Ask Dr Mel: Contact lenses and a sore vagina

Ask Dr Mel: Contact lenses and sore vagina

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Every week we bring you expert advice from Woman's Weekly's health expert Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones, a GP from Stockport with 26 years' experience. This week she answers questions on contact lenses and a sore vagina.

Q. I wear monthly disposable contact lenses, but they're quite expensive. How risky is it for me to wear them for longer than the recommended time?

A. Well, I'd advise against it and so would the British Contact Lens Association and the General Optical Council. Unfortunately, a recent YouGov survey revealed that one in five lens wearers would consider doing this, and one in ten would consider having fewer check-ups.

Contact lenses are very delicate, and even putting them in and taking them out causes wear and tear that could increase the risk of damage to your cornea (the delicate transparent 'window') at the front of the eye. This could cause anything from minor redness and irritation to blurred vision that could stop you wearing lenses for ever - or even threaten your sight - so it's not worth taking any chances.

It's really important to follow your optometrist's advice about lens care, too, and use the recommended solutions, to prevent infections or allergies that could damage your eyes. Regular check-ups are essential, to monitor your eye health and detect early warning signs that your lenses could be harming your eyes.

Q. My vagina feels very dry and sore. I'm only in my mid-40s - could it be the menopause?

A.Yes, especially if your periods are erratic or you've noticed hot flushes. Falling oestrogen levels around the menopause make the vaginal lining thinner and less able to lubricate itself, which can lead to itching, dryness (or occasionally a slight discharge) and painful lovemaking. These can also be caused by thrushand other infections, diabetes or skin problems, so you need to see your GP who can examine you and take swabs or blood tests.

If your problem is low hormone levels, there are several remedies you could try. Vaginal lubricants, such as Replens, Senselle, Yes or Sylk (which you can buy from your pharmacy and try before seeing your GP), often ease symptoms and make lovemaking easier.

Another option is to boost your low oestrogen levels. Your GP can prescribe oestrogen cream or pessaries (pellets) to insert into the vagina each night for two or three weeks; this can be topped up from time to time. You may prefer hormone replacement therapy tablets or patches (you'll need combined HRT containing progesterone as well as oestrogen to protect your womb, unless you've had a hysterectomy). Your GP can help you to decide which option would be best for you.

Advice given here is for general information only and is correct on date of publication. Please seek help from your own GP if you have a medical problem.

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