Shortly after having a botched vaginal hysterectomy (uterus only) I started having vaginal pain and was finally (after about two years) diagnosed with vulva-vestibulitis. The pain was constant, but I was finally treated successfully. When I started going through menopause, the pain returned. It appears the dryness that occurs with a reduced level of estrogen was once again overstimulating the nerves and the pain returned. I tried over-the-counter products, but they all caused irritation and worsened the pain. Finally, my physician who treated me for the initial vulva-vestibulitis suggested using a compounding pharmacy where they could put the estrogen in a vehicle that was not irritating to me. He had success using a compounded estradiol product on other women like me. I have now been using the compounded estradiol for about 10 years and it has changed my life. Although my drug insurance does not cover the compounded estradiol, I find paying out-of-pocket worth every penny.