Replied By Vanna (Usa) on 04/28/2014
Patricia, you said you started with half of a 5 mg and it was too strong. How was it affecting you? Just curious because I started using the 5 mg every other day (started last Thursday) and so far so good. I just insert it as is in the morning. It's just so tiny, can't imagine trying to cut it into 1/3 or even 1/2 of a tablet. I understand everyone is different, so that is why I'm wondering how the strength 2.5 mg was effecting you. Thank you!Replied By Marcy (United States) on 04/30/2014
I need help. I too suffer horribly from Vaginal Atrophy. I'm 55 and through menopause. Approximately 4 years ago I had a large blood clot in my lung, which the doctors said was probably caused by use of the estrogen patch (can't remember which one I used, I think Premarin). So, I cannot use anything hormone related. I've tried using a moisturizer/lubricant injected 3-4 times a week, at night but it did not help and it was very messy. When I saw the commercial for Osphena I thought this might work but my doctor said because of the blood clots, she would not risk giving me the prescription. I don't know where to start. Is DHEA a hormone and could this be something I might be able to use? Please, any suggestions, I'm desperate.Replied By Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 05/01/2014
Dear Marcy, DHEA is a natural steroid. I do not know much about its use.
There was a post recently on the issue of vaginal dryness/atrophy and Damiana was used. Damiana, according to my book, Nutritional Herbology, is not an estrogenic herb, as say, Black Cohosh and Dong Quai are. It is something I would look into.
Jojoba oil and Magnesium seem like some other possible things to try that are not hormonal in nature.
Hoping others will have more feedback for you about the possibility of DHEA.
~Mama to Many~
Replied By Cathy (Tampa, Florida) on 07/22/2014
Hi, I am having an issue with vaginal atrophy-mainly on the external areas aggravated by urine.
My gyns prescribed estrace and estriol in a hypoallergenic base, but after spending $105 on the compounded estriol, the pharmacy still will not tell me what is in the inactive ingredients. I think its cetyl and stearyl alcohol, vaseline, and mineral oil. I have not felt comfortable with either option,
My gyns prescribe the estrace and estriol in a compounded hypoallergenic base, but it has cetyl and stearyl alcohol. Its also very expensive. $55 for a months supply that has to be refrigerated. Just never liked these options.
Just wondering what your symptoms are and if the gyn did any testing to determine it was va, like a swab test, or just by an exam?
Is sitting also a problem, or does the shower water irritate the area? Does urine also irritate the area near urethra or does it sting? Not like a uti, but the actual skin a few seconds later? Are most of the symptoms internal or external?
Glad the DHEA is working. Where do you buy the DHEA pills and would a gyn prescribe it?? Is it a suppository meant to be used that way, or is it an oral supplement?? Is it inserted in something? Have any of you tried estriol in olive oil drops from Womens International pharmacy?
Have any of you had any success with estriol in an olive oil base drops from womens International pharmacy? Is the DHEA little pill I am reading about made for vaginal use-where do you buy it and is it by prescription.
Have you all tried coconut oil unrefined, organic, I've heard from several ladies this has helped alot and it's not so expensive.
Is the vaginal atrophy affecting your life, like is sitting uncomfortable or the shower water irritate the skin also? The beach water stung like crazy.
For those of you who use DHEA vaginally-does it come with an applicator or do you put it in a Carlson vitamin e suppository?
Any of you used coconut oil or vitamin e oil? These are some alternatives I've heard from the health food store . Thanks, this va is new to me and trying to learn to cope with it and know what has worked.
