Brief Answer:
detailed explanation below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I understand the issue and there is nothing to be shy about it.

I would just say that most of the time sexual urges are natural and have a psychological aspect more than a physical one. Sometimes however an area of the brain called hippocampus becomes more active and leads to increased sexual drives.

So there is a psychological as well a neurological component to it.

As of now I suggest that if these urges are occassional then there are a few options like meditation and yoga that you have already tried. If these are not useful and you feel that these drives are occassional and you would like to have a partner then maybe you may think along those lines. However if you feel that these drives are abnormal and excessive then an effort must be made to determine the cause. In that case an opinion of both a neurologist and psychiatrist will be very important. Please do not hesitate to discuss this as this is a problem that you are facing and there may be a good reason for it. They may be able to help you. So do not hesitate. We are doctors and are open to all sorts of issues. We do understand that people approach us for such issues when things are really out of control and we always try to help them out. So go ahead.

About the vaginal itch, did the doctor not examine you for a cause. There may be an infection or a condition called atrophic vaginitis or lichen or leukoplakia of vulva and it is better to get it examined.

So go ahead and discuss it with your doctor.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.     
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist

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Brief Answer:
answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

If there is not infection then it may be hormonal.

Atrophic vaginitis is caused by low estrogen levels. If hormone replacement is contraindicated then you may try phytoestrogens that are present in plants and cereals. Soyabeans, black kohash and spinach are a very good source. Also protein powders with phytoestrogens are available. They are in low concentration and help relieve symptoms in many women.

Also regarding this being a part of the grief process, it will need a detailed one to one discussion to really find this out. Personally I do not feel that this is a reaction to grief. Another reason as I have already said is hippocampal stimulation for which a cause may not always be found. So a neurologist [ will help with the organic hippocampal dysfunction part and decide if this has a valid reason] and a psychiatrist [ understand if this is due to a subconscious emotion] and will be able to help you understand what it is.

About an itch cream or numbing cream:
Numbing creams contain local anesthetist drugs that may be contraindicated in you considering the heart surgery as they have cardiac side effects. Anti itch creams contain steriods and you have already tried it and it did not work so it cannot be recommended. Another option is local estrogen cream that helps relieve atrophic vaginitis. This can be applied in really low doses for a short duration and must not cause any harm. But it will need a prescription from your doctor.

I have already explained that a neurologist will essentially be able to help you to find out that this is due to a problem in the brain say blood supply etc while a psychiatrist will help to understand if this is due to a emotional issue.

I hope this answers the queries.

Feel free for any further ones.

Take care.

Dr Madhuri

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Brief Answer:
detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX and welcome,

I understand your issue very well.

About viagra, it is not meant to increase libido, it just causes erection in males.

We do understand that there are many conditions that still are not answerable with modern medicine and that is the reason we feel that we are still in the nascent phases of medical research. We have a long way to go.

However I would still strongly recommend a visit to a psychaitrist as there are medicines to help with such issues. You need not have an emotional or have a reason for such thoughts. They can come in isolation without any other issues associated with them. So please do this if possible.

Regarding menopause, the average duration is 5-8 years but some women may have symptoms for a longer period. For women on hormone replacement, they most of the time do not have these while on hormones, but once the hormones have been withdrawn these symptoms may last for the next few years after stopping. So the duration is variable.

I have, through my experience learnt that the menopausal symptoms are less in people who have a lot of motivation and discipline in life. Yoga, exercise, healthy diet and following scheduling your work helps in distracting from these symptoms and they tend to wither away. Phytoestrogens are also very useful in women with sudden menopause [ like surgical removal of ovaries]. They do benefit in other women too.

So I suggest that you do see a psychiatrist at least instead of suffering this. The psychaitrist will be able to suggest you better if there is a need to see a neurologist. It will need some time until the treatment will show effect but these will go away with therapy. I also feel that you are extremely frustrated with these thoughts and you do not want them. You are trying to find a solution to them. Believe me a good psychiatrist will be able to help you and also recognize if there is an organic condition causing this and help you with treatment.

I hope this will provide some insight into the issue.

I am always here to help you.

take care,

Dr Madhuri

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