vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms

I am 55 years old and have been in menopause for almost 3 years. The vaginal dryness was sudden and I saw an article in the New England Journal and began using Replens which was extremely helpful. I suddenly, at times, began to experience urinary urgency, without losing urine but it feels as though the sphincter is incompetent and that I might lose urine! I can no longer stop the stream of urine with kegels. I have had 4 babies. I weigh 95-98 pounds. I worry about becoming incontinent at 55!!!! If my bladder is not irritated by excessive caffeine it seems better, but I hydrate a lot as I am an exercise instructor and advid exerciser myself, and when the bladder is full,,,,,! My gynecologist suggested a topical estrogen cream and she insists that it does not go systemic and that it may help the dryness and urgency issues. I am an RN and my friends look to me for guidance so they would also like to know if the cream can be used if you have a history of breast cancer?  Is the cream safe? Does it increase the risk of cancer (with or without a history of cancer)? I am tempted to try it to see if it helps the urinary symptoms but I would rather deal with it than increase my risks. My sister died of colon cancer, no other history of cancer in my family and my colonoscopies have been clean. HELP we ladies are too young and active to dry up like prunes and wet ourselves!!

[Astro_Light]

Okay,
I am where you are now, same age, and have also experienced a dryness a couple of years into the Menopause activity.
Again, I too have had four children - three pregnancies, one as a multiple birth, weigh sadly a little bit more than you into the 170lbs dissaster area!

I certainly would not forgo the exercise routines, maybe not drink to much prior, and accept that at your age if the body is functing well - then just work round the issues in a more composed manner.
Sometimes, diue to the excessive forms of advertising, we as a society are convinced that we have failing bodies and thus all sorts of medical dilemas that can only be fixed by the intake of the advertised product. We are so conditioned into believing that we have a bladder problem, or a allergy problem; or a sexual enhancement problem, that we convince our body of that fact, and stimulate the symptons into real life drama.
Take away the adverts, and for the most, the body returns back to normal activity...and our sense of well being takes on a more healthy approach.

Excessive bladder - that need to urinate everytime I have a drink does occur, I am NOT however a coffee drinker - 1/2 a cup every morning - although I do tend to drink more tea - herbal versions instead. I do not consider the natural need to urinate soon after drinking fluids as a cause for concern - and in fact prefer to have a regualr flow as that is a good indication that my kidneys are functioning well, and dispensing with any toxins in the body.

Now the dryness - oh that was a different kettle of fish !!, that was not something I could accept, so I invetigated alternative replacements...natural ones rather than man-made.
Dryness certainly interfered with the sexual output, added a damper on the vitality, and made life a little too uncomfortable.  
What I found as the two best solutions was one:>>
Self stimulations, that aided in the body and stimulated a natural mucas, as well as the much needed sexual urges and interests. (Hand to brain cordination so to speak) - regular stimulation encourages the body to feel good about itself in that the orgasam achieved opens up the natural ducts within the inner vagina.  After a while, the dryness is replaced by the natural mucas, that can be excessive on odd occasions, so panty liners are advised.
Self-stimulation also offers enhancement for two sexually active partners to get to know each other better - men have some skills, but awareness of where they can be applied is only successful if you the receiver knows what works best as well. Sad fact of Life...

The second was a use of a natural lubrication.
All my life I have been VERY sensitive to many known lubricants - so it has taken many years to find one that works well, as well as does not trigger of any discomforts etc.
"Pure Romance - just like me" is natural lubricant and can be brought direct from Pure Romance Inc.  - www.PureRomance.com .
A very, very tiny small amount can be applied in the area, and the bottle lasts forever - it is not sticky, and it aids with the self stimulation, as well as united sexual pleasures.

Hope that helps....

[LisaH1960]

Interesting comments, especially regarding the "exercises". It make sense - as they say, "use it or lose it". I've heard similar advice given to men, the theory being that regular "exercise" will help to ward-off prostate problems.

So far I haven't had any problems with dryness, but I'll keep the Pure Romance lubricant in mind if it becomes an issue.

Lisa