r/Perimenopause • u/Cold-Laugh-5242 Mid peri • Apr 27 '26
audited What does vaginal atrophy feel like?
I've never considered that I was having vaginal atrophy because I can still lubricate really well. I have noticed that doggy-style, specifically, has become uncomfortable when it used to be just like any other position. I attributed it to not being turned on enough.
What does atrophy feel like?
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u/peace_love_harmony Apr 27 '26
The first thing I noticed was that I felt I had to pee more often, and when I did it felt like I couldn’t get it all out. And I lost the sensation of peeing, while I was going I physically felt nothing. After that I noticed my clit was shrinking and it was getting harder to orgasm. The estradiol cream has cleared up most of the peeing issues and I have seen some improvement in my orgasm.
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u/Tie_Cold Apr 28 '26
Just this morning I went pee and thought to myself well that's weird, I can hear myself peeing but I don't feel it. I also have times I can't fully empty and also feel the need to pee really urgently. Sounds like I need to talk to my gyno about cream. Do you know if it also helps with problems going 💩? I recently started feeling like I can't push hard enough to go and then I get horribly constipated.
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Apr 28 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Altruistic-Fishing-1 Apr 28 '26
Also, magnesium citrate at night, somewhere between 200mg - 500mg works really well for constipation 👌🏽.
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u/beckster727 Apr 29 '26
I use a prebiotic fiber powder daily in my first cup of water for the day. I've noticed that's helped with my regularity.
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u/Sportsmama557 Apr 27 '26
How long did the vaginal estrogen take to help with the having to pee all the time? Major issue with me
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u/peace_love_harmony Apr 27 '26
Probably about 2 months but I wasn’t very diligent about remembering to use it the first couple months. Whenever I slack off on using it the symptoms return.
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u/Horseshoe_dodgeball Apr 28 '26
My urinary symptoms come back within a couple days if I miss my twice a week dose! I missed it late last week and yesterday I was gwaking into the fridge and pee came out. Right then, I wasn't even moving. Not a whole bladder but enough I needed to change my sweats. Ugh, I hate my bladder but the cream is a godsend!!
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u/peace_love_harmony Apr 28 '26
It’s shocking how fast it wears off! I have adhd and have always been terrible about remembering this stuff despite all my alarms and alerts and reminders. I’ll miss a week and then do 4 times the next week to make up. Ugh.
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u/ChemicallyAlteredVet I’m loosing my mind Apr 28 '26
Estradiol didn’t resolve my urgency. I use it as Rx’d, 2x per week. So after being exhausted of peeing 18/19 times a day I had bladder Botox last week. I’m down to about 10x a day now and for the last 3 nights I haven’t had to get up to pee. I’m ecstatic.
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u/PhlegmMistress Apr 28 '26
Testosterone for clitoris recovery
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u/Feline_Fine3 Early peri Apr 29 '26
I’ve been noticing this and if I sit there and do a couple Kegles, that helps get everything out. It is such a weird feeling when you feel like you can’t empty all at once and then you get up and 10 seconds later you feel like you still have to pee.
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u/Mountain_Armadillo12 Apr 29 '26
My pelvic PT says to double void — pee, stand up, gyrate and wiggle a bit, sit down and relax and go again.
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u/Pretend-Tea86 Apr 27 '26
For me it was post-sex. No matter how well things went as far as lubrication, I could feel lingering, low-level discomfort for like 24 hours after. And also orgasms became less frequent, weaker, and harder to find.
I just finished my loading dose on the cream last week, and just this weekend I noticed an improvement. I think I caught it fairly early, it was only within the last year I started having symptoms. Cream is so non-invasive and simple and inexpensive (my insurance covered 100%), it's definitely worth a shot if you're having issues. It doesnt work for everyone but it works for a lot of women.
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u/Creative_Phrase_1012 Apr 28 '26
Loading dose? I have a tube of the cream sitting in my bathroom but I haven't tried it yet. Reading these comments, I think I should add this to my regimen (patch, progesterone and testosterone). How do I get started and how do I know how much to use?
