Full Thread

Mary (The Netherlands) on 07/23/2015

Hi all, I really would like to order these DHAE cubes but shipping it to Europe is quite expensive. Does anyone know if I can get this anywhere in Europe? I cannot find it on the Internet. I really would be very thankful.

Replied By Louise (Nsw) on 03/28/2016
Thank you for sharing and I am trying to find a solution to atrophy also.

I am just trying to understand your response.

You will insert vaginally a low dose DHEA capsule? I am unsure what a Carlson is. Any information would be most helpful.

L

Replied By Anne (London) on 02/15/2021
Thank you so much for writing out the solution in detail. I was able to get hold of DHEA (post via a reputable supplier) with the Carlson suppositories. Took about 2 weeks of daily use before I felt improvement, and I'm very happy to report, it works! I still have to use it as I haven't yet reached ‘saturation', as some here have, in order to cut back to 3 or 4 times a week. I tested it out, stopped for a day, and the dryness returned in 24 hours. I will probably have to continue daily use for a full month and test again. God bless.

Replied By Sandra (U.k) on 04/04/2016

Louise. Carlsons are vaginal suppositories containing vitamin E which I obtained from Amazon. When you remove them from the foil they are each individually enclosed in I can only describe them as a white, waxy bullet. When I have pulled down the foil about half way down I then insert my thumb nail to separate the suppository in two and just take the top piece and place it in my tiny lidded container, and rewrap the piece left in the foil to use up next time. As stated previously I then tip out half of the DHEA capsule (keeping the half remaining capsule to use next time with the suppository) put the lid on the plastic container and shake them both up together. I did discover a better way though and have bought a lubricant called Sylk (I'm sure any water based lube would be OK) and add just one drop to the plastic container before I shake it. This improved the take up of the DHEA onto the Carlsons. So there you have it, my D.I.Y recipe (following weeks of Google research) to finally beat this very painful condition of severe atrophy. The Carlsons gave me immediate relief from the soreness and dryness, and there is hope that the DHEA will provide a long term return to normality. I did use this every day for a month and now reduced to alternate days 3 times a week with a break at the weekends. The cost is minimal and I don't suffer any of the symptoms I was experiencing before. I would have used the Dehydration Cubes if they were available in the U.K. but they just aren't but as this method is undeniably working for me I am quite happy to continue with it. I was prescribed Vagifem by my local hospital but was too sore to even be able to insert the applicator without a great deal more pain and within 5 days I was so unwell I knew I couldn't continue with it. The severe headache in itself was unbearable but I had severe cramps in my lower regions and, it's hard to describe, but I felt as if my body was trying to eject that one small, hard tablet. I am a person who has experienced similar headaches which went on day after day whenever I was described anything hormonal but I have had no problem whatsoever in tolerating the DHEA and it doesn't remind me of its presence in any way. I insert it and forget it. Simples!

Replied By Caroline (Uk) on 04/29/2016
It is so comforting to read these posts. I have been suffering from vaginal atrophy for a few years (I'm 62) and given up on Vagifem to replace my oestrogen because it gave me severe abdominal pains and left the skin burning and sore once I reduced the doseage. If DHEA can do the job, I will be delighted.

Sandra, can I just ask you to confirm. You buy DHEA from Swanson as 10g capsules which are meant to be swallowed. Instead, you use half a capsule and mix it with half a Vitamin E suppository, using Sylk lubricant as a mixer.

What is the little plastic tub you mix it in?

How do you then get the mixture inserted into your vagina??

Replied By Sara (London) on 04/30/2016

Hi I was so interested in your progress so guess who also got Carlsons, and swansons dhea. I also purchased a dilator kit. Day one of using all 3. Dialator for ten mind gently probing sore spots as per instructions. It's such an upsetting and embarrassing condition that I felt compelled to join the thread and will keep you updated. Thank you for sharing x

Replied By Sandra (U.k) on 06/24/2016

Caroline. Yes, the DHEA capsules are originally for oral use but research in the U.S. shows that using them internally minimises/negates any potential side effects.

