Vaginal Dryness

Body: 

I've had prolapse for a number of years, still have problems with vaginal dryness, I used premarin cream for 7 months (worked great). I developed colon cancer, am now in remission and do not want to use estrogen again, looking on this forum, I don't see many answers on this issue. The one lady was using vitamin E. But I don't know if she used it vaginally or just on the outside. I will try a trip to the health food store today and a search on google. If anyone knows a good cream let me know. I don't itch, just plain dry, I'm 61 years old, some of it is my age I'm sure.

Hi Joanna

The Vitamin E lady was probably me. The one I use is a paraffin-based cream with a high vitamin E content. I use it inside the outer labia and all around the inner labia, and inside my vagina. It does sting a tiny bit for a minute or so but I find that passes, literally in one minute and it does not continue to aggravate at all. Since approaching menopause I have had some pain in the vulval area, that is worse with friction of any sort, so it may be just the friction from applying the cream. The vitamin E cream does heal irritated vaginal and vulval tissue very well, even after rather energetic sex.

My husband and I now find that a good quality massage oil, or even good old cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil works really well either as a sex lubricant or just for everyday lubrication. A water-based lubricant will dry out, but oils do not, and it doesn't get soggy. It is a simple matter of lubrication for me, and I don't need it all the time.

Oil will stop irritation and damage where any two surfaces touch each other. If you prevent rubbing, you prevent irritation and broken surfaces which can make it easier for things like thrush to colonise and thrive.

Oh yes, don't forget that you will *need* more foreplay. It plumps up and moisturises all those love bits. Longer foreplay is one of the privileges of being an older woman. Insist on it, very nicely of course. ;-)

Cheers

Louise

Hi Louise,
Thank you for the information, I will try this. I have difficulty putting my pessary in (cube) without something. I think I will coat myself and the pessary with E Oil. I'll bet that has healing qualities also. My front vaginal wall is loose and down, the pessary really supports this. I've looked in stores and on the net and all the ointments say "for external use only" so you can't say that about Vitamin E and Olive Oil!!!

Thank you again for info on these tips.

Joanna