Suzanna was on the bike in a spinning class when she first noticed something didn't feel right.
'I was thinking, 'oh this is really uncomfortable,' she says. 'The way I described it to my husband is, you know when you wash your face with soap and you don't moisturise and it goes really tight, starts to itch and almost sting. 'That is what it is.'
Suzanna says that she didn't feel like herself when she started to experience vaginal dryness.
And as Suzanna soon realised, it's not just the physical symptoms of vaginal dryness that take their toll.
'You feel like a different person,' she says. 'You don't recognise yourself.'
A sentiment echoed by Kirsty, 58, who says it's easy to feel like you're the only person going through it.
Kirsty says that is it important that women, both peri and post menopause, talk about the issue.
'But it's not only you, you're not going mad,' she says. 'I am a post menopausal woman, I do have vaginal dryness and it's really important that we are raising awareness about that.'
Conversations around perimenopause and menopause have been more open in recent years, meaning many more of us have a better understanding of what to expect, what's 'normal' and what's happening to our bodies at this often tricky time of life.
And while we'll happily discuss our hot flushes, night sweats, heart palpitations, brain fog, bloating and even anxiety, it's rare to hear someone be honest about their experiences with vaginal dryness.
Charlotte describes her vaginal dryness as 'awful' and said it really impacted her mood.
'I don't think my friends and I would talk about vaginal dryness,' says Charlotte, 52. 'We would share about feeling low in mood or having hot flushes. But it’s crazy, we’ve all got a vagina. Why on earth are we shy about it? It just doesn’t make any sense.
'Vaginal dryness was awful. My husband didn’t really know how much it was getting me down, but we need to be talking about it and being open and honest.'
What to look for
Like other symptoms of perimenopause, vaginal dryness is caused by a drop in estrogen.
While many women will happily discuss symptoms such as hot flushes, brain fog or bloating, it's rare to hear someone be honest about their experiences with vaginal dryness.
And the effects are more disruptive and distressing than you might think.
Replens: The lowdown
Suffering from vaginal dryness? Feel like yourself again with Replens...
- Provides immediate and long-lasting relief from vaginal dryness*
- The No.1 brand recommended by GPs*
- Hormone free
Not only might there be irritation like itching, burning and stinging, but the general day-to-day discomfort can also show up as soreness and chafing, particularly when exercising.
As many women discover, vaginal dryness also has an impact on our sex lives. Due to thinning vaginal tissue, sex can become painful and might cause light bleeding or spotting after intercourse.
Plus, a lot of women also find they have a need to urinate more often and there's even a higher likelihood of recurrent urinary tract infections, which are extremely painful and upsetting.
What can be done about vaginal dryness?
The silence around vaginal dryness means women can end up feeling ashamed and isolated, believing there's nothing that can be done and that nobody will understand.
But thankfully that is not the case.
In fact, there is a solution and it's available over the counter and online, so if you're going through daily discomfort and compromised intimacy due to vaginal dryness, it couldn't be easier to take action.
Angela began using Replens to help get her sex life back on track:
'Sex is not supposed to be painful. If I'm having vaginal dryness, it's not how it used to be, so something has shifted. It's not a subject we should be embarrassed about.
'Replens has made it so easy for me. Our sex now is easier. I don't feel apprehensive because there is no pain.
'I'm looking after myself the same way that I look after my face, my neck. It's the same thing. I shouldn't have to neglect any part of my body.'
Replens is a vaginal moisturiser that provides immediate relief which can actually last for up to three days*.
The bio-adhesive formula coats the vagina's surface tissue delivering moisture where it's needed and soothing dryness and irritation. Plus, it's hormone-free and is the No.1 brand recommended by GPs*, so you know you're in safe hands.
It can be used alongside HRT and anyone who uses lubricant for temporary relief during sex will find that, thanks to the long-lasting effects of Replens, their intimacy can once again be comfortable and spontaneous.
Charlotte started using Replens six months ago and hasn't looked back.
'I wish I'd started it 12 months ago,' she says. 'Because I'm now moisturising regularly, it’s not building up to a point where it’s so dry that I’m feeling irritated.
'It complements the HRT I’m already on and I can carry on my week feeling really comfortable.'
And Suzanna has been able to return to spin class without worrying about feeling sore.
'Replens has made me feel comfortable again,' she says. 'For me it was instant. I am on HRT but it doesn't fix everything. The proof of the pudding is, I don't think about it anymore. It's just normal again. I'm a well oiled machine just like my bike!'
Kirsty has also found the relief she was looking for thanks to Replens.
'The thing I love about it is the ease of use,' she says. 'I feel like my vagina is getting the moisture it needs.'
And her advice to women going through perimenopause and experiencing vaginal dryness?
'Talk! It might be the only support somebody needs!'