered seriously from the hot flushes, mood swings or sleeping problems a lot of women have to cope with, so I count myself lucky.
I use an oestrogen cream a couple of times a week, which has helped me to a certain extent, and I switched to natural bath and shower products. I’ve also found online support groups very useful, making me realise I wasn’t the only woman suffering from this condition.
Start your free online menopause assessment to see if HRT is right for you
Exploring ways to relax
Menopause brings many changes to your body and different needs compared to when you were younger be they nutrients, sleep or stress reduction techniques.
A recent convert to yoga and meditation”
I’m qualified in nutrition so I like to research scientific studies myself to decide which approaches might be worthwhile, but even though I can access the nutritional knowledge, it’s often hard to be objective and apply this information to myself.
I’m a recent convert to yoga and meditation and I’ve found these to be great for reducing anxiety, which I found myself suffering from at the start of the pandemic. Yoga, meditation and learning how to breathe properly have taught me how to relax.
Final word
This review goes into the various types and causes of vulvodynia, revealing that this type of discomfort has been documented as far back as ancient Egyptian texts. There are also helpful tables on the different types of treatments, from pharmaceutical to behavioural changes. As always, make sure to talk to your doctor first!
Read our guide to the stages of menopause on our blog.
Try our menopause clinic
The latest
The news may have you believe you can now buy your HRT from your pharmacist. Spoiler alert! That’s not quite right as it’s not for all HRT. Find out more here.
Do antibiotics, D-mannose or cranberry juice treat UTIs? Why do UTIs happen after sex during menopause and how can you minimise infections? Find out…
Black cohosh, devil’s claw, red clover, evening primrose oil and flax seeds – do these natural supplements for menopause work and are they worth the money?
If you are under 55 or not postmenopausal, you still need contraception to prevent pregnancy. You also need it to prevent STIs.
Could GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic help menopausal weight gain? We explore who can take these drugs and if they can relieve other menopause symptoms.
Hormonal changes and life milestones make low mood common during menopause. Here’s when to get help and what treatment can help bring back your usual self.
Find out the four foundations for a healthy diet in menopause. Discover the pros and cons of popular diets such as intermittent fasting and plant-based.