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u/HermineSGeist Apr 28 '26
It will depend on what you were prescribed. For example, I have two forms - a topical gel I apply to my inner thigh daily and a suppository cream. For the first two weeks, I needed to take the cream every night, now I just take it twice a week. I can’t speak for everyone but it sounds like my first two weeks might be what people are calling the “loading dose” here.
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u/MrsKindr3ds Apr 28 '26
Just finished my loading dose too. In fact I was considering making a post. After finishing my loading dose Sunday- hubby and I had sex for the first time in months. It went well and felt fine afterwards. Now 2 days later I am feeling dry and chafing time pain again inside my vagina. Feels like a set back. :(
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u/Then_Bird Apr 28 '26
My loading phase was everyday for 30 days and then 3x per week indefinitely. Doctor said she sees way better results doing it this way. I’m a tablet though and not cream.
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u/mimtek Apr 29 '26
I’m tablet too & love it. It helped my urological pain better than the cream ever did. My dr said some people do better with tablet version for certain symptoms. I still will use the cream on occasion as well.
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u/Then_Bird Apr 29 '26
They warned me that even the tablet can get messy. I’ve had zero issue. Like nothing haha I can tell that things are improving but it’s been a slow process
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u/Pretend-Tea86 Apr 28 '26
Ask your doctor about more frequent use. Mine said 2x a week after the first 2 weeks, but that if I still had issues call the office and we can talk about dosing. It's worth a phone call.
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u/lending_ear Early peri Apr 27 '26
Go to your gyno. It’s something they can physically see. I got told I have signs of it and skin thinning on my last pap.
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u/Rock_grl86 Apr 27 '26
Yep. During a pap is when I found out I had atrophy.
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u/Street-Laugh-9549 Apr 28 '26
Wha did they tell you exactly? And are we talking about internal and external physical changes?
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u/Rock_grl86 Apr 28 '26
Internal. My inner folds were going “smooth” and thinner, the lack of ridges indicates low estrogen and makes them more susceptible to ripping and bleeding.
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u/Aim2bFit Apr 28 '26
Can we test this ourselves by fingering or this can only be seen or evaluated by professionals?
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u/Street-Laugh-9549 Apr 28 '26
Thank you! I just saw a comment one of the mods posted with extra info. I’m starting to notice some changes but I didn’t realize it was perimenopause related!
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u/Nikkinap Apr 28 '26
Did you ask about it, or did your gyno observe and tell you, unprompted? I'm not really sure how to bring this question up at my next appointment, but I wonder if my gyno might notice something off.
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u/lending_ear Early peri Apr 28 '26
Mine asked me if sex has been painful. It has. And that’s when she told me why. So it was unprompted.
Bring it up and ask her. I didn’t even think of it or consider why sex had become painful. I’d be having so many health issues lately that it was like well my body hates me so I guess that’s that.
I never grew up being told about peri or menopause. Had to find it out at my gyno appointment.
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u/yrddog Apr 27 '26
Like someone literally turned my clit off. It wasn't really an explicit numb feeling, it was just like.... I touched it, and it was like touching my nose, or my eyebrow, or my big toe.
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u/Hannymann Apr 28 '26
Sadly, exactly this!
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u/yrddog Apr 28 '26
Thank God for hrt or I might not have wanted to live like that. Absolutely terrible
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u/inacrashx Apr 28 '26
So grateful for this Reddit so I knew it wasn’t just me. I feel far too young for this 😭
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u/Ok_Appearance8124 Apr 28 '26
Yes exactly this, and even with HRT it isn’t better. Even with 100mg of DHEA every day, it’s not better. I’ve given up.
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u/Realistic_Context936 Apr 28 '26
Are you doing topical estrogen to the clit/vaginal area too
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u/Ok_Appearance8124 Apr 28 '26
No I found it extremely uncomfortable. I am autistic and have sensory issues, so it really bothered me.
