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[jessieblue]

Does anyone know what this is?  Or have experience>  I saw my gp today with my vulval inflammation.  She took another swab as she said she thinks I have an infection but 2 weeks ago swab was clear.  I have had 2 fluconazole tablets in 3 weeks with no improvement.  I am red raw and I questioned Lichen sclerosus to which she said there was no sign of but I am still unsure.  She also said I am not particularly atrophic.  I have to wait for the result before any further treatment and I am going to request a vulval dermatologiy appt going forward because this is really worrying.  I am wondering if its something to do with uti?  I still have feelings of bladder pressure and the need to go after I have been etc.  3 weeks ago things were all fine down there and wow! how this has escalated.  I am in such a state psychologically not knowing what is wrong and if there will even be anything that can help.  I have been reading around and it seems there is something called cytolytic vaginosis....Im not sure if you have to be menstruating to have this but it sounds similar to whay I am experiencing.  I am post meno though and have no idea whats going on.  Vaginal atrophy seems the lesser of the evils right now as I am now fearing vulval cancer.

[CLKD]

Why 'read round'?

Go back to your GP and discuss your worries?  I can't remember if you have been prescribed appropriate treatment for vaginal atrophy? [menobrain + heat wave +  ]

[Tinkerbell]

VA can inflame the vulva, have you tried Vagifem?

[Jenna]

Hi jessieblue,

I have had this terrible soreness and inflammation and it does sound as if it could be your problem. I am post menopausal too. I am sure that it was caused by too many thrush treatments including putting live yoghurt 'up there'.

If your swab shows too many lactobacilli, then that confirms it. I think my vaginal pH was also checked at the time the swab was taken. The treatment is sitting in a bath with bicarbonate of soda added to the water. The exact details of the treatment are listed here under Cytolitic Vaginosis:

http://ispub.com/IJANP/6/1/12743

I hope that helps!

[Dancinggirl]

Jenna has given good advice.  Many of us have experienced this ghastly soreness and when it arrives suddenly it can be alarming.  Try not to do too many web searches as you will only get horror stories. Antibiotics and thrush treatments can create havoc with our ‘lady bits' and I'm pretty sure that is what is causing your problems.   Dg x

[jessieblue]

Thanks guys and thank you Jenna....yesterday I sat in a sitz bath with dead sea salts and coconut oil, just a very shallow amount and kind of splashed it over myself.  It was the most relief I have had for a short while.  I have ordered bicarb of soda which will arrive today so I will be trying this today.  I wonder should i still add a little coconut oil or not?  The coconut oil made things nice and slidey.  I am having problems sticking together and sticking to my underwear!  Especially walking.  I spent all day pant less yesterday as couldnt stand it.

I have tried oestrogen creams but they caused inflammation too.  I have vagifem but as I have mentioned I am waiting for things to settle otherwise I wont know where I am.  My GP seemed to think the symptoms could onky be caused by infection.  She seems sure its either thrush or BV.....Im not so sure but we will see.  She said i wasnt really atrophic, again thats confusing as I have had symptoms for so long on and off then if not that what??  Hence why I end up reading around because Im not sure this will reap many results and I think a dermatologist may be my next place to get a proper diagnosis at least.  If I dont have VA I assume I dont need oestrogen and maybe my symptoms are from my prolapsing, which is really bulging at the moment and feeling like a tampon slipping out.  I suspect I have cystocele as well which could cause the bladder symptoms.  I get lots of weird sensations like pee dropping out when it isnt or the feeling of air bubbles coming down.  I really want to know what exactly is wrong because otherwise I seem to be going around in circles.  I may have to face up to having prolapse surgery too I guess.

[Dancinggirl]

The bladder has oestrogen receptors so when meno hits, even if there isn't obvious atrophy present, the bladder will suffer and not function so well. Vagifem will help this as it can deliver the oestrogen better to the bladder and urethra.  I think the oestrogen creams work better for external areas.

Once you start using Vagifem, it can take some weeks, or even months, for the benefits to take effect. I experienced what you have right now in my early 40s when I had gone into post meno, - though I was on systemic HRT it didn't stop the bladder issues. Local oestrogen wasn't given at that time and I suffered for years on and off till I moved house and the local practise nurse at my new surgery started me on Vagifem.

I had worked out fro myself about local moisturisers, Multi Gyn Actigel and using bicarb of soda.  BTW - you can buy bicarb of soda at the super market as it's just what you use for baking.  Do use coconut oil as it can be soothing as well. I sill think you are suffering from a total imbalance of your flora. DG x

[CLKD]

Vaginal Atrophy mimics urine infection-type symptoms really well  but GPs don't get it.  They insist on treating what 'might be' rather than what is.  I didn't show signs of atrophy on examination but boy, it was like razor blades high up  .  My GP realised and with appropriate VA treatment problem solved.   What's to lose ............  too many swabs can make the vagina dry!

Let us know how you get on?

[jessieblue]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say thank you so much, in particular Jenna's link to the bicarb therapy.  I am so much more comfortable today after trying this with some coconut oil in the water.  It has made a huge difference in such a short space of time which has been such a huge relief and has eased my anxiety.  I totally see what you are all saying about the vagifem so I will definitely be trying this going forward.  I have also found a dermatologist in Buckhurst Hill that I could see in a couple of weeks, she specialises in vulva derm along with a few others so hopefully she will know her stuff.  I will await the swab results before booking though in case these are needed to make the decision.  I am still really keen to get some oestrogen on board to help avoid uti and to maybe help with the bladder irritation and prolapse feelings.  I am praying the vagifem will be kind to me!  Thank you again everyone.  I will keep you updated. xx

[Jenna]

I'm so pleased to hear this, jessieblue. 

Once I was more comfortable I went on to use Estriol Cream (14 days loading and then twice a week after that). Vagifem doesn't suit me, but personally I prefer the cream anyway, because I can use it externally as well. On the days I don't use the cream, I use Yes water-based and all has been fine since.

My problem was my GP being adamant I had thrush, when I didn't, and the treatments for that caused the cytolytic vaginosis. I actually went to a sexual health clinic in my despair and it was diagnosed there. My problem all along was VA.

I really hope you will continue to feel much better now, jessieblue. 

[jessieblue]

Thank you Jenna.  My doctor was adamant i have an infection so I was seeing more antibiotics or fungal treatments in my future! Im so glad I googles on this occasion becasue I came across this erm and it fits whats happening exactly.  After the trimethoprim I was a little sore so used flucanazole but the swab was clear.  Then things got worse and i took another fluc......not surprisingly this didnt make me better....far from it it could have been the cause. Same thing exactly happened after antibiotics before and my first uti was after penecillin for a throat infection. It kind of makes sense now that the general upset in flora down there is behind the inflammation.  Just knowing that and that there isnt a rambling infection will be helpful if this is the case.  I will let you know what the latest swab result is.  Thanks again for your input.  I will aim to start the vagifem in a week or so once things have settled.  I couldnt get on with the creams as they caused inflammation too.....sigh. xx

[Jenna]

You're very welcome, jessieblue, and hopefully it will all sort itself out now, but what a nightmare it is getting there!