If you’re a person with a vagina on testosterone, here are some things that might really help to know about vaginal atrophy. I want to be upfront without making it scary, because this is way more common and way more manageable than people make it sound.
I am going to use medical terms for bodies and genitals in a frank and honest way in this post, just to keep things clear.
First things first: it is soo treatable!
Vaginal atrophy can happen on testosterone because T lowers local estrogen in vaginal tissue. That tissue needs some estrogen to stay stretchy, comfy, and healthy. When it doesn’t get enough, it can get thinner, dryer, and more fragile, and more irritated.
Pain, burning, tearing, spotting, frequent UTIs, or discomfort during penetration or exams.
None of that means something is wrong with you or that you did anything wrong.
let’s get you some relief!!
The most common and effective treatment is a topical estrogen cream. This is applied inside and around the opening of the vaginal canal.
Yes, that can be dysphoria inducing, and it is okay to feel weird about it. A lot of people do whether they are trans or cis.
The important part is that this treatment is not forever! Many people only use it during flare ups or for short courses! I do!
It will not affect your transition! This is topical and locally absorbed.
This is topical and locally absorbed. It does not meaningfully enter your bloodstream and it will not estrogenize you, reverse changes, or interfere with testosterone.
This is something doctors who work with trans patients are very clear on!
If asking your PCP feels too scary, dysphoric, or inaccessible, or if cost or wait times are an issue, you can use telehealth services like Wisp if you’re in the US.
You usually pay out of pocket, but it is not nearly as expensive as seeing an in person doctor, they may need a very short video call depending on your state.
I’ve personally used Wisp and they were kind, respectful, and straightforward.
Wisp also treats UTIs, yeast infections, offers birth control, and more. It’s often very affordable.
This is not an ad, they just genuinely helped me and my wife when insurance was not an option.
You do not need to suffer through pain or infections!
A few extra things that can help or are good to know!
Vaginal atrophy is not dangerous, but it can get worse if ignored. Treating it early often means less medication and less discomfort overall.
Non hormonal vaginal moisturizers or lubricants can help with dryness and irritation, but they don’t replace estrogen if atrophy is present. They can still make daily life more comfortable tho.
Avoid harsh soaps, douching, or scented products! It’s bad for your vagina!
Pain, tearing, bleeding, or recurring UTIs are all good reasons to seek treatment. You do not have to wait until it is unbearable. You deserve a comfortable body to live in.
You deserve providers who use language that feels okay to you.
You can ask for neutral or anatomy based language, or for explanations without gendered terms. That is allowed.
This can sound scary, but it is actually very okay.
Vaginal atrophy is extremely common, not just in people on testosterone, but also in cis women after menopause, people on some medications, and anyone with a vagina as estrogen levels change with age or other factors!
Bodies change. Tissue changes. That is normal, not shameful, and not a failure! That just comes with the privilege of being alive!
Having a vagina and needing care for it does not make you less the gender you identify as.
Taking care of your body is not a betrayal of your gender.
You deserve comfort, health, and relief.
I want to be able to discuss these things openly and honestly because when it happened to me I realized I only knew what to do and wha was happening because I once saw a single reddit comment much like this one, and if I can be that person for someone else, I wanna be.
origamiaround
jbbartram-illu
germansingergirl
vaporwave
baratheonpilled
