when burning pain is bad is it best not to put anything down there?

canasten cream kills. lanocane killed too.

steriod cream -okay but cant keep using that.

i could be annoying it all the more by putting cream on it.

is is best just to leave it when pain is bad?

for washing will e45 emollient shower cream help - it feels dry down there.

thanks, xx

Hi julieannboo - I also found that canesten and lidocaine made things worse. In fact I think repeated use of canesten cream and pessaries over a period of weeks (prior to being diagnosed) is what caused a lot of my pain. My pain levels started to decrease once i stopped using it - personally i will NEVER use it again! So I would definitely say don't put anything on if it hurts and try and go 'au naturel' if you can. I found ice packs or a warm bath (just water nothing added) helped a little. If part of your pain is due to irritated skin/nerves from topical treatments then avoiding any irritants should help it heal and reduce that part of your vvd pain.

I use E45 wash emollient or shower cream - its very moisturising and gentle and it doesn't cause me any problems down there. It doesn't foam so it feels a bit strange at first compared to 'normal' soaps/shower gels. Give it a try but again if it causes you pain, stop using it and just use water until things settle down.

Another thought, it might be that some of your pain is now due to tight pelvic muscles (when you're in pain down there you can be unconsciously tensing internal muscles to 'guard' against the pain which can then cause further pain- you probably won't be aware that you are doing this, its like your muscles have a mind of their own!). Try and get your pelvic floor assessed by a physio if possible. And check for internal (vaginal) trigger points and trigger points on your bum and thighs as that usually means muscle issues. Gentle massage of trigger points can help with the pain. Also try some pelvic and general relaxation techniques. Amy Stein's book Heal Pelvic Pain has guidance on pelvic relaxation and internal massage NB if you have tight pelvic muscles only do the relaxation techniques not the Kegels.

Hope this helps.
x