His and Her Health

I'm 51 and post-menopausal. My biggest challenge sexually is that I can no longer have intercourse because it's too painful. I am currently using a vaginal cream topically every night and a vaginal tablet twice a week, without any real results. I can still have orgasms, and although my libido is low, I can work at it. Any suggestions?<P>------------------<BR>

It may be helpful to go back to your doctor and be very clear as to the nature of your sexual concerns. You would also likely benefit from getting a second opinion. Your doctor may want to check to see if you have a cut or fissure near your vaginal opening that could be causing pain and irritation with intercourse. Sometimes, just being sexually inactive for a while causes painful intercourse and, being patient and taking time and, becoming more sexually active will improve the problem. There may also be a possibility that your vaginal opening might have narrowed, or a condition where the vulvar skin around the vagina has a problem, called vulvar dystrophy. Or there may be a problem within the pelvis. Good communication with your doctor and an openness is needed, as well as a thorough exam. Hope this helps.

Most likely you are experiencing "atrophic vaginitis" - thinning of the vaginal mucosa because of lack of estrogen. It is possible to use one of several different estrogen product in the vagina to help the atrophy, but that does not get the estrogen into the rest of the body ( and does not pose the same risks as oral estrogen).<P>------------------<BR>Andrew T. Goldstein<BR>Director, The Center For Vulvovaginal Disorders<P><BR><p>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]