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Investigating topical therapy for vaginal dryness. Angie Leather & Jacqui Stringer ICVP study day 04/03/2011. “The Problem”. physical. menopause. Vaginal Dryness. psychological. Ineffective treatment. Cancer therapy. Social/ relationship. medication. unrecognised ? ignored?.
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Investigating topical therapy for vaginal dryness Angie Leather & Jacqui Stringer ICVP study day 04/03/2011
“The Problem” physical menopause Vaginal Dryness psychological Ineffective treatment Cancer therapy Social/ relationship medication unrecognised ? ignored?
Physical Symptoms • Dryness • Illness/disease • Body Image • Pain during ADL (passing urine, exercise…etc) • Pain at intercourse
Current treatments • Hormone replacement • Lubrication • Dilation • Commitment!
My husband does so much caring for me, yet I don’t feel that I can give him anything in return My husband is scared to touch me because he’s worried that he will hurt me or give me an infection I didn’t feel that it was appropriate to mention it. I thought that I shouldn’t be having sex anymore I have accepted it and have used lubricants for months now..
Proposed intervention • 1gm Cocoa butter based essential oil pessaries • Use 6 nights out of 7 • 3 weeks out of 4 • Reduction in frequency • Dilation and stretching of the vaginal
Feedback from patients…so far • Initial tingling / warmth upon first insertion • Patients psychologically better • Improvements in quality of life (ADL) • Able to use longer and wider dilators within weeks of commencement • Resumed intercourse • Nice smell – even dogs like it!!
The future • Feasibility study looking at safety, efficacy and user acceptability • Aim: Improving quality of life!
Contact Details • Angie Leather Tel: 0161 918 7219 email: angela.leather@christie.nhs.uk • Jacqui Stringer Tel:0161 446 3524 Mobile: 07913 292 070 email: jacqui.stringer@christie.nhs.uk