hi, I have been diagnosed with AV this week after weeks of pain and treatments for thrush cystitis and UTI. I have been prescribed vagifem which I have been taking for 3 days but the burning and discomfort is terrible! Especially when sitting. I wondered if there was an external topical cream I could use that others have found helpful?! I have seen lots of suggestions on here but they don't look like they are available in the UK! Anyone help please?! 
Hi it's a long journey unfortunately that takes time to control. The Vagifem do take at least a month I'd say in my case to make a noticeable difference. If you get some vitamin E capsules just the ones at health food shop. You can insert one overnight in the capsule to melt or decant in the day and rub it in. I found Cartons vitamin E pessaries easier to use at night you can cut them in half too.
Quite a few people use ice to cool down there wrapped I believe to avoid burn. I also used Vagisil which is used outside the Vaginally on the lips and in the inner lips slightly to numb but not up inside to make sitting more comfortable. It's very difficult to avoid though I know, but wearing loose clothing will help preferably a skirt will bring a bit of relief. As the more irritation the less time it has to heal.
I hope you feel better soon :-)
Carsons pessaries that should read
Caroline, I had to read this twice and check your name just to make sure I hadn't posted this myself.
I've also been struggling with a UTI, then thrush and now finally diagnosed as VA. I'm on day 4 of vagifem but just like you, the burning is bad and also like you, particularly awful with sitting.
I'm going to try to get through the 14 days, hope I can.
I've also read that a Vit A capsule inserted vaginally can be soothing.
If you come accross anything that helps, PLEASE share it on this thread...
Good luck
Yes lubricant is helpful too. Hope you find relief soon.
Hello
I too have been there. My GYN gave me estrogen cream internally (prescription) for two weeks before starting the Vagifem 2 times a week......it was a help as it does take the Vagifem time to help you feel normal again...several weeks. You might want to ask your doctor about the estrogen cream for 14 days.
Hang in there.......you will feel normal again. I might have to be on Vagifem..forever unfortunately....however if it keeps me feeling normal...it's worth it!
Take good care.......keep us posted.
wendy
Hi Caroline,
I have the terrible burning too but it's inside my vagina, it irritates 24/7 and it's been driving me mad.
My doctor also prescribed Vagifem but I won't use it as there's a history of breast cancer in the family so I'm not taking any risks.
I've tried using vitamin e capsules as a pessary but it didn't do much for me at all. Then a friend who has suffered with problems down below suggested I try Salcura Topida spray, it's made of natural ingredients which suited me, so I ordered a bottle.
I've used it three times and it's the first time in a very long time that I've had any kind of relief from the burning. I sprayed it internally (although it's a bit awkward to do) and also sprayed some externally, it feels so soothing.
I'm in the UK too and I found the cheapest price on Ebay, it's £9.60 a bottle but worth every penny.
I'd recommend giving it a try yourself.
Good luck.
Hello Wendy, thanks for this. Can you tell was what the Estrogen cream was called?
Sorry I wrote vitamin A in my reply to you earlier, I meant to write vitamin E
Hope you are feeling better
Hello KKay
Yes.....PREMARIN VAGINAL CR/APP. 30gm. apply One half inch to affected area at bedtime for 14 days. Internally. applicator included.
i hope this helps for you....it's the best way to start before Vagifem.
Wendy
Thank you ladies for all your suggestions! I swear this is getting worse every day. I have ordered the salcura topida and I also went on Amazon looking for any kind of external cream. I have ordered two to give them a try one is called regelle and the other is hyalofemme I will let you know if any of this helps! Keep coming at me with any new suggestions as I'm so desperate now! I'm not even managing to sleep for pain 
( xxx
Caroline and everyone else suffering here. I was in your shoes several months ago. The burning pain was so bad and never stopped . I was dx with VA with a vaginal tear finally after being treated for everything else UTI, yeast etc. It took three weeks on the estridiol cream to start seeing relief. My husband finally went to the doctor for his own appt and told them I HAD to have something for the pain. I had not slept in weeks, I couldn't work all I did was sit back in the recliner with an ice pack between my legs. Sitting was impossible. The nurse practioner finally prescribled the lowest dose of Norco. I am very sensitive to pain meds so I only used a fourth of a tablet. When I took the first one I really had no hope it would work. IT DID. For the first time in weeks my pain was reduced by about 75%. I know many people hesitate using pain meds because they can become addicting. BUt the goal with VA is to get the discomfort to a bearable level while waiting for the estridiol to repair the vagina damage. After three months, most days are okay. I've thought of switching to vagifem instead of the cream but just don't want to rock the boat.
Anyway make your doctor prescribe you actual pain relief like Norco, it works. I had a stern discussion with my doctor at my follow up. I told her she treated the condition correctly but failed to understand that this is burning constant pain, it is not like a yeast infection or minor soreness It is FLAT OUT PAIN. I woke up every morning after very little sleep shaking from head to toe the pain was so bad. You need to make them understand. I stopped taking the Norco after about six weeks on the estriodiol. But if it flares I would not hesitate to take it again. I cried like a baby when I took the first one and it subsided the pain. Do not suffer, there is no reason to not even for one day . I tried everything vit E, coconut oil etc Norco gave me back my life.
Thank you Donna this is really helpful. Is Norco the trade name? I'm not familiar with it. And what is the strength of each tablet?
Thank you Wendy, I appreciate it
Hi Caroline,
I hope you get some relief with the items you've ordered. I tried a gel called 'Yes VM' too but it hasn't done much for me, the Topida spray has been the best so far.
I asked my doctor if she could prescribe Hyalofemme for me as knew it is available on prescription, she agreed and so I'm going to try that too.
Good luck xx
Good Morning
i just wanted to mention that I too have breast cancer in my family....my sister. My GYN doctor said the Vagifem is low dose and stays locally.
Not good to be on an estrogen cream for a long time.
Vagifem has been a blessing....so wonderful to feel normal again. I will continue to get yearly mammograms and may see a breast specialist every 6 months just in case.
i hope this helps.
have a good day everyone!🌺
Wendy
Norco is the brand name it is hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5-325 tablet every six hours. The first one I took a whole tablet , put me out for hours. Over time I reduced it to 1/2 and then to 1/4th tablets with a pill cutter so I could work. It can be addicting, I took that low dose for six weeks but gradually stopped
Thank you so much Donna, that is really helpful
Hi guys, this is just getting worse! Have tried everything!! My vagina is so dry I can't even insert the prescribed medication! So uncomfortable and miserable ((( xxxx
call your doctor because it is really important to deliver that estrogen on a regular schedule. If I miss a dose I can tell right away.