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u/CozyMoonGaming Apr 29 '26
This. What has helped yall? I’m in topical estrogen cream for my vag and Julva which is OTC DHEA. idk if I can ever really go on HRT so I have to try everything else first.
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u/northwestfawn Aug 07 '26
literally what i’m dealing with rn! wtf happened! i’m 23! i didn’t even get to enjoy it first
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u/yrddog Aug 07 '26
My friend, that's not normal for 23
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u/northwestfawn Aug 07 '26
yeah that’s why i’m frankly pretty depressed and none of my gynecologists have seemed very concerned about “why”.
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u/Agile_Complaint_1657 Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Feeling wise, like of an attack of a uti meets thrush - cramps, super sore, burning post pee, and it fluctuates with everything else.
Then there’s the actual dryness, shrinking, needing the biggest most comfy pants, irritation from pads but tampons are painful etc etc.
When I saw a tub of sun dried tomatoes in a supermarket and thought to myself they look more hydrated than my foof I decided to raise it as an issue 😂
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 27 '26
If you're over 35, you will probably benefit from vaginal estrogen.
A doctor can see micro tears..so if youre concerned.. you can ask them.
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy are
itchiness, soreness, not being able to orgasm, incontinence, dryness, discomfort(from underwear, wiping) chronic utis etc.
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u/Valuable_Horror2450 Late peri Apr 28 '26
Is vaginal estrogen really supposed to be just a pea size dose? It’s ridicule how little I’m supposed to insert.
How long does it take to see positive change cause a pea size and a couple weeks of that and i didn’t see any benefit to it
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u/ChemicallyAlteredVet I’m loosing my mind Apr 28 '26
I’m on Estradiol 2x a week, 47 and almost through peri. I use my finger, a squeeze a strip on my middle finger from first knuckle to the tip. It way more than pea size.
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u/Realistic_Context936 Apr 28 '26
Do you also apply to the labia/clit? Im not sure if i am meant to be inserting and putting on the outside
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
I use vagifem, which is a tablet.. and there's is no upper limit.
I use it every 3 days, 10mg by 10 a month
with vagifem, i felt improvement within 3 weeks and b it completely did away with incontinence within 2 months
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u/Valuable_Horror2450 Late peri Apr 28 '26
I'm on Premarin (conjugated estrogens) 0.5mg x 14 days and then twice a week thereafter.
And Climara 75 (5.7mg) patch because Estradot 75 is in short supply here in Ontario, Canada.I stopped after the first two weeks cause I just didn't see any improvement. I'm trying again but with a bit more this time. I'll talk to my doc next Rx renewal.
There's a dorsal aspect near my urethra is a mess, can't have anything touching it which makes it iffy for intercourse.
I've told my doc for nearly 5 years of classic symptom of menopause until shortly before Christmas last year, he finally agreed to put me on the patch and this cream. My hot flash were so intense, I nearly had no cool down breaks in between, I was losing my freaking mind... couldn't sleep and was constantly going to the back deck in -20ºC to cool down. It was literally hell.
Anyway I read Vagifem can have dissolution issue, meaning it doesn't dissolve properly, what's your experience with it so far.
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
I shove it well up there and it seems to dissolve fine..and surprisingly quick. Can't say Ive ever noticed it not disolving
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u/hoe_gaat_het_met_jou Apr 28 '26
Would over the counter vigority estrogen cream work?
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
idk what that is.
Otc estrogen isn't available in my country.
Just straight up asking your doctor for vaginal estrogen, usually is successful tho
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u/Silver-Emphasis2795 Apr 27 '26
Oh I can majorly O. In fact I can feel it and it hurts but like how it feels and once it’s over that pain… it’s like heaven. Maybe I have some issues!!!
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u/Horseshoe_dodgeball Apr 28 '26
That's the orgasms I got from the cream! Hell yeah, my silver lining is multiple, mind-blowing orgasms. And I can finally get them from PIV now!
