Recently diagnosed and the tips I was given..

Hey guys

So I usually never post on forums but I am doing so in hopes that the advice I got will help you too...

I have had a rough few months. I was diagnosed with endometriosis within seconds of my
Gyno reviewing me. It was quite a shock...within 48 hours I was having surgery!

After my laparoscopy I thought everything was ok...until I got hit with a strep b infection! Then I got thrush from the antibiotics and then got strep b again. My doc says that my body has been traumatised so everything was out of whack. After a heap of antibiotics and thrush treatments the infection went away but I still had pain, irritation and sensitivity around my vulvar. Naturally my doc thought maybe it was STD related but all the tests came back nagative which included swabs and blood tests.

After 3 months of constant pain and irritation my wonderful doc was able to get me an appointment with a dermatologist in adelaide who specializes in vulvar disorders.

Within seconds of the dermatologist reviewing me she diagnosed me with vulvadynia. Her tips were as follows:

- massage vaseline at least twice a day into the vulvar where the pain is. If possible you could do it a few times a day. The more the better!
-increased my endep to 25mls each night - I was only 10mls to relief pain from endometriosis. Endep is the original antidepressant that it used more for pain relief these days. Beware though it does leave you drowsy the next day. In order for it to be effective as antidepressant you would need to take around 100-125ml a day.
- don't overly wash the vagina as it naturally cleans itself. I think I was overly cleaning it which was irritating the skin
- try to reduce stress as this could be contributing to your pain
- consider pelvic floor physio

In addition to her advice my doc said

- cotton underwear only. Now this is hard to find because even bonds don't make pure cotton but it's pretty close
- discontinue using soap for your vagina including femfresh. Use the sorbolene cream that has at least 10% glycerin
- do not wear pads unless you have your period as this can cause dermatitis
- use the sensitive washing powder - its quite expensive but this is important as you don't want to be washing chemicals on your underwear which is then touching your vagina
- use unbleached toilet paper which is free of chemicals
- avoid tight clothing including tights. I bought the tight things that go up to the top of your leg

The dermatologist's advice of using the Vaseline and massaging this into the vulvar was quite shocking and I looked at her with a 'huh' kind of look! However, I have been doing this for 5 days and my pain has decreased. Still not heeled but certainly has helped. I guess it's like when you have a knot in your back and you get a massage to get rid of it...guess its kind of the same thing really it's about massaging your nerve endings. In the beginning it hurts but it does get easier. Be gentle though dont push yourself. The dermatologist has asked to see me again in 3 months but she is hopeful the above techniques will help me greatly.

Fingers crossed and I hope I'm not jinxing myself but I just hope that this info could help other people, even one person would be great because I know how debilitating it can be.

Take care guys

Hi - thank you so much for your advice.
I have had V for almost 40 years now and by trial and error I just wanted to share:
There are two things I think you should be careful of.
The Endep may work initially, but it stops working after a while. It makes you put on weight and also makes you stop feeling anything. When I was on it, I could hear a really funny joke and would not crack a smile. Not a good way to live. And it did nothing to soothe my V.
And also putting vaseline/petroleum jelly on the area may feel good initially, but it is not a natural product and will make things worse long term. From trial and error, coconut oil (organic) or even olive oil are much better. For soothing and as a lubricant.
Diet plays a huge part in all of this as well - at the moment I am in the process of changing everything in my diet.
Gluten free, Dairy free, sugar free and low alkaline.
Good luck on your journey.
Hugs,
Charmaine xxx

Also, to add. I was freaked out to gain weight or have any more awful side effects from oral pills (antidepressants, pain killers, etc). I told my doctor my fear of this (I am a zumba instructor and work out 4-5 days a week plus horseback ride) I can't be gaining weight, especially after I work so hard to keep it off Plus I'm used to V why would I want to complicate it with anything worse or more ugh!

He mentioned that if you use a topical it absorbs thru the skin wall and not thru your liver which is where all the crazy side effects happen. I have been on a gabapentin, ami (whatever that antidepressant is) and lidocaine compound for a week now and have zero symptoms from the meds and it's helped. Ask for a topical compound, it's so much better! Be careful with the pills it can make things so much worse, and pain killers work for a bit and than your body adjusts. At least that's what I have found :/