[arlee]

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I've been in menapause for 11 years. I really didn't have any problems with flashes. What I should have done, was used something to prevent dryness. I didn't - thinking well, I feel okay. Wrong. For the past 6 weeks, I've had vaginal burning and discomfort. My urine tested negative for any infection. It doesn't burn when I urinate. I've been to the gyno twice and will go again tomorrow. First she diagnosed me with vulvar vestibulitis and perscribed premarin and dermovate for 2 weeks. When I went back after 2 weeks, she said the redness cleared up and everything looked normal. She told me to use Fagifem 10 2x a week, and to use St. Ives with vitamin E for lubrication (which I didn't use - it's not unscented). I've had no relief so far - it's so uncomfortable and hard to live with. I don't have any discharge, and my doctor never did any cultures. I had a Pap test and a new HPV test end of July/11 - both were normal. So it's off to the doctor again. This came on quite suddenly and I will find out if it takes a long time to heal. Did anyone else in my "age bracket" experience this?

[caterpillar79]

I am not in your age range yet, I presume. However, I'm thinking maybe adding yogurt into your diet would help. Any product with lactobacilus acidophilus would help.

Likewise, I'm curious whether you are going to the same doctor over and over or not. Have you considered changing doctors?

Anyways...I'm bumping this thread to get more replies...

[arlee]

I've been going to my doctor for many years. In my city, it's very difficult to get a gyno, unless you're pregnant. sad, but true. I always go for my check up once a year, for pap tests, etc - never, ever had a problem. She keeps telling me it's "old age" - menapause and dryness. Who knew dryness could cause so much grief? I'm going tomorrow with a list of questions - hopefully they'll be answered. Sometimes you go to the doctor - they tell you something, and when you go home - you don't remember half of what they said? I will try yogurt - I'm not a big fan. Should it be the plain variety (not flavoured)?

[caterpillar79]

Flavored or not would be okay, but look for the "probiotic" sign on it. Others even apply it topically to sooth the burning.

Apple cider vinegar shallow bath/soak is also advised by a few. Haven't tried it, but I do drink apple cider vinegar (the organic kind) to help my digestive and southern regions.

Have you searched "vulvar vestibulitis relief" on the web lately? If not, type that whole phrase in and see what you can find.

[arlee]

Thanks Caterpillar - I read about vulvar vestibulitis, I've read just about everything ! I go back from time to time to re-read what I've bookmarked. It would be great to have a doctor who specialized in this disorder. My gyno will probably retire soon, she's 65 and only works 3 days a week. Have you ever suffered from vaginal burning, etc?

[caterpillar79]

I did. And when I did, I ate a lot of yogurt - it's now part of my diet to avoid recurrence. Also, that's why I started taking at least a spoonful of organic/unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in order to increase the number of good bacteria in my digestive tract and in effect, down there.

I'd say, I had a lot of that when I was younger (25 - 29 years old). I changed my underwear and just use all cotton now. I also handwash my panties with a white, mild, unscented, hypo-allergenic soap right after I take them off and air dry them. I do not soap my vaginal part nor use a feminine wash, I just use plain water. I do not douche.

One more thing, I switched OB-GYN's. I also got checked by a urologist and I found out that my urine is high in oxalates. I used to take potassium citrate for that, but now I just watch my diet. High oxalate in urine irritates your vulvar region.

[arlee]

I read about high oxalates and I'm going to check that out. I also use plain water to wash my vagina now. Washing your underwear in a mild soap is also a good idea. I will try everything to stop this burning !! My sister started menapause 2 years ago and has been using Vagifem 10 since then - on the advice of her doctor. i was just sailing along, not watching my "dry" self - now I'm paying for it. Years ago, everyone took hormones and said they felt great. Now, no one wants to touch them!

[arlee]

Forgot to ask which mild soap do you prefer?

[caterpillar79]

Forgot to ask which mild soap do you prefer?

I use ivory white, non-scented, hypoallergenic soap. I know, it's case to case. Others find this to still be harsh, but I've tried the "milder" ones and not like it.