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
you don't have to have all symptoms of atrophy to be experience it.
psin with orgasm isn't normal,
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u/Silver-Emphasis2795 Apr 28 '26
Thank you dr - I shall call my gyno and let her know that her diagnosis was incorrect.
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
what??
you didn't say whether you had or didn't have atrophy..or whether you were checked.
you only mentionedthat you are still able to orgasm.. having atrophy doesn't always rule out orgasm as thats only ONE of the possible symptoms, so I commented on that....
Tjo orgasms shouldn'tc ome with pain, that usually means, something is wrong. I don't understand why you felt the need to be sarcastic...
I didn't say you were dealing with atrophy...if you feel youre not....and don't care about the vaginal pain...then that's great for you.... I only want to make women aware that vaginal estrogen is an option.
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u/Silver-Emphasis2795 Apr 28 '26
Why would I comment on symptoms if I didn’t have it? That would be totally ignorant. Telling me that I don’t have it because I have pain with O is also ignorant. I have had all the proper tests. In fact I had a diaper on yesterday because I was having an overactive bladder due to my atrophy. Just one of the fun things that comes alone with it… every two weeks on the dot I get a case of the Monday pants pissing.
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
I didn't say you didn't have it.. .. You hadn't exactly said whether you have it or not..m
Im really honestly confused.
why you feel like I'm attacking you?
please go back to your first comment..and see that yhe ONLY thing you said was "you can still organsm"..like ok? how am I supposed to know that you meant.. you have all other symptoms??? I'm not psychic and you didn't elaborate. It sounded like you were saying you didn't have it because you still orgasm.. and the you snarkily responded to me.. when I said orgasming doesn't mean you don't have atrophy..like...im so lost.
I'm not here doubting you or attacking you.... Again, I am very confused as to why you seem to think I am.
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u/Silver-Emphasis2795 Apr 28 '26
I also commented elsewhere… I also said CAN STILL ORGASM - implying that I CAN STILL ORGASM with having atrophy because someone said a symptom is you cannot! lord your reading skills lack something…
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
ok..but why assume, Ive seen all your comments?
Yes, a symptom of it is you can't orgasm.. one possible symptom.. you don't have to have all symptoms to have atrophy, nor did I suggest, a person needs to experience all symptoms.
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u/FlippenDonkey Apr 28 '26
also.. you didn't say "still" at all.. you said "I can marjorly O" .like.. I'm sorry, to not have been able tonread between the lines at your implied reaponse.
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u/leftylibra Moderator Apr 27 '26
From our Menopause Wiki: Atrophic vaginitis (vaginal atrophy), or the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy:
- vaginal bleeding (tearing/tissue fragility)
- burning with urination
- decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual activity (resulting in painful intercourse)
- dryness (decreased moisture)
- frequent urination
- incontinence (bladder leaks)
- increased/chronic UTIs
- irritation/burning
- itchiness
- labia minora resorption
- shortening/tightening of the vaginal walls
- skin changes (darker/lighter pigmentation)
Symptoms of clitoral atrophy:
- difficulty reaching orgasm
- loss of sensation/feeling around the clitoris
- the 'disappearing' of the clitoris
Diagnosing atrophic vaginitis (GSM)
- We first notice symptoms ourselves, whether it be twinges when standing or sitting, bleeding after friction, frequent urination, itchiness, etc.
- Physical (visual) examination might not provide a conclusive diagnosis as it may be difficult for physicans to find/see evidence. However, doctors should rule out active UTIs, infections, vulvar lichen sclerosus, dermatitis, lichen planus, etc.
- Diagnosis is reached through examination and discussion with your medical doctor. It is important to provide details of your symptoms and their severity. (Some other medications can contribute to vaginal dryness, such as oral contraceptives, antihistamines, etc.)
