vaginal dryness

HomeMom

I just bought Replens, so you have to use it every day? I don't have daily discomfort, just real pain during intercourse. If so, I'll get with the program!

amylsp

HomeMom, I think some women start out using it every night for a few weeks than every 2nd or 3rd night as maintenance. That's what I did, except I use Luvena instead of Replens. That, in itself though, is not enough for me. Right before intercourse, I use a combination of things - lots of lube (I use sliquid and coconut oil) and a vaginal dilator to 'pre' stretch the tissue and get it ready for penetration. This works great for me and has almost totally eliminated pain during sex. Any discomfort that sometimes remains can be addressed with a small dab of lidacaine cream right at the entrance. Just experiment with all the options and see what works well for you.

HomeMom

Has anyone experienced recuring UTI's because of dryness? I've not experienced UTI's much in my life, with the last one being about 10 years ago. Now I'm having my 3rd one in the past year. I see online it can be related to vaginal dryness.

exercise_guru

yes it can be a major problem for a lot of us. I have a daughter who was on a very low dose of a prophylctic dose of bactrum antibiotics for 3 years. In her case we were able to significantly increase her fiber intake so her stools were like soft ice cream. This and having her watch her hygeine helped quite a bit.

I also read something about cross contamination from chicken causing UTI so I changed how we strored and prepared it making sure not to rinse it in the kitchen sink and to keep a bag around the package.

Now since I hve been forced into menopause I have gotten UTI''s . I use estace cream that is compounded in a pharmacy. My obgyn prescribed it. It is supposed to be safe for breast cancer survivors.

My MO obgyn suggested using olive oil on that area to maintain elasticity and prevent abrasion.I can't stand the smell so I use coconut oil and that has helped quite a bit.

I also changed my undergarments to the least chaffing most breathable I could find.

I also consume cranberries,cranberrie juice and drink lemon tea and a lot of fluids

So far all the things above have helped I haven't had a UTI for the past year.

HomeMom

exercise - thanks for your response, it's very helpful. I've been drinking a lot of water lately given that i'ts summer and I'm on this diet that requires a ton of water. So I'm used to that. What is the estace cream? If you use coconut oil in the area, is that for at night or something? I've seen several types of "probiotic supplements" that are supposed to help the urinary tract. Are you not taking any of those?