Two things... IBS & Periods.

First of all...

For the last two days I have been beyond sore. Most notable is the extreme burning pain whenever I sit down. Generally I get pain when I'm sat leaning forward (like at the dinner table, or at a desk) but it's more of an ache, like a bruise. But for some reason, as of yesterday afternoon, it's been burning like mad, stinging, and is very, very tender. It's also been very itchy, but, as always, only around the vestibule.

Now, I was just wondering if there's any link between vestibulodynia and your menstruation cycle? It's something I'd never really considered before, and as I'm not taking the pill I'd kind of ruled any hormone changes out. But I realised I should be due on in about a weeks time, and my skin has just started getting spotty again. I don't usually notice until I actually start, then I think "oh, so that's why I've been covered in spots for the last week". But I thought... If my hormone changes affect my skin, than I guess it could do the same down there, right?

Does anyone know anymore about it?

Moving on to... IBS! Yay. (excuse any grossness... I'm sorry!)

For nearly 4 years I've had a change in *ahem* toilet habits. Instead of experiencing the normal kind of, erm, stool (eek!) I've consistently had very soft, brightly coloured ones. Now, it was at this time four years ago that I started having regular sex, I started taking the pill, and I became vegetarian, so as a result I never really bothered looking into it as I just thought it could be something like that causing the change, and as it wasn't having that much of an effect on my day to day life, I ignored it. Until now.

Looking over the forum I spotted something about IBS being link to VV. Can anyone tell me more about it?

I've thought in the past I may have had IBS, but never looked it up really as I'd assumed it's only really diagnosed by what you tell the doctor you have, as in, there's no actual tests for it or anything.

Anyway... I also read on here something about IBS, carbs & VV? I'm a little mixed up about it all but maybe some of you VV docs in waiting can help me! Basically, VV started for me, really, 3 years ago (ibs like symptoms 4) and I am absolutely CRAZY for carbs! I eat bread atleast once a day, sometimes twice, and live off things like pasta, potatoes and all that yummy stuff.

Now... Is this bad??? Could my bread obsession me exacerbating my symptoms? Could it be aiding the IBS (if I have it)? And how on Earth do I suggest this to my doctor, along with the 200 other things I've got to bring up with her, in my next 10 minute appointment??

Any suggestions/advice/tips for any of the above would me greatly received! Thanks guyyyyys.

They have found that lots of women with V have things like IBS but they don't know why, typical. Your carb eating could be playing a role if you have a wheat intolerance or gluten sensitivity but the only way to know for sure is to cut out carbs and see what happens to your IBS.

As for V and menstrual cycles there is often a connection but again they don't really know why, right before my period I have a reduction in symptoms which then increase again a couple of days into my period but alot of the women on here get worse right before a period too. As you can see there's no way they can know why for sure as it varies from woman to woman how and when we are affected by our cycles.

It is possible for a food allergy to cause V though so it might be an idea to reduce your carbs to see if it helps, you could start by removing one at a time to see what happens so you can pinpoint which one is to blame (if any) or cut them all out and then if it works gradually reintroduce them one at a time to see if one triggers symptoms again. To be honest you're probably better trying this on your own and using your doctor for other possible causes rather than just have her/him tell you the same thing, that way you get good value at your drs appointments as well as trying things yourself.

Ahh, that's great, thanks so much.

Sometimes you read so many different things that they get all mixed up in your head!

I'll try and ween myself off all these loooovely carbs then. Is it still possible to get allergy testing done? I know Holland & Barrett used to do it but they've stopped now, although the ladies in there did suggest another place for me to try. But I heard testing's not very reliable really and it just tends to give a result of an allergy towards anything you've just eaten that's still in your stomach!

I'll definitely try and cut things out anyway and see what helps, but I'm scared I'll be breadless for life. Bye bye wholemeal... It's been nice knowing ya!