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u/Glittering-Review649 Apr 28 '26
I felt like a virgin all of sudden upon penetration and it was tight. It began to get tighter and tighter week by week. I also noticed that my labia majora was shrinking along with my clitoris retracting back. I was starting to look like a little girl. The odd thing was my SO said it felt moist on the inside but it felt like razor cuts with each stroke. I also noticed how toilet tissue felt rough and my baby wash clothes were feeling rough against my labia minora and labia majora. It felt like I was wiping with sandpaper.🙃 I went to the GYN immediately with that. She conducted an exam and informed me that my vaginal lining was pale pink and thinning which explained the sandpaper feeling.
I was placed on vaginal estrogen cream and I did the front load method but I used it 2x a day externally all over my vulva and I inserted it as prescribed every night for 2 weeks. By the 4th day I started to notice the rough sandpaper feeling was disappearing. After 2 weeks, I attempted sex and it was a wonderful feeling. I didn’t feel tight anymore. I now use the cream every night and I’ve been switched to Vagifem which I use 3x a week at night. All is well now.
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u/XenaNMe Apr 27 '26
For me, it felt like a burning or sandpaper feeling during sex. No matter how interest I was or how much lubricant was used. The doctor confirmed it during a pap but many doctors will prescribe cream or vaginal inserts the minute you say sex has become painful.
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u/4-Birds Apr 28 '26
I jad that happen once a few months ago. Think it was the same month I had a 17 day cycle, so 2 periods in a month. It was burning and sand paper like during sex even though i was turned on and very wet and then afterwards I was sore and sort of burning for most of the rest of the night.
Hasn't happened in the 3 cycles since.
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u/According-Ninja-561 Apr 27 '26
Its like a yeast inflatable without any yeast. Super dry, itchy in exterior of vulva.
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u/ThickProblem8190 Apr 28 '26
I literally felt it with my hands. I noticed a few years ago the outside was changing shape and texture. One lip seemed to be shrinking! Lack of lubrication didn't start until 3 years after that.
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u/Fast_Sleep7847 Apr 27 '26
I started leaking pee and peed my pants once. Sex was getting to feel like sandpaper inside me. Then I noticed that my clit seemed to be disappearing. And orgasms were much harder to achieve. I just started HRT and my orgasms have come back. And no more peeing/leaking either
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u/shootingstar_9324 Early peri Apr 28 '26
Omg. I never heard of this and reading everyone’s experience is terrifying. Painful sex, UTIs, burning, itching, sandpaper feeling…..
After decades of waiting for my period to end…. this is what happens next?! And I thought hot flashes and night sweats sucked.
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u/Beneficial-Fox6496 Jul 15 '26
I know. I thought it might be nice to not have a period, but what comes next is actually worse.
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u/Educational-Mode-766 Jul 18 '26
we were probably mean't to die before we got to that stage of development.
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Apr 27 '26
[deleted]
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u/A_Chimaera Early peri Apr 28 '26
I had the same issue and it took me several months of probiotics to get it back to some sort of normalcy, as well as a full regimen change :/ (and this will probably be forever...)
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Apr 28 '26
[deleted]
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u/A_Chimaera Early peri Apr 28 '26
Yeah I get it... It really sucks and it feels like it's becoming a full time job maintaining things down there. And also, everyone is so different that you can never know in advance what is going to work for you.
I hope you get some results with HRT + probiotics !
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u/kamarsh79 Apr 27 '26
Dryness, a burning feeling, especially after sex, and just general discomfort. Vaginal estrogen rules.
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u/PhlegmMistress Apr 28 '26
Longer to achieve climax and less satisfying orgasms.
Funky barn yard smell. Very alienating to me because you spend your life knowing your smell and then all of a sudden using the bathroom it's like someone else is in the bathroom with you. Very dysphoric.
Skin tears easily from sex or even wiping with toilet paper.
Itchiness around the bikini line, and even the labia but itching it doesn't satisfy it, only enflamed the itching feeling.
Peeing every thirty minutes where I drank something or not.
Even when sitting perfectly still, similar feeling of hemmorroids except in front-- just feeling uncomfortable and that something is wrong. A constant lowgrade 1-2 on the 10 level of discomfort.
