QUESTION: 

Ever since I had my complete hysterectomy in 1997, at age 37 (am now 50) I've had many problems with vaginal dryness.  I've not been on any type of hormone replacement therapy for about 10 years.  About a year after my surgery I went through a complete surgical menopause, and my then GYN gave me the OK to stop taking hormones.  But I was 40 then.   My ex-husband and I had, for the first time, to use OTC lubricants.  Then, after being divorced, the first time I had intercourse (3 years ago) nothing helped.  Needless to say, that relationship went nowhere; I was more frustrated and bothered by it than he was.  A year ago I tried vaginal inserts for dryness and they didn't help. 

I've restarted a relationship (by phone only up till now) with a man I dated for 3 years in college.  We're both single and are planning on seeing each other soon.  But I'm concerned because when I think that I shouldn't have a need for lubrication, I realize that I need it.

I had a PAP 3 years ago and that was fine.  I don't have a GYN now.  My pharmacist is the one who told me about the lubricant inserts.  I'm really perplexed.  Why is it that things are really difficult to experience now?Nothing Helps!



ASK HEALTH & FITNESS' DR. JULIO MORA ANSWERS:

Dear "Nothing Helps:"

I want to express to you my heartfelt sympathy.  Why?  Because you (and every human being) have the right to healthy, happy, and satisfying intimate relations, and that's not what you're experiencing at this time.  I have three issues for you to consider.  First, you absolutely need to see a Gynecologist.  Find one whom you like and discuss with him/her what the alternatives are for hormonal therapies.  While the dryness you're experiencing is a continuous, obvious problem, there may be others that you don't realize right now that will need the attention of a top-rate GYN-trained physician.  Second, the age at which you went through surgical menopause was very young.  Therefore you are at prime risk for osteoporosis.  This is another reason why you need to see an excellent GYN.  Finally, the dyspareunia (pain during intercourse) you're experiencing might possibly be helped by lubricant and hormonal therapies.  Don't give up on them.  It may take several attempts until you are successful - but they can work very well.  Good luck.   

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Newborn60 I enjoyed this article because in spite of not having any kind of problems in my GYN clinics, I had just married for the first time at my sixty, I am experiencing the same as the Nothing Helps, my husband bought one lubricant and we are going to try, as a matter of fact I would rather the hormones, they make me feel much better, but my masthologist said I should not use them because I have an historical breast cancer from my mother, I was using one local hormony, but my husband does not like. Do you have one advice or opinion for me? To add I would like to say that I get pretty wet outside but when we try the real intercourse, my husband said that it seemed I was rejecting him, and he had a sensation he was rapping me if he insisted on, I feel pain. Thank you for your kindness.

Jan 12, 2012, 10:39 PM EST

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