Christina presented to my clinical practice after having experienced vaginal dryness for four years. She had reported this to her family doctor who had dismissed her concerns. In the past, she also had complained to her doctor about a lump in her breast and her doctor dismissed that as well. Unfortunately, later on, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and I understood her cause for concern.
Christina was uncomfortable using estrogen of any kind, even low dose localized estrogen (which is safe for many women), given her breast cancer diagnosis. She had tried Replens® but found that this made her itchy and did not help with her vaginal dryness. I suggested that Christina use RepaGyn® for moisturization and to help heal the dry and cracked vaginal tissue since she had experienced a dry vagina for four years. RepaGyn® is a hormone-free personal moisturizer available as an ovule that is inserted into the vagina. She used it for 8 days in a row and then two or three times a week for two months. Christina later contacted me to let me know that it had helped her tremendously and she was feeling so much better.
Christina mentioned that many of her friends were going through the same things she was, suffering from vaginal dryness which had impacted their relationships because sex was painful. I encouraged to share her new-found knowledge with her friends and that it is important that women have these conversations. She agreed; she said that the value of education could not be overstated and so many women suffer in silence because we don’t talk about these issues with each other. I suggested she she tell her friends to check out my website and blog anytime.
Hot Flash in the City Event
I mentioned to Christina about Ladies Night Out, an educational event series that I will be hosting in November 2015 in and around Vancouver called, “Hot Flash In The City.” It is a fun, educational women’s health event about peri-menopause and menopause and more! I also told her that there would be lots of talk about vaginal dryness and sexual desire.
Everyone is welcome; ladies, health care professionals, anyone interested in women’s health, and of course men are welcome too! With increased knowledge and understanding, a cocktail, some appies, the hilarious movie Hot Flash Havoc and a health presentation with a Q&A period, women are sure to get back to the bedroom once again!
For more information about the events go to: EventBrite.ca/HotFlashInTheCity