Any small plastic container suffices, in fact I no longer use the lid on mine, just shake the Carlsons suppository, Sylk and DHEA from side to side to coat the Carlsons. Any small plastic container will be ok - mine originally contained disposable gloves for hair dye but how about those little containers used to measure medicine or those see through ones that you get on top of toiletries. Easy to rinse out after use and small is good only because you then don't waste so much of the DHEA that tends to stick to the sides. As long as half the suppository just fits into the container it will be perfect. As for inserting vaginally there is only one way and that is to just pretend it's a tampon! The Carlsons are really quite comfortable to use due to their waxy composition. I usually place half a dozen or so into my bathroom cabinet for immediate use and store the remainder of the Carlsons in the fridge.

It has only been a matter of a few months now and, to tell the truth, the Atrophy rarely, if ever, crosses my mind. Mine was so severe as I had been wrongly informed that when I had my hysterectomy some 25 years ago that it was partial, had never been offered any treatment, and was in total ignorance of the long term effects it was having on my vaginal health. It was only when I got to my mid 60's and questioned why I didn't have any menopausal symptoms that the error came to light. I had also given up attempting any form of intimacy, due to the excruciating pain that involved nearly 15 years ago, so wasn't aware of how my condition had really worsened since that time.

So, here I am today and I only use the DHEA about every 3 days or so, and without having to go into details, I can so tell the difference when inserting the Carlsons that maybe if the right man came along ...... well, who knows! The thought certainly doesn't appear to terrify me any more.

Replied By Shirleyw (West Yorkshire) on 08/17/2016

Please forgive my ignorance but what is a Carlson? And could you use dhea cream. I have been in absolute agony for 5 years now. Please advise, many thanks Shirley

Replied By Sandra (Uk) on 08/23/2016

Shirley. Carlson Key E, to give them their full name, are natural vitamin E suppositories. From the description on the rear of the box: they are natural soothing inserts prepared with a base derived from coconut and palm oils. They also contain natural-scource vitamin E. It is these Carlsons that supply the hydration and soothing that us ladies with atrophy are so lacking. They do give immediate relief from that awful dryness. Then the Sylk, necessary to get the DHEA to adhere to the Carlson suppository, also provides further hydration in itself. The DHEA is necessary to solve the long term problem, and the nearest we have to a cure that I know of without going down the route of using Premarin or Vagifem which my body couldn't tolerate. I purposefully tracked down the lowest dose of DHEA with the intention of increasing it if I thought it necessary, but it appears to be enough to ease my symptoms. However, I could only find it in capsule form at Swanson so I can only hope they will continue selling it for as long as it is needed. Maybe one day we in the UK will be able to purchase the dehydration cubes that those fellow sufferers in the U.S. are lucky to be able to buy.

Regarding your question concerning the DHEA cream. I will have to do a bit of research into that as I don't really have any knowledge of it beyond being used solely for anti-ageing. Maybe somebody else on this site has used it and has any comments to add concerning the cream and whether it could be beneficial for atrophy?

Shirley, if you have any further questions just ask and I will try to remember to look in on this site more often. My homemade 'recipe' appears to be working for others too and it's worth a trial as, let's face it, we don't have too many options open to us.

Replied By Shirleyw (Uk) on 08/25/2016

Thank you Sandra, I started them last night with the dhea I will update next week. And thank you for posting as this alone will help people in The UKðŸ‘âï¸âï¸âï¸

Replied By Shirleyw (Uk) on 08/30/2016

thank you Sandra, I started them last night with the dhea I will update next week. And thank you for posting as this alone will help people in The UKðŸ‘âï¸âï¸âï¸

Replied By Walker (Tn / Usa) on 09/08/2016

I just found these "conversations" tonight on vaginal atrophy and I am amazed that more physicians aren't aware of this remedy. So many of you have nothing but praise for this solution. After reading all the comments, I have to try your method, Sandra ... just ordered the Carlsons Key E and some 25 mg DHEA capsules online from Amazon.

I can't wait to get my order and start making up my own remedy. Thank you so much sharing your discovery ... I'll keep you posted on my results; and hopefully that will be soon.