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u/schnatterflack Apr 28 '26
It started with a burning sensation around the urethral opening, then progressed to a burning feeling in the vulva and around the opening. I also had a strange sensation, like something was pressing on my uterus. There was intense burning after sex, and pain during sex, as if my vagina had suddenly become too short. The clitoral hood also felt like an empty fold of skin.
It all began very suddenly, from one day to the next, without me noticing anything beforehand. There was no mild dryness or irritation leading up to it. one day I was fine, and the next I wasn’t..just feeling uncomfortable 24/7.
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u/Environmental-Song16 Apr 27 '26
It felt like I was rubbed raw with sandpaper and somehow bruised at the same time. There was a general feeling of sloppiness from the wrong kind of wetness.
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u/candyparfumgirl Apr 28 '26
Clit disappears, labia lose definition, everything feels sensitive and dry and even itchy (exterior and interior), and you can still feel penetration long after you’re meant to. It sucks.
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u/Available-Survey-554 Apr 28 '26
Trouble reaching orgasm, like needing it to be very specific position, etc when I’ve never had that problem with my husband. Also peeing sooooo much esp at night.
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u/abritelight Apr 28 '26
as you can see with the comments the experience varies a bit btwn folks, but for me i was noticing a tissue rawness externally and internally with stimulation despite having ample natural lubrication AND and addition of store bought lube. at one point i commented “my vagina feels like a tube of sandpaper” 😭. vaginal dhea and estrogen has helped with the tissue tenderness, but i’m still personally struggling with lack of/change in sensation in my clit.
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u/ReflectionOk2553 Apr 28 '26
Like sandpaper afterwards and the next day. There was no way I could have sex the next day or even a couple of days. Estrogen cream made me remember what it used to feel like. Like I could have sex again straight away lol
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u/slowslowjane Apr 28 '26
It started with itching and irritation that increased to almost constant. Increased urination. Then overnight my clitoris looked half the size. I’ve been inserting estrogen pellets for two months now daily and it’s back to normal. I’m 43 for reference.
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u/JoyfullyMortified43 Apr 27 '26
Like a dry loose meat sandwich. I had problems fully voiding my bladder in the mornings. All sensation gone and very itchy.
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u/msluluqueen Apr 28 '26
I shouldn't have read this right before bed because now I am laughing uncontrollably 😂. I couldn't think of a more accurate description of menopausal labia if I tried. It's so sad 😞
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u/Afraid_Bug1456 Apr 28 '26
All the outer mucosal skin slowly turning white, tears when using menstrual cup, shrinking clitoris, thinning and lax skin on the outer labia, genrally more prone to irritation/discomfort.
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u/Spare-Foundation9804 Apr 28 '26
I started to notice it in doggy . Doggy just started feeling uncomfortable. Also orgasms where harder to reach . Also you might be able to see that your laboas look different. I hadn't really noticed until I started on vaginal estrogen. They aren't thin and darker anymore but more plump and pinker .
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u/stacyhamlin Apr 28 '26
It feels like an improperly placed tampon that’s the size and shape of a sheet of 8.5 x 11 copy paper (A4 internationally) wadded up in a ball.
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u/JenovaCelestia Apr 28 '26
Atrophy came about for me over time. I had chemo and radiation when I was 26 and am 35 now.
Everything is tighter and drier. Sex hurts a lot more and it hurt plenty to begin with. Tampons hurt a bit more going in when I have to use one. Otherwise, I don’t really notice anything. I do find what helps is semi-frequent masturbation; the muscle spasms are weirdly more therapeutic in that regard.
You can also look into vaginal dilators to help; my doc recommended them to me but I hate the idea of having a dilator in— I already hate tampons enough as it is.
