Replens Review
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 | Uncategorized
Many things can cause vaginal dryness, such as: certain medications, menopause, stress, menstruation, childbirth, breastfeeding, use of tampons, and intercourse. Replens is designed to help restore the vagina’s natural moisture. It comes in a pre-filled applicator and lasts up to three days. It’s different from personal lubricants because it doesn’t have to be applied right before sex. Many women prefer to use Replens moisturizer at night before bed. The applicator is to be thrown away after you use it. The applicator should be opened with clean hands. Once the applicator is out of the package, give it a few firm shakes, holding it by the thicker end, to loosen up the gel inside the applicator. Then remove the cap on the thin end and insert the applicator into the vagina either lying with your legs up, or squatting while standing up. Only insert as far as it is comfortable. Next you give the thick end of the applicator a good squeeze to release the gel into the vagina. That’s it. Some gel may still remain in the applicator. It’s normal. Just throw the applicator away and go to sleep. The instructions say you may experience dead skin cell discharge in the days following the application. It looks kind of like cottage cheese. This is supposed to go away with continued use.
Replens can be used every 2 to 3 days but shouldn’t be used during your period because it will cause the blood to clump together and just create a mess. It is best to resume using Replens a few days after your period has completely stopped. Replens does not contain any spermicides, therefore it isn’t a form of birth control. It is safe during oral sex. It can be purchased at most drugstores and also at Walmart and Target. Replens if fairly inexpensive. You get 8 applicators for about $17. You can also order it online from most drugstores and you can buy it directly from the Replens site as well.
Replens was recommended to me by my gyno. Having enough lubrication during sex can help prevent yeast infections as well as other types of vaginal infections, so I decided to give it a try. The lubrication was a little thick and not quite as slippery as I would have liked. It did not feel very natural to me. I used it every three days as directed. For the first few weeks I had the dead skin cell discharge. It’s thick and white and quite a nuisance. It came out in large amounts on my underwear as well as during sex. My husband and I had to go rinse off several times during sex because the white clumps were all over the place. I always had to wear a pantyliner during the day and change it several times to keep my underwear from getting messed up. After a few weeks the discharge was less, but still not completely gone. I also sometimes experienced an itching sensation right after insertion. I stopped using it because I found a product I liked better.
(Rated 3/5 Stars)
5 Comments to Replens Review
I also have experienced the clumpiness. May I ask what product you found that you like better? I would love to try something else. The discharge is embarrising.
Rephresh is what I use now. With Rephresh I still had some clumps, but it was only for about a month. You can read my Rephresh review here
TanyaFebruary 20, 2009
Thanks for your response! I have also tried Rephresh and I agree, it doesn’t cause the clumping as much as Replens. I think the worse for that is the KY Liquibeads. They are so convenient because they are like a soft-gel tablet you insert, so there is no mess….BUT….I had major clumpiness after sex. I heard it described as little “spit balls” that end up all over me and my partner after sex. I am wondering if these products have a wax in them. That’s actually what it looks like to me, like a wax build-up…yuck!
Anyway….I am still searching for a better product to use. Anyone try Lubrin?
They say the clumps are your vagina shedding dead skin cells (Not sure how true this is). I checked the ingredients for Relpens and Rephresh and didn’t see any type of wax in the ingredients. The main reason I liked Rephresh better was because it helps balance the pH in the vagina, and I have pH issues. I haven’t seen any other vaginal lubricants that help balance pH. I haven’t tried any of the other products you mentioned, but if you try Lubrin, let us know how that goes.
BarbAugust 12, 2011
I have had chronic yeast infections and UTI’s. This is what finally worked for me: Eating yogurt with live cultures every morning. Using KY beads Mon, Wed, Fri. without skipping them. Drinking plenty of water. Having sex more frequently. Keggle exercises. Avoiding perfumed soaps. Washing before and after intercourse.
The main reason I’ve had the problems with UTI’s and yeast is dryness after a hysterectomy. Supposedly a UTI can mimmick a yeast infection so be careful not to go using Monistat unless you get checked first to see if it is yeast or UTI. I’m presently on a once a day antibiotic for 6 months to completely erradicate the UTI’s. Hope this helps.
February 19, 2009