Women's Health Community

I didn't end up seeing my doctor about this until 3 days ago.

My doctor took a look around the area where I feel most of my pain. She told me she didn't see any irritation. Then she checked out the rest of my vulva, my vaginal opening, and inserted a speculum to look inside. She told me that everything looked normal. She took a few swabs to check to see if I had an infection then had me stand up and cough while she checked to see if I had a hernia.


I had a culture taken for HSV in July and that was negative. So now I know that this isn't caused by a STD, a UTI, or a vaginal or bacterial infection. While I am very thankful for that I almost wish it was something just so I could know and start medication for it.


I'm on depo and I asked if that would have anything to do with it and she told me that it would be rare if it did. I forgot to mention that I got a yeast infection after my first Depo shot I've had in over a year and this is when this all started.


She told me that it's being caused by friction and she gave me a couple of samples of estrogen cream to apply to the area at night. It seems to be helping a bit so far but the side effects are kind of scaring me. Especially the blood clotting risk since I have family history and have Factor V Lieden. I am pretty much at a loss here. I don't know what to do next if this cream doesn't work.


It's taking a toll on my emotionally. The pain isn't horrible but it's there. The few people I have brought it up to can't relate, so far nothing I've done has helped, I am really worried that this isn't ever going to go away.

I'm so sorry to hear you are having the same problem as me. I have been diagnosised with Vulvodynia.I have had alll the tests, even a biopsy and nothing but some inflammation. My vulva looks normal too. Mine is dry and burns like heck. I can't wear undies or tight pants at all. This has been going on for 2? years and after 8 Drs. no help. I just recently got a prescription for a 5% Lidocaine gel. It helps some. They don't know what causes this and so don't have a clue what to do about it. Here is a good website.
http://www.vulvodynia.com/faq.htm#_7.7 Anti-inflammatories_
and
http://www.thevpfoundation.org/index.htm

Emotionaly I am a wreck. I am on antidepressants, antianxiety drugs. If you are on Facebook there is a private group called "The Vulvodynia Support Group " I am an Admin. for it. Please join us.
Julie

Thank you. I just sent a request to join the Facebook group and will read up on the links you posted.

I'm sorry you've been in pain for so long. I hope we both can find something eventually that will help it go away