Thanks, Cathy
Replied By Mandy (Us) on 10/01/2014
Im self diagnosing myself with vaginal atrophy... im breastfeeding and never had a vaginal birth (which I read increases your chances of it! ) and at a certain point in my cycle I have about a week of insane itching/burning. I find that using a panty liner helps and I do use coconut oil. I tried it once cause I didn't know what else I could use and it worked! Its not long term, but it definitely helps.Replied By Martinaa (Florida, US) on 01/28/2015
Thank you so much for your post. I too was having painful intercourse and uti's. I took your suggestion and bought some dhea at my local pharmacy as well as suppositories. The dhea came only in a 25mg so I quarter it and put it in the suppository. It has worked really well. I can really notice if I miss a few days. It's a bit of a hassle but well worth it. In europe they sell this already made up; I wish we could buy it in the US. The only thing that concerns me is the extra "filler" ingredients in the dhea; I wonder if those could be harmful.Replied By Jill (Ohio) on 05/20/2015
Doctors will tell you that sore outer labia is from aging and we need to use steroid creams on those spots...BUT> It is caused by waning estrogen. I just learned using a plunger to inject compounded hormones much too high up in vagina is wasting the hormone. Receptors are lower, and use some outside on labia. I almost gave up and thought I would have to resort to steroid cream for outer sore spot. My doc said it is "pale" so do you wnat steroid? (NO! ) I happened to read Dr. Sara Gottfried Hormone Cure THAT NIGHT and used my estriol outside - not high up in vagina. Why didnt my doctor tell me this! ? I have used vaginal es-tri-ol (safer weakest estrogen) for atrphoy - (painful sex and internal itching) for 6 years. I went to doctor at menopause thinking I had yeast infection. That itch is atrophy! Shrinking drying tissues itch! Sex was like broken glass! That is classic need for estriol. Helps ALL bladder issues too. My doc once said cut way back on progesterone cream - you don't have much estrogen to balance anymore. I did - I got a fibroid at age 58! I will not ignore what I studied anymore. AMA doctors are slow to get educated about natural health. They get 30 mins or less of nutritional training in med school! READ ladies! Start with John R. Lee and then read Dr. Jeffrey Zara. Find Jesus...and your covered.Replied By Nevergiveup (Fresno, Ca) on 08/06/2015
I have suffered from VA off and on for more than 20 years. Reluctantly resorted to vegifem, Premarin, helped some, but, not for long and worried about side effects. Now Osphena is being offered. I know they say it isn't estrogen, but, works like estrogen in the vagina. I am still concerned about the negative effects of too much estrogen. Any thoughts out there on the safety of osphena? I have just started the DHEA hydration cubes. I hoping those do the job instead of main stream drugs. But, is their still a worry about the DHEA converting to estrogen with negative side effects?Replied By Wydo (Ca) on 08/31/2016
Marcy, please look into Nattokinase for your blood clots. This will help greatly for that and many other things as well, such as cleaning up your veins. It is a type of enzyme from a soybean ferment. Any soy in it has been removed although one brand puts it in soy oil so if you are sensitive to soy look at what the other ingredients are.Replied By Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 09/01/2016
HI U WYDO,,,,,,,,,, my integrative doctor has his wife on Nattokinase because she has A fib. I also take this along with Taurine and Cartizim. I don't like doing pharmaceuticals, but I also don't like going to the ER in the middle of the night when my pulse hits 180 and I can hear my heart beats in my ears.
I have a better solution......... don't get old.
==========ORH==========
Replied By Shirley (U.k. ) on 09/04/2016
I have terrible trouble sitting and lying down. I'm only a week into these dhea plus Carlson and have not had much change yet but hoping for some improvement very soon. I just want to sit with comfort. Has anyone else had these problems and did it take the dhea longer to work? Very interested.Replied By Jeannie (Oregon) on 11/02/2016
Thank you for your post. It is a great help and I appreciate your being very specific about your routine and how this affects you. I am in the process of investigating this problem since it has become unbearable.Replied By Erin (Webster, Sd) on 12/11/2016
I have vaginal atrophy very badly where sex is out of the question. Plus I'm raw and have a discharge. I'd love a follow up as to if this is still working for you since it's now 12/2016. I am wanting to try this system. Already did Premarin and also Vagifem and they did absolutely nothing at all. Thanks Erin