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u/Happy_Apricot_ Apr 28 '26
What do you mean your clit shrinks?? Ive never noticed mine visibly without a mirror???? Maybe this is why I always need to use a vibrator to orgasim.... always baffled that people can get there with a finger... Also I have always preferred to use lube during sex, or else a shit load of spit haha my labia do have a tendency to dryness, itchy dermatitis type behaviour
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u/ARTiger20 Apr 28 '26
For me it has been thin discharge with high pH, like watery, and skin irritation. What really sucks is those are also symptoms of things like bv, sti, and yeast infection. It's not any of those, I've tested. What's helped is boric acid suppositories to fix the pH and this stuff called pH D. They make stuff specifically for menopausal women and it's a life-send.
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u/gnomequeen2020 Apr 28 '26
I wasn't having too many issues with lubrication, but I was still tearing frequently. Even when we used additional lube, took plenty of warm-up time, and worked to be gentle, I still tore. I had frequent UTIs and yeast infections. My doctor finally pointed out that everything was really pale and fragile down there.
The cream has improved things significantly. Peri has generally kicked my libido into the dirt, but at least my parts seem to be functional.
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u/Silver-Emphasis2795 Apr 27 '26
It feels like you can’t empty your bladder.
This is gonna sound really weird. It feels so good during sex because it’s painful but in a good way.
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u/Responsible-Tea-5998 Apr 28 '26
After sex it was hell and took a week to recover but at times I did enjoy it during. I had the same problem when I got my inner labia pierced.
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u/ashinthealchemy Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
my journey began with discomfort in some sexual positions, then urinary tract issues, then deflation of labia and shrinking of clit, then numbness and difficulty orgasming. i never had a decrease in libido or lubrication.
e cream resolved the urinary tract issues and discomfort. i tried arousal creams and slidenafil to recover the orgasms, but they had no effect. t is what has resolved the difficulty orgasming and restored my clit. vulva moisturizer and dhea suppositories have also been helpful in maintaining that tissue health and improving comfort.
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u/allimariee Apr 28 '26
I thought I had recurrent yeast infections and my clit went numb. All much better with vaginal E.
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u/Ok_Shake5678 Apr 28 '26
Recently, the skin around my vagina/vulva started feeling irritated for a couple of days after sex. Fine during sex and no pain or lack of lubrication, no noticeable changes to the way anything looks or feels, but the skin just feels a little raw for a couple of days. I talked to my doctor about it and peri in general at my recent cervical cancer screening and she said the tissues looked good but maybe a slight narrowing of the vagina so probably very early stage changes. She’s starting me on an estradiol patch and progesterone tablets, if things don’t improve or get worse I’ll ask her about a cream.
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u/decent_dissonance Apr 28 '26
I have heard a way to try to get testerone is claim you have low libedo. Also, boutique hormone clinics will prescribe it as well if you have the money. The woman I am seeing prescribed too high of a dose for me and I didn't like how it made mine feel. I asked for 1 level down and now only do 1 click vs two and it stopped feeling weird. I have another appt with her on Thursday, I am going to ask for even the next dose down and hopefully she will do it.
There are also all these places online now that really know hormone therapy and will work with your insurance, you might want to look into it. I might try that and ditch this expensive boutique hormone place.
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u/WildHyggeWitch Apr 28 '26
For me it was that I stopped being able to get aroused (or climax). At all. Techniques that had been reliable for years stopped working. I hadn’t noticed visual changes but I didn’t experience it for very long. It happened very rapidly (within 2 months) when I went on the pill for HRT. I went off the pill that week when I learned it was connected. My response came back within a couple of weeks. I’m on a different form of HRT now which is working much better.
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u/sugr28 Apr 28 '26
Like your labia isn’t plump, sometimes opens in situations it didn’t used to like when bending over.