Replied By Christine (Uk) on 11/02/2016

This question is to Sandra from the UK. Could you please give me an update on how things are going. I have VA and the skin outside my vagina cuts after intercourse and is very painful. I am taking vagifem and an oral estrogen/progesterone and am suffering with sore breasts and headaches and it's not working very well. I mentioned DHEA to my doctor who said she had never heard of it and dismissed it. Also is it possible to just put the powder in the vagina without using the carlson capsules. How high up should it be put.

Replied By Laurie (Southport, Uk) on 11/06/2016

Sandra, your information is so helpful, thank you. I have just found this, and so went straight on to Amazon to order both the Carlsons and the Swanson DHEA, but neither of them are on there! I'm guessing they've been stopped for some reason. I will look to see if I can find them anywhere else in the UK (SO frustrating that the simple solution of a DHEA suppository isn't available to us here). In the meantime, if you read this, please would you advise where you are now sourcing them? Many thanks!

Replied By Christine (Uk) on 11/07/2016

Hi Laurie. I bought mine from Healthmonthly.co.uk Swanson 120 capsules 10mg for £4.68. I am just about to give them a go tomorrow. As we do not have the Carlsons I will try the cotton bud method with coconut oil suggested by Tommi.

Replied By Margaret (California ) on 01/28/2017

Thank you so much for all these helpful suggestions! So encouraging! If you can't find Carlson's, try melting a bit of coconut oil and adding a mg or so of the dhea powder (mix even amounts of the dhea to coconut oil)- (i.e. 1/2 tsp oil to 1 mg dhea powder) pour into ice cube tray freeze for an hour then pop em out for storage in baggie and use a couple times a week.

Replied By Isabelle (United Kingdom) on 03/09/2017

Hi Sandra

Thanks a lot for your testimony. I also live in the UK and I have the same problem, vaginal atrophy. I am very interested in the mix of Carlsons cube and the dhea 10mg.
Can you tell me if it's still working after a year please? Do you have any side effects? Where can I buy the carlson cubes? Does it also work for the libido? Many thanks for your help.

Replied By Barbara (Tn) on 04/12/2017

Walker! You don't have to go thru the hassle of using the vitamin e, you can order the DHEA suppositories and just use 1/2 a cube nightly for 12 nights and then just twice a week after. The people from UK can't get the suppositories. This is what I do.

Just an idea.

Replied By Allyd (Nyc Area) on 04/29/2017

I used to use suppositories for this purpose, but after talking with my compounder, he said you don't really need the suppository, if your situation is such that you can just insert a tablet (if you are too dry or your atrophy makes it difficult). If you are a point where you can still insert something small, you may not need the suppository, just a tablet.

I have purchased Douglas brand micronized DHEA tablets, 5 mg and 10 mg.

They are very tiny.

You can split the tablets if you want a dose other than 5 or 10.

I insert one, it dissolves BINGO. No mess. Sometimes a tiny little bit of discharge but invisible. No taste or odor to it.

If you need some help to insert it, you can use a bit of another vaginal suppository or natural oil like coconut or whatever agrees with your body, and perhaps a inserter like for an ovule or suppository.

If you read the research they based the doses on 3.25,6.5 and 13. 25 (or something similar), every day for one month and then tapering or intermittently. The best results were with the higher doses but the tiny increases in serum hormone levels were the highest there too, but all still within normal post-menopausal levels.

Earlier in perimenopause the 5 mg did fine for me, After a month, I reduced to a few times a week and ultimately then cut in half.

As I progressed tho, I needed a bit more and I redid the one month course of 10 mg, which I supplemented with a tiny bit of a DHEA cream for the vulva area, called Julva, to "add up" to 13.

The I started dropping to a few days a week. If I neglect it, I have to do the every day thing again for a while

But honestly with the tablet it is so unobtrusive that it is no big deal.

I tested my levels and they did in fact stay within normal limits. The Vaginal DHEA does NOT affect you like the topical or ingested one. It does its work near where you put it... just like you want it too!

Ladies this WORKS. I have adrenal fatigue so even tho my estrogen was not too low, none of the estrogenic effects got anywhere near where the "trouble" was. Adrenal deficiency or low DHEA can help explain why some women with the same estrogen levels could have dryness while others don't.

And if I am stressed out and my DHEA drops... sure enough my dryness increases and I up back to 10 for a while.

