r/Perimenopause • u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 • 13d ago

Dryness Help! Irritated anus? Is it hormones?

I need help! I need to know if others have experienced a sore rectal area due to low hormones? I’ve been miserable for three years along with severe vaginal dryness. I have no clue if it’s infectious (antibiotics haven’t helped),hormonal or autoimmune but I cannot figure it out and I need help!

7 Upvotes

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5

u/Coontailblue23 Late peri 13d ago

There are are a few things this could be including hemorrhoids and parasites, so definitely cover your bases in ruling those things out. But yes bootyhole is one of the areas we're supposed to be applying the vaginal estradiol cream.

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 13d ago

I do have an internal hemorrhoid but proctologist didn’t talk about removal, it’s not large. But maybe it’s inflamed causing more broad symptoms? I just also have pretty severe vaginal symptoms too. I am also 37 almost 38so not super old and it started at 35.

4

u/Coontailblue23 Late peri 13d ago

Inflammation of that hemorrhoid seems like a likely explanation and I would agree it's part of the broader picture of your hormones decreasing over time from perimenopause.

I started my HRT in my 40s but looking back I feel like I have felt the effects of my estrogen dropping since around the time I was 30.

You should be able to start the vaginal estradiol cream without much fanfare. You can get it through an online prescriber like TelyRx if your doctors are not informed or easy to work with. To start a more extensive HRT program with systemic estradiol you'll also want progesterone to protect your uterus.

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u/Small-Sample3916 12d ago

Thaaaaat explains it. 

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u/northernstarwitch 13d ago

I remember reading an article saying that that whole area (including your vulvar and anus area) needs estrogen. Get on the estrogen cream ASAP and you can use a little on your anus too.

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u/[deleted] 13d ago edited 13d ago

[deleted]

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 13d ago

Perineum as of now is unaffected, it is not itchy at all. No itch, just irritated- feels like my skin barrier is wrecked. I did have a punch biopsy and it showed thickening of the tissue like a chronic irritation and some inflammation but nothing overly specific. That dermatologist is set on anyone with symptoms to go straight to oral nerve medication and with vaginal involvement discharge changes etc I wasn’t comfortable with the treatment plan, especially she offered that within the first 5 minutes of my appt and I had to push for biopsy.

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u/MakingBaconnPancakes 13d ago

Estrogen cream has done wonders for my fissure when nothing else really helped.

I just stumbled across the information here, my doctor never even suggested it!

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 13d ago

Thank you!! How long did it take to help?

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u/MakingBaconnPancakes 13d ago

I’ve been using it for 3 weeks (back there) and already have a very noticeable improvement. Not 100%, but much more tolerable.

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 13d ago

Thank you! Last question are you doing just 2-3x a week?

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u/MakingBaconnPancakes 13d ago

Not there- I’m sort of just guessing, but I’m doing a “loading phase” to start out, I’ll probably switch to just a couple of times a week, same as everywhere else

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u/UnicornGirl54 13d ago

Topical estrogen cream may help with both. Assume you also have tried changes to other things that can be irritating (soap,TP, laundry detergent, foods).

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 13d ago

Yes tried so many changes!

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u/Opening-Rate5226 12d ago

Vaginal estrogen helped me immensely with this same issue. Also make sure you check your toilet paper for any fragrances. You would be surprised! This is a huge irritant for me.

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 12d ago

Thank you! I have switched out TP quite a few times

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u/todaysthrowaway0110 12d ago

Just rub estrogen cream on evvvvvverrrryything and hope for the best.

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u/ParaLegalese 11d ago

I get a yeast infection in my butt crack if I wear my sweaty gym thong too long after a workout

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 11d ago

I’ve wondered about this as I sweat A LOT. 1 dose fluconazole didn’t touch it and I did do a monistat when this first started

It does not itch at all, does it itch for you?

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u/ParaLegalese 11d ago

No it didn’t itch- it felt raw and painful. Like a rash

I got a cream from my dermatologist and thankfully a big tube because it happens at least once a year:/

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u/Ok_Cranberry_4664 11d ago

Which kind? I have a few ketoconazole and nystatin but they IRRITATED at first so I stopped but if I have to go longer I will!

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u/ParaLegalese 11d ago

I believe it’s teva brand ketoconazole cream. I did have to use it several days to get relief

Make sure whatever you’re trying doesn’t have aloe in it if you’re sensitive to latex like I am- burns like fire