I didn't read the other thread that was posted in this link as a cross reference, thus sorry if this is any repeat, FWIW...

I have some perimenopause issues also. By some act of the cycling gods, my gyno doc, his wife (who's a doc), my PT doc (lady), and fm doc, are all cyclists. Nice to have some ears listen to these issues that can relate first hand. As the hormones change, tissues thin, and natural lubricants become less. And yes, weight loss decreases body fat everywhere... even "down there".

One thing the gyno doc gave me an rx for was an estrogen cream vaginal insert. It has an applicator like a tampon. All hormone rxs come with the scary side effects they must list (regardless of amount of hormone in it my doc said). One of the biggest ill effects a lady may notice is some irritation. Happens, you just stop. The cream is to help "beef things up" as he put it.

I have yet to actually use the rx, but did some other things we talked about. I started using A LOT of Chamois Buttr. Sometimes slightly insert a bit of lubricant like KY too. Got very tight shorts (down a size, my ones that seem to fit made a crease, not good), went with less chamois pad (less to crease), mixed up my riding position (hoods, drops, stand while riding every so many minutes, dismount at stop signs longer water break, etc.), worked on my posture/technique... and some bike fit adjustments. I also need a wider saddle I've figured out, working on that one yet.

Mine was awful... bleeding labia minora abrasions. That phrase should be something that any woman should never have to utter. It didn't happen again, but the doc said sometimes this type of thing can be an external yeast infection that cyclist get in the summer. Usually, that's an internal thing. But, I guess something with the heat etc. it can present itself like a saddle sore, and really may be part of an infection in the same area. Rxs can help cure it. That I had never heard of before.

Hope you get better. All I can say is that I'm happy to have TE to ask about these things myself, because the only advice "the boys" at the LBS could give was: "well ah, honey, you just need to toughen up down there". Yea... RIGHT!!! Bleah.