Julva is a cream by a doctor, search it online. I use some of that around the urethra for some Urinary tract issues and to supplement my tablets a little.

Good luck ladies. Once the FDA approves this I hope they don't take it all away from us and make us get costly prescriptions for it.

Because so far this is a miracle solution.

Replied By Lee (Nj) on 06/19/2017

Where do I get the suppositories?

Replied By Debbie (Usa) on 08/06/2017

I JUST STUMBLED ON YOUR COMMENTS FROM 2015 on using dhea cubes for vaginal dryness. I am 62 and have severe dryness and atrophy. I have tried all the Rxs my gynecologist prescribed but sex is painfull to the point that I get cuts or splits after sex. Could you please give me full detail on where you buy and exact name anddosage. How r u doing now. Any side effects. In desperate need. Thanks

Replied By Pam (Usa) on 08/10/2017

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had early menopause, am not sexually active, and am on an estrogen blocker post breast cancer. I had a Pap done yesterday and had to bite my tongue to keep from shouting from the pain. The doctor (new to me) could only suggest estrogen creme, which I can't use because of the breast cancer--and don't want to use anyway. I am in grateful tears learning that there is another solution.

Replied By Tt (Norristown, Pa) on 11/02/2017

Thanks to the ladies on this board regarding DHEA and using the 5 mg micronized tabs from Douglas Labs. I take one 5mg tab and cut it up into 4 tabs. I take the 1.25 tab with a little Replens, vaginally. Using DHEA vaginal 1.25 mg has improved my quality of life. I no longer have constant feeling of a UTI and no longer have constant vaginal burning. I had a hysterectomy (no ovaries left). The doctors had me on estrogen till I turned 45, and then would no longer px estrogen. They would not even px vagifem. However, I finally found one doctor that would px vagifem. Even with vagifem, I had horrible vaginal dryness, and a feeling of a constant UTI (even though I did not have a UTI) and vaginal atrophy. I just started DHEA vaginal in September and DHEA has improved my quality of life. I still have vaginal atrophy, but the feeling of UTI is gone and constant feeling of vaginal burning is gone. I have not had any side effects on this dose.

Please remember, everyone is different and what works for one person, may not work for another. Of course, one should first check with their doctor, if they are considering using this.

Replied By Potty (Melborne, Australia) on 12/21/2017

I feel deeply grateful for everyone who has contributed to this thread. In Australia we can't buy DHEA or import it. The only thing that I could find is a homeopathic 6X DHEA so after Xmas will buy some and insert it vaginally and see if it helps. I have thinning and bleed lightly because of this. I have started daily swabbing with coconut oil.

I have also had a ring inserted to correct a vaginal prolapse and it is amazing. Like I'm back to normal after years of having this thing hang out!!! The gyno put me on Vagifem but after 5 months I started to notice a lot of low level side effects -

I'm not sleeping properly and I'm getting night sweats. Also there seems to be a lowering of my immune system and an increase in my pain level – pain is no longer settling overnight ( I have significant degeneration in my lumbar spine). Possible itchy ears and at night face itches plus skin on face seems more blemished. Liver tenderness. I also seem to have low level depression and anxiety and am not as peaceful as I usually am and get thrown by things that usually wouldn't upset me to such a degree. It feels as though I have lost my vitality.

Replied By Sharon (London) on 05/26/2018

Hi Sandra

Thanks so much for your detailed information. I've order what I need and hope to start this in the next week. This conversation was start in 2016 and wonder how you've been going with it since then? Cheers, Sharon

Replied By Darlene (El Paso Tx) on 12/21/2018

Hi Allyd! I know my comment is coming to you almost a year after you posted but I've just found this thread and am so happy I did. I'm just curious to ask why you decided to start taking DHEA in perimenopause. I just ordered some DHEA micronized caps and after looking at all these comments, they appear to be from women post-menopause. My main symptom at this point is a constant burning sensation that I'm hoping will go away once I start the DHEA capsules. I also feel "thinner" down there already and I'm just 44! I'm hoping being proactive and starting now will help things before they get really bad. How long were you taking them in perimenopause before moving to the larger dose?

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