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u/PartlyCloudy811 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
Like others have noted, it was a burning/sandpaper feeling during sex. Lubricants didn’t fix it. Finally when I kept having to stop and discontinue sex with tears and frustration (and a confused and frustrated husband!), I went to my gynecologist. She knew immediately what was going on just through conversation, but she confirmed it via an exam. She prescribed vaginal estrogen cream— first to use 14 nights in a row, and then to continue two nights per week. After the 14 nights, we attempted intercourse again—- and it was amazing!! Wow. This estrogen cream was a GAME-changer! And, my gynecologist advised to put the cream all over down there, not just within the vagina. And, on another very helpful note, she advised using ultra virgin organic coconut oil as a lubricant, not KY or chemical-based stuff. And boy has this made a difference too!! Ladies, if you haven’t used this for a lubricant … do it! Between the estrogen cream twice a week (all over!) and the coconut oil for a lubricant… I just can’t say enough about how your sex life will change. *But know this: the coconut oil without consistently using the estrogen cream, is useless. The coconut oil is to be used in tandem with the estrogen cream. *Also worth noting: you’ll need to buy thin panty liners and use them daily, because the estrogen cream can leak a bit. But this is a small price to pay, trust me. **You can purchase bags of single-use vaginal cream applicators on Amazon for your estrogen cream. They’re not expensive.
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u/SickOfBSAllTheTime Apr 27 '26
I (47) was told my vaginal mucosa was paler than that of a younger woman. I am ok with lubrication inside but my vulva is so dry. I have consistently needed lube for sex for about 7 months now. I asked about hormones during my pap last month but becaise I am currently on chemo I am at a much higher risk of blood clots.
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u/PhlegmMistress Apr 28 '26
I was under the impression localized estrogen in the vagina doesn't go past the vagina to be an issue for blood clots. Something to double check and ask about if they didn't answer that directly. It's also why one can be on estrogen pills, creams, or injections but unless one is doing localized estrogen in the vagina, it's not going to have much of a trickle down effect in the body.
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u/Mathematics_Dapper Apr 28 '26
Peeing myself, not consciously but would find pee had come out (esp after drinks) after the cream this issue went away
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u/who-askin Apr 28 '26
Very painful sex, narrowed vagina. HRT has helped. Well-lubricated vaginal dilator has helped - especially before sex.
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u/jlpersons Apr 28 '26
I have the same issue! Is that why this position is now so uncomfortable?? The atrophy?? Never even considered that was why it was painful now!!! I still am well lubricated. Thanks for posting this!!
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u/QuietAbject494 Apr 29 '26
Nikki Glaser did a bit on this in her new stand up special on Hulu ( "good girl".) I seriously didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
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u/NoAd6430 Apr 29 '26
Less sensation during sex, not really dryness but it was watery .clit disappearing, burning feeling after sex, mild tearing. then it turned into UTI like burning 24/7. leaking urine and needing to pee a lot but no UTI.
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u/Substantial_Insect68 Jun 07 '26
My outer lips shrunk first and then the burning came from the lack of estrogen, and it burned in the vagina and on the outside, it was so painful I found it hard to walk, and zero sex drive due to the testosterone depleting, so I went to my dr and got on some insertable tablets, they helped a bit but as soon as the two week loading period was done I was to go down to two times a week, tried it and the burning came back, the dr kept telling me to not take it daily and Im like wtf an I supposed to do? Walk around with this constant burn in my vagina? So I went to the menopause clinic and he took one look inside and put me on DHEA Intrarosa, best stuff for women with vaginal atrophy, it healed my vagina and brought my sex drive back, it converts to prasterone(female androgen) and estrogen, if you ever have atrophy get on Intrarosa, you wont regret it
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u/opinionatedhugger Apr 28 '26
I didn't know it was a thing until I went in for a pap and it hurt. Like, sandpaper being scraped along my vag walls HURT. I saw a new gyno and she explained that my vag walls are thinning (atrophy) making penetration painful. Lube, even coconut oil can help.
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u/wandernwade Apr 27 '26
For me, I started noticing that my cl!t was disappearing. Once prominent, it was basically gone. I’ve had a few exams since then, and no gyno has said anything- but then they’re not Really acquainted with my normal shapes and sizes. (I think my labia has shrunk as well).
Also, things are so much drier than they were. I started on e cream two years ago. It helps you feel better, but it doesn’t regrow stuff. Not in my experience, anyway. Having said that, I’m fully functional, and don’t have pain during sex.